Metallica Members Play National Anthem, Throw First Pitch At The San Francisco Giants' "Metallica Night" [Video]

On Friday, the San Francisco Giants celebrated their seventh annual “Metallica Night” at their home field, Oracle Park during a game against the New York Yankees. Metallica, a group of metal “giants” in their own right, has called San Francisco home for the majority of their decades-long career.

The band was on hand to help celebrate the tradition. First, guitarists James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett took the pitchers mound clad in Giants jerseys to perform the traditional pre-game rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” in instrumental metal fashion on gear decked out in Giants orange and black. You can watch a close-up video of Hetfield and Hammett’s National Anthem performance below:

James Hetfield & Kirk Hammett of Metallica Play “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Oracle Park

[Video: MetallicaTV]

Once Hetfield and Hammett finished their dual-guitar version of “The Star-Spangled Banner”, drummer Lars Ulrich took the field to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. The band also announced the teams’ starting lineups. You can watch a clip of the full opening ceremony featuring members of Metallica below:

James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett Play National Anthem, Lars Ulrich Throws First Pitch at Oracle Park

[Video: NJ.com]

As Blabbermouth reports, the San Francisco Giants-themed guitars used by Hetfield and Hammett for the anthem were each signed by the entire band and will be raffled off for charity.

In May, Metallica will head out on an extensive European tour. For a full list of Metallica’s upcoming tour dates, head to the band’s website here.

[H/T Rolling Stone]