Metallica has presented a new collaboration with Vans, arriving just in time to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Black Album & Sad But True. The celebratory capsule introduces new designs of the Sk8-Hi and Classic Slip-On silhouettes, with artwork from Metallica’s frequent collaborator Pushead.
METALLICA’s self-titled, fifth studio album was originally released in August of 1991 and has sold over 30 million copies worldwide and spent over 580 consecutive weeks atop the music charts. Vans and METALLICA have been long-time partners and collaborators, the band having performed at House Of Vans London in 2016 and released three previous footwear and apparel collaborations over the last decade. This July, METALLICA and Vans once again join forces to release two footwear silhouettes, which feature artwork created by Pushead, who has provided iconic imagery and artwork for the band’s tour books, t-shirts and stages since 1986. Pushead’s “Sad But True” design is synonymous with the entire “Black Album” era; his twin skulls travelled the world, displayed on banners on each side of the stage while METALLICA performed.
Pushead’s signature “Sad But True” design is associated with Metallica’s Black Album era, with the twin skulls artwork appearing as part of the band’s set design as they toured the world. The facing skulls appear on the two silhouettes, including their use on the quarter panels on the Sk8-Hi. The Classic Slip-On, on the other hand, places them on opposing shoes. Other features of the collaboration include a graphic blue shatter design, silver Metallica branding and a printed Metallica logo on the heel stay.
The two Metallica x Vans silhouettes are due to release for Vans family members on July 25, before hitting the Metallica web store a day later. As Sad but True song says; Pay (Pay), pay the price, pay for nothing’s fair!