Pipe dreams are being answered. Vans, the original skate shoe company, and Metallica, titans of heavy metal, have announced the creation of a special Metallica shoe line. The line will launch in October with a limited edition Vans x Metallica 20th Anniversary Half Cab Pro available in better skate shops everywhere.
“I’ve been wearing Vans on stage my whole freakin’ career, and way before that!” said Metallica bassist Rob Trujillo. “Whether I’m walking the streets of Venice or San Francisco, Vans provides the funk in my stride!” Vans skate legend and designer Steve Caballero added, “To have Metallica, my all-time favorite metal band, collaborating with me on this 20th anniversary Half Cab shoe is an honor and a dream come true. I’m very stoked that Vans is working with such a legendary band and the Half Cab is just the beginning.”
In early October, skate shops around the world will receive the latest release in the year-long celebration marking 20 years of the most popular skate shoe of all-time, Caballero’s signature Half Cab. The heavy-duty canvas and suede “black to the floor” Metallica edition of the Half Cab Pro features classic band lyrics embossed in the side, exclusive Vans x Metallica x Steve Caballero labeling and a unique clear rubber sole with Kill ‘Em All album artwork showing through.
The entire “Passion Project” collection will be made available exclusively to Met Club members in January prior to being
released to the general public. The collaboration will continue late this winter with two product drops: a four-piece “Passion Project” collection designed by each member of Metallica coming in February. In March, Vans and Metallica introduce Kill ‘Em All theme shoes featuring two of Vans’ all-time favorite styles, the Classic Slip-On and the Sk8-Hi, each emblazoned with artwork marking the 30 years since the release of Metallica’s debut album. To learn more about the Half Cab and where you can find the special Metallica edition, head over to www.vans.com/halfcab20.
Vans supports and promotes music through shoe and clothing collaborations with prolific musicians and by creating and staging innovative events like the Vans Warped Tour, Off the Wall Music Nights and concerts at the House of Vans in Brooklyn. Pearl Jam, Iron Maiden, Iggy Pop, Descendents, KISS, Social Distortion, No Doubt, Slayer and Millencolin are just some of the acts to have collaborated with Vans for memorable projects that suit the “Off The Wall” lifestyle.
Metallica have been touring relentlessly for the last 5 years. Their last record, 2008′s Death Magnetic, which saw the band return to form. Both heavy and thrashy, it’s a nice mix of …And Justice and Black Album. Magnetic debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200, and has since gone multi-platinum. It was nominated for five Grammy Awards, winning two of them (“Best Recording Package” and Best Metal Performance for “My Apocalypse”). Back in July, Metallica announced at a Mexico City Press Conference tentative plans to head into the studio in September to begin working on a new album. Currently, lead guitarist Kirk Hammett is on a book signing tour for his new horror book, Too Much Horror Business, which is available now via Abrams Books. – by Matt Bishop (Photos Courtesy of Vans and Metallica)
