Billabong Rocks Out with Metallica in New Collab

The collection’s original Oct. 22 launch date marked the 30th anniversary of Metallica’s self-titled 1991 album also known as ‘The Black Album’.

“For myself, the exhilaration of heavy metal and the exhilaration of riding a wave are one and the same,” says Kirk Hammett, lead guitarist, Metallica. “The new collaboration reflects this incredible feeling.”

Pieces in the Billabong x Metallica 2019-2020 collection will feature artwork from five of Metallica’s most popular albums  and include original concept art by artist Pushead. The collection will include t-shirts and long sleeve shirts crafted from 100% combed ring-spun cotton, boardshorts made from recycled plastics, hooded fleece, cotton corduroy jackets and full graphic-print neoprene

It’s not the first time Billabong joined forces with Metallica. In 2007, the surf brand enlisted James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo to create a collection featuring Andy Irons as the hero athlete. 

The relationship between Metallica and Andy Irons, who passed away in 2010, will also be celebrated in one of the new Billabong x Metallica 2019-2020 releases. A portion of the proceeds from that collection will help support the 

Andy Irons Foundation

 in its youth outreach efforts.

“We’re so excited to draw on Billabong’s long-time relationship with Metallica to celebrate their tremendous impact on surf culture through this premium collection,” adds Evan Slater, vice president global marketing, Billabong. “Combining Metallica’s genre-defining album artwork and Billabong LAB’s forward-thinking apparel and wetsuit designs adds up to something far greater than the sum of all parts. We’re blown away with the results.”