Metallica’s Robert Trujillo And Kirk Hammett Crush Death’s ‘Pull The Plug’ Live In Tampa (Video)

Metallica has incorporated a unique and evolving feature into their recent live shows, with guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo performing “doodles”—pared-down interpretations of songs by their musical heroes. These mid-show segments often celebrate local artists or delve into genres far removed from Metallica’s traditional metal sound.

During Metallica‘s June 8 concert at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo delivered a cover of “Pull The Plug” by Florida death metal pioneers Death. The performance garnered a positive reaction, with Terry Butler, who was Death‘s bassist when the original 1988 version was recorded for the Leprosy album, sharing his appreciation. Butler took to Facebook, stating: “Last night Rob & Kirk played a snippet of Pull the Plug !! Glad to see them give props !! It’s the thought that counts !! Pretty damn cool ! #death #chucklives.” You can watch the performance down below.

Earlier, during their April 26 show at Toronto’s Rogers Centre, the duo paid tribute to Canadian rock legends Rush with a performance of their instrumental classic “La Villa Strangiato.” Fan-filmed footage captured this moment, which showcased the spontaneous spirit of the segment.

Robert Trujillo explained the evolution of these “doodles” during a 2020 appearance on Avenged Sevenfold bassist Johnny Christ’s show, “Drinks With Johnny.” He revealed that the segment initially involved playing Metallica deep cuts, but this approach didn’t quite resonate with the audience. “We’d go up there and we’d start playing, like, ‘Eye Of The Beholder’ or something, and then the crowd’s expecting James [Hetfield] to come out and sing, and it’s, like, ‘Man, this ain’t working,’” Trujillo recalled. The turning point came when Hammett spontaneously played Chic‘s “Le Freak” one night. Trujillo remembered his reaction: “I’m, like, ‘Oh, damn. Okay, I see where he’s going.’… He got me the first night… And then the second night, I got it.” Since then, the doodles have become a tour highlight, offering Hammett and Trujillo an opportunity to explore diverse musical territories and engage with local audiences on a unique level. Trujillo described the experience, particularly covering songs in native languages during a European tour, as immensely rewarding.

The June 8 concert in Tampa, which included the Death tribute, featured a full Metallica setlist:

• “Whiplash“
• “For Whom the Bell Tolls“
• “Ride the Lightning“
• “The Memory Remains” (with extended band outro)
• “Lux Æterna“
• “Screaming Suicide“
• Kirk and Rob Doodle (“Phantom Lord” & “Pull the Plug” by Death)
• “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)“
• “Wherever I May Roam“
• “The Call of Ktulu“
• “The Unforgiven“
• “Whiskey in the Jar” ([traditional] cover) (preceded by “…And Justice For All” tease and Lars & Rob jam)
• “Battery”
• “Moth Into Flame“
• “One“
• “Enter Sandman“