SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Just when music fans thought they had seen every side of James Hetfield—the snarling frontman of Metallica and the “Riff Lord” of heavy metal—the veteran musician has traded his signature ESP guitar for a book of classic poetry. In a move that has delighted the “Metallica Family” worldwide, Hetfield released a surprise rendition of the 1823 holiday staple, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.
The recording debuted on Maximum Metallica, the band’s dedicated SiriusXM channel. Introduced by the singer under his beloved nickname, “Papa Het,” the performance offers a rare, cozy glimpse into the personality of a man usually associated with high-octane stadium anthems.
A Fireside Moment with Papa Het
“Grab your cocoa and settle in by the fire before your long winter’s nap for a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Papa Het,” the singer shared in a message accompanying the release.
To complement the audio, an official animated video was posted online, depicting a serene, warm fireplace adorned with four stockings—a likely nod to the four members of the band. As the fire crackles in the background, Hetfield’s gravelly, baritone voice rattles through the iconic lines: “’Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”
While the delivery maintains Hetfield’s commanding presence, it swaps the aggression of “Enter Sandman” for a fatherly warmth that fans have dubbed “the Christmas reading we never knew we needed.”
The Road Back to the UK
While Hetfield is currently embracing the holiday spirit, the gears of the Metallica machine are already turning for a massive 2026. The band’s presence in the United Kingdom has been a point of high anticipation since their last appearance in Birmingham in July 2025, where they participated in the historic Black Sabbath farewell show, Back To The Beginning.
British fans will not have to wait much longer for a full-scale headline experience. Metallica is set to return to the UK for a monumental double-header at London’s Olympic Stadium on July 3rd and 5th, 2026.
The M72 World Tour: No Repeats
These London dates are a cornerstone of the ongoing M72 World Tour, launched in support of their 2023 album, 72 Seasons. The tour has gained notoriety for its “No Repeat Weekend” format. The band has officially confirmed that for the two-night stand in London, they will not repeat a single song, ensuring two entirely unique setlists for the tens of thousands of fans in attendance.
This ambitious touring cycle previously swept through Europe in 2023, featuring two headline performances at the Download Festival. The 2026 leg marks an even grander return to the continent, with 16 shows scheduled across Europe next summer.
Whether he is reciting 19th-century poetry by a digital fire or commanding a stadium of 80,000 people, James Hetfield continues to prove that his influence extends far beyond the confines of thrash metal. For now, however, the “Master of Puppets” is content to be the Master of Christmas.