Joseph Quinn, the actor who portrays guitar-shredding metalhead Eddie Munson in the new season of Stranger Things, paid a visit to Metallica at Lollapalooza on Thursday (July 28). Quinn joined the band backstage ahead of their headlining set at the Chicago festival, where he chatted and jammed with the group. They obviously played “Master of Puppets,” Metallica’s 1986 single that Eddie Munson plays in the upside down during a the season finale of the series. Metallica also gifted Quinn a custom red and black electric guitar and signed it. Watch it all happen below via Netflix.
Prior to jamming, Metallica frontman James Hetfield expressed love for Stranger Things, calling himself “a big fan.” He added: “My kids and I, it’s a bonding experience for us.” Quinn then told Metallica about the process of learning “Master of Puppets” in preparation for the scene. (The actual guitar solo performed on the episode was recorded by Tye Trujillo, son of Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo.) “It’s all I was listening to for two years,” Quinn told the band. “I feel very connected to you guys.”
Following its inclusion in Stranger Things, “Master of Puppets” entered the Billboard Hot 100 (at No. 40) for the first time since its release 36 years ago. The surge of interest in the song followed the increased popularity of Kate Bush’s 1985 track “Running Up That Hill,” which was featured as a motif throughout the fourth season of the show. (It was also the favorite song of the character Max Mayfield, played by Sadie Sink.)
After the season finale aired, Metallica issued a statement thanking Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer for featuring “Master of Puppets” so prominently in the show. “It’s an incredible honor to be such a big part of Eddie’s journey and to once again be keeping company with all of the other amazing artists featured in the show,” the band wrote.
As they performed “Master of Puppets” during their set at Lollapalooza on Thursday, Metallica projected footage of Eddie Munson playing along in the upside down onto two massive screens above the stage.
Read “Stranger Things, Here Are 6 Songs That Should Soundtrack Your Final Season” over on the Pitch.
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