A Metallica tribute band got help from an unexpected source this week, when the members of the actual Metallica stepped in to help them replace a van full of stolen equipment. Washington-based cover band Blistered Earth had their van broken into in Portland last Saturday, with their entire kit—guitars, amps, drums, and more—vanishing into the night. The story made local news and then escalated from there, culminating in James Hetfield and company quietly replacing all the stolen stuff.
Metallica’s members haven’t commented publicly on the act of charity, but the members of Blistered Earth posted a public thank you to their musical heroes. Drummer Shawn Murphy noted that, in a way, Metallica was paying it forward, since the metal legends apparently suffered a similar robbery early in their career.