James Hetfield Narrates 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

In a festive surprise for fans, Metallica frontman James Hetfield has released a spoken-word narration of the classic holiday poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas," commonly known as "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." The four-minute recording debuted on December 19 on the band's SiriusXM channel, Maximum Metallica, and was later shared on YouTube and Instagram.

The poem, originally written in 1823 by Clement Clarke Moore as a gift for his children and first published anonymously in a New York newspaper, has become a cornerstone of Christmas traditions. Hetfield's version invites listeners to "grab your cocoa and settle in by the fire before your long winter's nap for a reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Papa Het," according to the band's message. Accompanying the online video is an animated scene of a crackling fireplace, with stockings hung for each band member: Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, bassist Robert Trujillo, and guitarist Kirk Hammett. In a nod to the group's heavy metal roots, an ominous fanged skull adorns the mantle amid holiday decorations.

Hetfield delivers the narration in his signature gruff voice, blending warmth and subtle intensity. Lines like "while...