The Metal Hall of Fame Rocks Anaheim, CA during NAMM Weekend Honoring the best of Metal musicians across all sub-genres.
This past weekend, Metalheads were out loud and proud, throwing up the horns for one of the most powerful genres of the last five decades at the 9th Annual Metal Hall of Fame Gala in Anaheim, CA. It was a truly unforgettable evening, filled with incredible moments that honored the icons of metal while supporting a cause close to everyone’s heart. Pat Gesualdo, President/CEO of the Metal Hall of Fame, kicked things off with a powerful message about the importance of this year’s event, emphasizing that proceeds from the celebrity auction would go toward helping those affected by the devastating Los Angeles County wildfires.
The induction ceremony was a true spectacle, with Darrell “Dimebag” Abbott honored in memoriam on the 20th anniversary of his
passing. Surprise guests paid tribute to the Pantera guitarist, whose legacy continues to inspire. Although Rikki Rockett, drummer for Poison, couldn’t attend due to the fires, his induction by SiriusXM’s Tommy London was still a loving moment. Other inductees included virtuoso guitarist Tony MacAlpine, the hard-hitting legends of Dangerous Toys, the raw energy of Life of Agony, and the legendary KNAC Radio, whose contributions to the metal scene cannot be overstated.
One of the coolest things (at least for me) was that prior to the show, in walking around in a fog from earlier events at NAMM and the incredible pre-party hosted the House of Blues, I was casually hanging out with lead vocalist of Tora Tora, Anthony Corder. The conversation was so casual that it didn’t dawn on me just who I was talking to because there was zero, “rockstar” pretense. If I was 1/100th as cool as Corder, I’d be lucky.
Other inductees included Arch Enemy’s powerhouse vocalist Alissa White-Gluz, Misfits’ horror-punk icon Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein, the relentless force of Cannibal Corpse, industrial metal pioneer Burton C. Bell of Fear Factory, and former Megadeth guitarist Jeff Young, now rocking with Kings of Thrash. Each of these legends brought their own signature impact on the genre, reminding everyone why they remain such an integral part of metal’s ongoing evolution.
The energy in the room was electric, where those who were planted in their seats, or rocking out by the bar, the night was pure Metal. Performances from Alibis and Wicked, along with surprise jams, is what made the night worth losing some Z’s over. For those who couldn’t be there in person, the Metal Hall of Fame Gala was streamed live on their Facebook page, giving fans worldwide the opportunity to witness the incredible moments of the night. And for anyone who missed it, the replay is available to catch up on all the action!
The evening also served a greater purpose, with a direct livestream link allowing fans to donate to the disaster relief fund for those impacted by the wildfires, helping these victims rebuild their lives. It was a night that celebrated not only the icons of metal but also the spirit of community that defines the genre.
Visit the Metal Hall of Fame official website at https://metalhalloffame.org/.
Catch the Gala replay or help with fund raising with links on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/officialmetalhalloffame/.
