Upworthy's book GOOD PEOPLE, now available - take a look!

Shop
 Explore 

metallica

Pop Culture

Watch an 11-year-old shred 'Master of Puppets' and give it a sitar-like riff on 'AGT'

This might be even better than the one from Stranger Things.

America's Got Talent/Youtube

Listen, Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” has always been cool. But ever since Eddie Munson played it to save his friends and become a heavy metal hero in “Stranger Things,” the song has had a resurgence.

But while tons of people have put their own spins on this badass tune, you’ve never heard a cover quite like this.

Maya Neelakantan, an 11-year-old guitar prodigy from India, previously wowed “America’s Got Talent” audiences with her rendition of Papa Roach’s “Last Resort” back in June.

But for her quarterfinals performance, she took things to the next level with this notoriously complicated thrash track. Surprisingly, this song had never been attempted before in the show’s history.

Not only did Neelakantan nail all the song’s technical aspects like a guitar virtuoso, she also added in a nod to her own culture with a raga-esque guitar riff reminiscent of a sitar.

Watch Maya Neelakantan blow “AGT” audiences away with her epic cover of “Master of Puppets” below:

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

Unsurprisingly, judges were blown away.

“I think you’re just one of these people that had a god given talent,” gushed Simon Cowell, who called this performance a real “step up” from her audition.

Meanwhile, Howie Mandel dubbed her “Eddie Van Halen, reincarnated.”

Down in the Youtube comments, online viewers were equally floored, especially given Neelakantan’s age. (Note: Neelakantan was 10 at the time of her ‘AGT’ audition, but has since turned the ripe old age of 11).

“Wow. This child is mature beyond her years - in her talent and conduct.”

“Bro a 10 year old shredding one of the most difficult pieces to shred EVER created is mfn INSANE. Maya KEEP ON SHREDDING LIL SIS WE LOVE YOU!!”

“I literally jumped out of my seat when I heard the first few notes. I love Metallica and I love this girl! I’m currently learning to play the electric guitar and she is a huge inspiration for me.”

“HOLY CRAP!!!!! She is 10 years old!?!?!? She is fricken fire 🔥🔥🔥🔥”

“MayaTallica!!”

According to her Wikipedia bio, Neelakantan first got her love of heavy metal from her father who also has a passion for Metallica riffs. With his help, she began playing at the age of 6, with her first song being "For Whom The Bell Tolls."

Despite being an overt Metallica fan, it was Neelakantan’s cover of "7empest" by Tool that thrust her into viral fame in 2022. It was even seen by Tool guitarist Adam Jones, who not only immediately followed her Instagram account, but also gifted her a Gibson electric guitar.

Neelakantan is also well studied in the traditional Carnatic music style commonly associated with South India, which she intentionally fuses with metal music to create something new.

"When I listen to thrash metal, I become pumped and energetic. Carnatic music, on the other hand, gives me a spiritual and divine feeling. The atmosphere would immediately change the moment Carnatic music is playing. So I wanted to merge them both. I really loved how music takes you on a journey,” she said.

And that’s exactly what you get when you listen to Neelakantan’s music. Something bombastic and heart pumping…and utterly divine. That’s metal, baby.

From Your Site Articles

music

Joy

People worried a dog was abandoned at a Metallica concert. Turns out she just wanted to jam.

To be fair, they were playing her favorite songs!

Laura Stanley|Canva and Ralphs_fotos|Canva

Dog runs away to go to Metallica concert across the street

Maybe all of those kids' movies that feature personified animals getting into very human-like mischief when their owners are away are based on true events. Sure, people have put GoPros on their pets and haven't captured any wild parties and secret conversations in a discernible language coming from their four-legged pet, but what if dogs understand more than we think and enjoy very human pleasures? Maybe some part of them is tuned into things they like that aren't expected from human's best friend.

A German Shepherd named Storm has certainly proven she's been paying close attention to what humans do. In fact, she even joined the audience of a concert without her owners knowing.

In Inglewood, California, Storm decided to take her furry self on a date since clearly, her owners missed the memo on Metallica being in town. She heard the band start playing and decided to sneak away to get a better listen.

Apparently, dogs don't need tickets or wristbands because Storm made her way into SoFi Stadium and took a seat to watch the show. People thought the poor dog was abandoned, but Metallica posted an update on their social media page explaining that Storm is just a big fan. The dog lives near the stadium and snuck out of her yard before making it to the concert.

"After a full night of taking in the show with her #MetallicaFamily, Storm was safely reunited with her actual family the next day. She had a great time listening to her favorite songs, including 'Barx Æterna,' 'Master of Puppies,' and 'The Mailman That Never Comes,'" Metallica wrote.

The band also reminded people that they shouldn't bring their dogs to a Metallica concert in case anyone got any ideas after seeing Storm jamming out.

— (@)

While Metallica is probably right in not bringing your dog to a heavy metal concert, it doesn't mean you can't make sure they appreciate your kind of music. Tell Alexa to turn the volume up to 10 and blast your favorite tunes while your dog watches you rock out on your air guitar in your living room. They've got to learn good music somehow. How else will they know what to play when they have their secret get togethers with the other neighborhood dogs?

From Your Site Articles

dog metallica concert

Heroes

After a Los Angeles street musician had his drums stolen, Metallica stepped in to save the day

via Wikimedia Commons and SheriffDrumman/Instagram

Metallica live in London in 2017 and Sheriff Drumman.

Anthony Eugene Sheriff, known to people across the Los Angeles area as Sheriff Drumman, had his life turned upside down last December when his truck and drum set were stolen at 4:30 a.m. outside his apartment in Hawthorne, California.

“When I got outside, I had a total panic attack,” Sheriff, 34, told the Los Angeles Times. “I fainted in front of my neighbors. I started screaming, I was calling for help like someone had shot me. It felt like the devastating news of a loved one being murdered.

“It means the world to me,” he said about his music. “Without drums, my life would have went a completely different way. There’s no other way to say it. It’s my therapy, it’s my fun, it’s my life.”

After his truck was stolen, Sheriff immediately took to social media to tell his followers to be on the lookout.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Sheriff Drumman (@sheriffdrumman)

Sheriff’s truck and drums weren’t just for transportation and self-expression, they were his livelihood. He built a special rig in his truck’s flatbed so that he can play drums while being driven all over town. They also allowed him to easily set up and play at Los Angeles Rams' tailgate parties and in shopping centers.

Sheriff was "discovered" at a gas station and subsequently made an appearance on "The Steve Harvey Show."

"I went to a part in my life and I said 'You know what? These drums is keeping me going,'" he told Harvey. "I said, why have a gift being able to do something and not be able to make money from it?"

During the pandemic, Sheriff was playing up to six gigs a day, getting paid $300 a for an hour's gig.

The truck also had sentimental value. Sheriff spent six years building the rig, handcrafting the metal supports and eye-catching #SheriffDrumman sign that hovers above the makeshift stage.

A few days after his truck went missing, it was located near train tracks on Slauson Avenue. But unfortunately, his drum kit and the elaborate setup he created to play on the truck’s flatbed were gone. Sheriff started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for the repairs he needed to get working again.

So far, the campaign has earned nearly $20,000.

Last week, Sheriff got a big help from people who understand the importance of music, Metallica. A representative from the legendary heavy metal band caught up with Sheriff in Hollywood and gave him a new drum set.

Videos on Sheriff’s Instagram page show that he did have a kit to play when he received the new set, but as any musician will tell you, one set of drums is never enough.

Sheriff couldn’t believe the band’s generosity. "Man, thank you guys so much," he said. "Thank you for taking the time and the resources to support and help what I do. I love you for that."

We're honored to be able to help out a fellow artist. Keep the music going, Sheriff Drumman!https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/sheriff-drumman-whose-drums-were-stolen-gets-new-set-thanks-to-metallica/2800734/\u00a0\u2026
— Metallica (@Metallica) 1642706537

Even though Metallica is known for songs such as “Creeping Death” and “Ride the Lightning,” it's touching to see they still have some love in their dark hearts to help out a fellow musician. Now, it would be great if Sheriff could post a video on his Instagram page of him playing a cover of Metallica's “Fight Fire With Fire.”

From Your Site Articles

A 17-year-old transgender boy got an unexpected shoutout during the Grammys.

Tasked with introducing Lady Gaga and Metallica's performance at the 2017 Grammy Awards, actress Laverne Cox used the opportunity to draw attention to a boy named Gavin Grimm.

"Everyone, please Google 'Gavin Grimm,'" the "Orange Is the New Black" star said on stage. "He’s going to the Supreme Court in March. #StandWithGavin."

Laverne Cox speaks onstage during the Grammy Awards on Feb. 12, 2017. Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images.

Who is Gavin Grimm?

He's a 17-year-old boy who sued a Virginia school board in 2015 after the school board barred him from using the boys' bathroom because he is transgender.

Just months away from his graduation, Grimm's case is scheduled to be heard by the Supreme Court next month. While the outcome is unlikely to affect him in his current situation at school, his battle represents a larger fight for the rights of transgender students.

Journalist Katie Couric (L) and Gavin Grimm attend National Geographic's world premiere screening of "Gender Revolution: A Journey With Katie Couric." Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for National Geographic.

Grimm's argument hinges on whether Title IX's sex discrimination provision includes gender identity.

The Obama administration argued that yes, it does. The Trump administration seems much less likely to go to bat for LGBTQ students, which means Grimm's case takes on another level of importance. In just his second day on the job, Trump's new Attorney General Jeff Sessions signaled that the administration would not be continuing the Obama-era defense of trans students.

A Supreme Court decision could provide some much-needed clarity on whether gender identity is protected under existing law. Without Sessions' Justice Department on working on behalf of LGBTQ people, a favorable ruling on Grimm's case from the Supreme Court would provide a little breathing room under an administration and Congress that are unlikely to take explicit efforts to create new laws or protections anytime soon.

Gavin Grimm and his mom Deidre. Photo from ACLU/YouTube.

LGBTQ people, allies, and organizations are following Cox's advice and using #StandWithGavin to show support on social media.

Let's face it, being a teenager is hard enough without having to go to the actual Supreme Court for the right just to use the bathroom. Yes, trans people should be allowed to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity. (We've covered this.) No, letting trans people use the bathroom that matches their gender identity won't lead to an increase in bathroom-related sexual assaults. (This has been thoroughly debunked.)

For two months, Grimm used his school's boys' bathroom without incident and with his principal's permission. Then the school board swooped in to single him out. That's not right, and these aren't the types of things students should have to worry about. Trans people just want to be able to exist in the world free from violence and stigma. Is that really so much to ask?

— (@)

metallica

Watch an 11-year-old shred 'Master of Puppets' and give it a sitar-like riff on 'AGT'

This might be even better than the one from Stranger Things.

Watch Maya Neelakantan blow “AGT” audiences away with her epic cover of “Master of Puppets” below:

People worried a dog was abandoned at a Metallica concert. Turns out she just wanted to jam.

To be fair, they were playing her favorite songs!

After a Los Angeles street musician had his drums stolen, Metallica stepped in to save the day

Who is Gavin Grimm and why did Laverne Cox tell Grammys viewers to google him?

A 17-year-old transgender boy got an unexpected shoutout during the Grammys.

Tasked with introducing Lady Gaga and Metallica's performance at the 2017 Grammy Awards, actress Laverne Cox used the opportunity to draw attention to a boy named Gavin Grimm.

Who is Gavin Grimm?

Grimm's argument hinges on whether Title IX's sex discrimination provision includes gender identity.

LGBTQ people, allies, and organizations are following Cox's advice and using #StandWithGavin to show support on social media.

To learn more about Grimm's case, check out this video from the American Civil Liberties Union, the group that will be representing him in court.

Astronaut shares the profound 'big lie' he realized after seeing the Earth from space

Psychologist shares 15-second trick to make kids of any age less rude and more cooperative

A story about two pairs of boots illustrates how rich people get richer in ways poor people can't

Surprising 16-year-long ADHD study reveals opposite of what researchers expected

She got a nasty note on her car for parking in a disabled spot. Her response is a vital read.

Sweden makes stunning decision to trademark its name to avoid confusion