Metallica performs national anthem before Game 4

Stanley Cup Final 2016: Metallica performs national anthem before Game 4 (Video)

SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 21: (L-R) Larry Trujillo, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich of Metallica receive San Jose Sharks jerseys at Metallica Night At The San Jose Sharks Game on January 21, 2015 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Steve Jennings/Getty Images for BB Gun) /

Metallica played an epic heavy metal rendition of the Star Spangled Banner before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.

On Sunday, the Golden State Warriors had legendary guitarist Carlos Santana perform the national anthem before Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Not a bad choice. But the San Jose Sharks decided to one up the Warriors by having the rock band Metallica give a rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner before taking on the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Lead singer James Hetfield and lead guitarist Kirk Hammet played an unforgettable instrumental version of the national anthem.

"METALLICAhttps://t.co/s6YCjX2IEG— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) June 7, 2016"

That’s up there with Jimi Hendrix’s beautiful rendition of the song. Certainly a great way to get the already electric atmosphere at the SAP Center even more pumped up for a pivotal Game 4 with the Sharks needing to win in order to tie the series.

Metallica is arguably the most popular rock band of the past 30 years. They single-handedly made heavy metal a mainstream genre. The band has won nine Grammy’s during their storied career. In 2009, they were named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. From the San Jose area, the band are proud fans of the Sharks and San Francisco Giants.

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