{"id":154776,"date":"2025-09-19T17:07:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T17:07:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/154776\/"},"modified":"2025-09-19T17:07:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T17:07:11","slug":"metallica-may-have-stolen-spinal-taps-album-art-but-the-comedy-metal-legends-arent-bitter-about-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/154776\/","title":{"rendered":"Metallica may have \u2018stolen\u2019 Spinal Tap\u2019s album art, but the comedy-metal legends aren\u2019t bitter about it"},"content":{"rendered":"

Metallica<\/a>\u2019s chart-topping, multi-Platinum-selling 1991 self-titled album may have an all-black cover strikingly similar to the soundtrack to 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, but Spinal Tap<\/a> insist they aren\u2019t upset about it.<\/p>\n

Talking exclusively in the current issue of Metal Hammer<\/a>, singer\/guitarist David St Hubbins (portrayed in the classic film, its new sequel Spinal Tap II: The End Continues and multimedia appearances by actor Michael McKean) downplays the idea of bad blood between his comedy-metal trio and Metallica, despite the two bands having a tense interaction<\/a> in 1992 documentary A Year And A Half In The Life Of Metallica.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve discussed that,\u201d St Hubbins says today of the \u2018infringement\u2019. \u201cThey say, \u2018It\u2019s a tribute!\u2019 Or Lars [Ulrich, drums] did, at least. James [Hetfield, vocals\/guitars] was heard to mutter something like, \u2018We just didn\u2019t have an idea.\u2019 But we\u2019ll take them at their word.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Iron\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future)<\/a><\/p>\n

St Hubbins goes on to be nothing but complimentary of the heavy metal<\/a> superstars: \u201cThey\u2019re lovely chaps and very clever \u2013 in very good shape, too. They certainly could be rocking into the next millennium \u2013 or metallicum, I guess you could call it.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

He then references Ulrich\u2019s cameo in Spinal Tap II, where the drummer shoots down the opportunity to play Spinal Tap\u2019s reunion show at the climax of the film.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe did interact with Lars a little bit; we had a panic about drummers while planning the New Orleans gig, but he was very kind in saying no,\u201d says the singer\/guitarist. \u201cSome no\u2019s can be very rude, like just hanging up on us, like one or two or maybe nine other drummers did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spinal Tap II was released to mixed-to-positive reviews on September 12. As well as McKean, fellow cast members Christopher Guest (who play lead guitarist Nigel Tufnell), Harry Shearer (bassist Derek Smalls) and Rob Reiner (fictitious documentarian Marty DiBergi) reprise their roles from the first film. Reiner also returns to the director chair, marking his first time directing a fiction film since 2017.<\/p>\n

Sign up below to get the latest from Metal Hammer, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n

Read the full interview with St Hubbins in the new Metal Hammer, which also features an in-depth oral history of Iron Maiden<\/a> as the band celebrate their 50th-anniversary, with interviews from bassist\/founder Steve Harris and longtime vocalist Bruce Dickinson. Order your copy now and get it delivered directly to your door. <\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Iron\n<\/p>\n

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