Weekly Recap: Nirvana, Kirk Hammett, Tom Morello, and more!

Kirk Hammett Declares "Leaving Metallica Is Not an Option" as He Approaches 62

Metallica's long-time guitarist Kirk Hammett is not slowing up, even as he approaches what most would consider retirement age, stating that he doesn't believe in retirement and considers playing music "a gift, a blessing and a privilege" that he simply can't walk away from.

The 62-year-old, who joined the band over forty years ago, is no less certain today than he was then that he's still rising to his creative peak and not declining like most musicians his age, and he credits this to the fact that he thinks he's improving and still has plenty of creative juice left in the tank – asserting that quitting Metallica is just not something on the cards.

Tom Morello to Headline Charity Concert Supporting LA Immigration Rights Protests

Rage Against The Machine member Tom Morello has issued a statement that he will headline a fundraiser for CHIRLA (The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights) to fund ongoing Los Angeles demonstrations against ICE activities.

The move is entirely in keeping with Morello's long history of activism and politically engaged performances, using his platform to promote immigration rights campaigns that dovetail with the social justice platforms that have informed both his solo work and his time with Rage Against The Machine.

Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" Reaches 2 Billion YouTube Views

Nirvana's generation-defining anthem "Smells Like Teen Spirit" has hit another massive milestone, reaching 2 billion views on YouTube just six years after crossing the 1 billion mark in 2019. The iconic music video, uploaded in 2009, continues to find new audiences decades after its release, proving that the song's rebellious spirit and cultural impact remain as powerful today as when it first helped launch the grunge movement – with over 13 million units sold worldwide, it's clear that each new generation discovers why this track became the soundtrack to teenage angst and helped change rock music forever.

Helloween Announces New Album "Giants & Monsters" with Japan-Inspired Single "This Is Tokyo"

German power metal stalwarts Helloween are gearing up for the next phase with Giants & Monsters, which dropped on August 29, and giving fans a taste of what's to come in the form of their new single "This Is Tokyo."

The track is the band's emotional love letter to Japan, a country that has always embraced Helloween's over-the-top metal aesthetic, showing that after all the years in the game, these veteran metallers are still finding fresh wellsprings of inspiration from their global fanbase and from the cultures that have brought their music to life throughout their career.