Today, August 21, 2025, marks the 10th anniversary of the release of GHOST’s Meliora, and with it the announcement of an array of limited edition double vinyl variants to be released October 17th and available for pre-order now at https://ghost-official.com/meliora/
GHOST’s classic third studio album, Meliora is packed with fan-favorite tracks that have been raising tens of thousands of voices in unison nightly on the band’s current SKELETOUR WORLD TOUR 2025 including “He Is,” “Mummy Dust,” “Spirit,” and 2015 Best Metal Performance GRAMMY winner “Cirice.” From GHOST’s Papa Emeritus III era, Meliora’s themes explore humanity’s pursuit of progress and its potential consequences, often in dystopian or futuristic context. The special 10th anniversary edition of Meliora arrives October 17th as a deluxe 15-song 2xLP featuring the RIAA-certified platinum single “Square Hammer,” pressed on color vinyl and packaged in a double wide spine jacket — and including a commemorative Papa III Mummy Dust buck.
Peter McPoland returns today with his latest single “Last Looks,” a sweet, acoustic song that feels intimate in its simplicity. McPoland’s first offering since the December 2024 release of Friend, “Last Looks” was written in a lonely greenroom in Omaha, Nebraska, and first performed an hour later to a room of mesmerized fans that have since been impatiently awaiting its arrival. Listen HERE.
In the true spirit of DIY, “Last Looks,” and its accompanying music video were forged solely by McPoland himself. The song itself was written, produced, performed, engineered, and mixed by Peter on reel-to-reel tape – a process that McPoland learned concurrent to recording. The video was similarly created over a two-day period in Peter’s own home studio – displaying equal measures of intention and playfulness. The handcrafted claymation video showcases McPoland’s true passion for nurturing art from the initial spark of an idea to the final product – even if it means learning multiple new skills in the process.
“Last Looks” is laced with the introspective lyrics, entrancing vocals, and enthralling melodies that have defined previous McPoland gems including “Digital Silence,” “Romeo & Juliet” and “Shit Show” – all of which have accumulated streams in the tens of millions. Perhaps McPoland’s most mature composition to date, “Last Looks” hints at a new era for the artist. With lyrics offering insight into the workings of a young and quickly rising artist, listeners can not help but yearn for more from the mind of McPoland. And for fans with attention to detail, there may be clues within the video for what lies ahead….
No Backstage at Maxwell’s is an electrifying new feature documentary that dives deep into the history of Maxwell’s, the unassuming Hoboken bar that became one of the most influential indie rock venues in America. Hosting everyone from REM, Sonic Youth, Nirvana, and Yo La Tengo to The Replacements and Hüsker Dü, Maxwell’s was opened by Steve Fallon and later owned and operated by Todd Abramson. This tight, sweaty, no-frills club served as a launchpad for post-punk, college rock, and the burgeoning alternative scene— and countless underground legends.
The production is actively seeking fan photos and video footage from fans, former patrons, and bands who played Maxwell’s across its storied run. Any and all submissions are welcome – nothing is considered too raw or unprofessional – it’s all part of history.
Directed by Paul Rachman (American Hardcore), and produced by former music industry executive Claudia Sullivan, a long-time fan and patron, the film brings the spirit of Maxwell’s to life through rare archival footage, vivid photography, and intimate interviews with the owners, musicians, bartenders, and die-hard fans who made it a cultural touchstone. It’s a gritty, passionate love letter to the DIY ethos and the power of small venues to incubate big movements.
“Maxwell’s wasn’t just a club—it was a community. It was a proving ground,” said Rachman. “It was where music scenes collided, friendships were forged, and bands found both their audience and their soul” Producer Sullivan added, “Your memories could help preserve the legacy of this legendary space for generations to come. We’re asking for help from those who lived it.”
For music lovers, punk/indie/alternative rock historians, and documentary fans alike, No Backstage at Maxwell’s is a thrilling and heartfelt chronicle of a time and place that played an irreplaceable role in shaping the sound of independent America.
RADIOHEAD ANNOUNCE NEW HAIL TO THE THIEF LIVE ALBUM
HAIL TO THE THIEF LIVE RECORDINGS 2003 – 2009 IS OUT DIGITALLY TODAY AND PHYSICALLY ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 31ST
WATCH A LIVE VERSION OF “THERE, THERE” FROM BUENOS AIRES HERE
Radiohead have today announced Hail to the Thief Live Recordings 2003-2009 – a new live album that allowed the band to re-evaluate their relationship with their 6th studio album, Hail To The Thief. The band have also shared a live video performance of “There, There” from Buenos Aires, taken from the album – watch here.
Out now digitally, and available to pre-order as a one-off pressing, released on October 31st, the album comprises performances of songs in London, Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, and Dublin between 2003 and 2009. The album was mixed by Ben Baptie and mastered by Matt Colton.
Speaking about the new live album, Thom Yorke says:
“In the process of thinking of how to build arrangements for the Shakespeare Hamlet/Hail To The Thief theatre production, I asked to hear some archive live recordings of the songs. I was shocked by the kind of energy behind the way we played. I barely recognised us, and it helped me find a way forward. We decided to get these live recordings mixed and released (it would have been insane to keep them for ourselves). It has all been a very cathartic process. We very much hope you enjoy them.”
The one-off vinyl pressing is also available in a limited-edition red colorway from independent stores and on cyan-colored vinyl, exclusively from Radiohead’s W.A.S.T.E. store.
Thom Yorke recently co-created the critically acclaimed Hamlet Hail to the Thief, a frenetic adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, set to a deconstructed score of reworked songs from 2003’s Hail to the Thief. Rolling Stone UK said of the new production, “The biggest testament to Yorke and his co-writers that these worlds collide so seamlessly, as if they were always meant to be together.”
Hail To The Thief Live Recordings 2003-2009
Side A
2 + 2 = 5 Sit Down. Stand Up Sail to the Moon Go to Sleep Where I End and You Begin We Suck Young Blood
Side B
The Gloaming There, There I Will Myxomatosis Scatterbrain A Wolf at the Door
“Fernando Frías de la Parra, one of the most exciting filmmakers working today, uses the band’s 2023 Mexico City concerts to ruminate about art, celebrity, and death.”— NEW YORK Magazine
“The connection between death and music is real. At least in the vision of Fernando Frías … Longtime fans of Depeche Mode will relish the vibrant performances… While the theme of mortality is threaded throughout the film, it is also balanced with hope, appreciation and more than a dab of realism.”— USA TODAY
Following a rapturous reception at this year’s Tribeca Festival, Depeche Mode, along with Trafalgar Releasing and Sony Music Vision, announce the release of the feature film DEPECHE MODE: M, coming to cinemas and IMAX worldwide for a limited theatrical event beginning Tuesday, October 28th. The film is expected to screen in 2,500+ cinemas in more than 60 countries, giving fans the world over the opportunity to join Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, director Fernando Frias and co. on this unique cinematic journey into the heart of Mexican culture’s relationship with death, framed by the iconic live performances of Depeche Mode.
Tickets for DEPECHE MODE: M will go on sale from September 17th at www.DepecheModeM.com where fans can sign up for event alerts.
Conceived and directed by award-winning Mexican filmmaker Fernando Frias, DEPECHE MODE: M is an expressive and dynamic cinematic experience built around footage from the band’s three sold-out Mexico City Foro Sol Stadium shows on the 2023-2024 Memento Mori Tour. The feature-length film takes audiences on a musical and spiritual journey, as the songs resonate in real time with fans, illustrating their timeless multi-cultural influence while delving into the profound connection between music, mortality, and Mexican tradition.
“At its core, our new film ‘M’ is about the deep connection between music, culture, and people—and Fernando Frías, who directed and conceived the film, did a beautiful job telling that story that through the lens of Mexican culture and our shows in Mexico City,” said Dave Gahan.
Through Frias’ creative lens, DEPECHE MODE: M explores the parallels between the themes on Depeche Mode’s latest album Memento Mori and the deep connection to death and mortality in Mexican culture. Frias is best known for his award-winning film I’m No Longer Here, which won Mexico’s prestigious Ariel Academy Awards with 10 wins, including Best Picture and Best Direction. The film also earned Frias a DGA nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement. Additionally, it was Mexico’s submission to the Oscars in 2021 and was shortlisted for Best International Feature. His latest film, I Don’t Expect Anyone to Believe Me, premiered to critical acclaim.
“We’re proud to continue our longstanding collaboration with Sony Music Vision and IMAX to bring DEPECHE MODE: M to audiences worldwide in October,” said Marc Allenby, CEO, Trafalgar Releasing. “This cinematic experience is a perfect celebration of the Memento Mori Tour and the deep connection Depeche Mode has with their global fanbase.”
Depeche Mode’s Memento Mori Tour saw the band play to more than 3 million fans at 112 shows around the world and was hailed by Rolling Stone as “a stunning celebration of life and music.” The tour followed Depeche Mode’s 15th studio album, Memento Mori, released in 2023 to wide critical acclaim. An indelible inspiration to fans, critics and artists alike, Depeche Mode continues to forge ahead, with the Memento Mori album and tour representing the latest chapter of a peerless and ongoing legacy.
ABOUT TRAFALGAR RELEASING Trafalgar Releasing is the global leader in event cinema distribution, connecting fans through unforgettable cinematic experiences in over 15,000 theaters across 132 countries. A subsidiary of Trafalgar Entertainment, the company specializes in the production, acquisition, marketing, and worldwide distribution of live and pre-recorded content to cinemas. Trafalgar Releasing’s diverse slate spans chart-topping concert films and live concert broadcasts, award-winning theatre, acclaimed opera, dance, television, podcasts, and music documentaries—featuring some of the biggest names in entertainment including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, BTS, Metallica, Pink Floyd, Coldplay, Billie Eilish, The Chosen and the Royal Ballet and Opera. For more information, visit www.trafalgar-releasing.com.
ABOUT IMAX CORPORATION IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture, and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you’ve never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX systems to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, making IMAX’s network among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.
IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles, with additional offices in London, Dublin, Tokyo, and Shanghai. As of June 30, 2025, there were 1,821 IMAX systems (1,750 commercial multiplexes, 11 commercial destinations, 60 institutional) operating in 89 countries and territories. Shares of IMAX China Holding, Inc., a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code “1970”.
IMAX®, IMAX 3D®, Experience It In IMAX®, The IMAX Experience®, DMR®, Filmed For IMAX®, IMAX Live®, IMAX Enhanced® and IMAX StreamSmartTM are trademarks and trade names of the Company or its subsidiaries that are registered or otherwise protected under laws of various jurisdictions. For more information, visit www.imax.com. You can also connect with IMAX on Instagram (www.instagram.com/imax), Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/imax), X (www.twitter.com/imax), and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies). ABOUT SONY MUSIC VISION At Sony Music Vision, we bring film and television storytelling to life for our industry-leading creative talent and iconic music catalog around the world. We pair world class filmmakers with groundbreaking and legendary artists to create, finance, produce and distribute powerful content that features unique access to our archives and vast portfolio of music. A full-service content studio, we collaborate globally across the Sony entertainment companies to engage audiences with premium film and TV projects, including documentary and narrative feature films, as well as television specials and unscripted and scripted series.
Danger Mouse and MorMor have shared a mesmerizing new single “Wonder,” their first collaboration together. Listen HERE.
“Wonder” is co-written by Danger Mouse and MorMor, produced by Danger Mouse, and released on 30th Century Records.
Created spontaneously from scratch during an impromptu studio session, “Wonder” draws equally from Danger Mouse’s formative years spent listening to new wave music as it does from the childhood soundtrack of soul provided by his parents’ record collection. Together, with MorMor’s musicianship and beguiling vocals, the pair have made this unlikely yet alchemic blend of musical styles a lush reality.
Reflecting on the genesis of the song, MorMor says: “My relationship with Danger Mouse started when he invited me to meet and play music. From time to time we’d hang out and listen to records or watch films; not necessarily making music – I think we were both seeing if we could find an intersection where it’d make sense to pursue an idea. “Wonder “came from exactly that.”
Danger Mouse (Brian Burton) is one of the most versatile and prolific talents in modern-day music. His wide-ranging endeavors include; Broken Bells and Gnarls Barkley, collaborative albums with Karen O, Black Thought and MF DOOM; production for A$AP Rocky, Gorillaz, Adele, U2, Michael Kiwanuka and more; plus helming his own label, 30th Century Records. He is a twenty-two-time Grammy nominee and a six-time Grammy winner.
MorMor (Seth Zara Nyquist) is celebrated for his introspective blend of indie pop, R&B, and dreamlike synth textures. A self-taught multi-instrumentalist, MorMor crafts emotionally rich soundscapes marked by vulnerability and sonic depth. “Wonder” is MorMor’s first release since his 2022 debut album, Semblance.
New opportunity to score exclusive Metallica merch by coming to give blood across the U.S. with the American Red Cross
Metallica, Red Cross encourage fans to “Give Where You Live”
In an effort to help save even more lives through blood donation for patients in need, Metallica is expanding their recent partnership with the American Red Cross beyond M72 U.S. tour locations – now launching the Give Where You Live campaign.
Those who sign up to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/Metallica to make their appointment − and then come to give between July 29, 2025, and Feb. 28, 2026, at any Red Cross blood drive across the U.S. − will be entered to win a one-of-a-kind ESP Snakebyte guitar, featuring the exclusive Red Cross x Metallica design created by famed Metallica artist, Squindo, and personally autographed by all Metallica band members. Those who come to give July 29, 2025, to Feb. 28, 2026, after signing up to donate through RedCrossBlood.org/Metallica will also get a limited-edition T-shirt by mail, while supplies last.
This new opportunity is a continuation of the impact Metallica fans have made over the past few months. In April, a series of Red Cross x Metallica blood drives kicked off in select locations along the U.S. leg of the M72 World Tour. Since then, members of the Metallica Family have come out to blood drives in full force, ready to roll up a sleeve and help patients counting on critical care. More than 2,000 blood and platelet donations were collected through this lifesaving partnership. Each blood donation can help save more than one life.
“The difference Metallica and their fans have made shows the commitment of the band and their community to patients in need. This partnership has resonated not only with our regular blood donors, but those who have been moved to donate for the first time,” said Darren Irby, executive director of national partnerships for the Red Cross. “The need for blood is ongoing and we are thrilled to continue to offer a brand new, exclusive thank-you to Metallica fans who want to make a difference for those all across our country facing traumatic injuries or chronic illness and need blood to feel better or celebrate another day of life.”
Formed in 1981 by vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich and including guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo, Metallica has become one of the most influential and successful rock bands in history, selling nearly 125 million albums worldwide and generating more than 17 billion streams while playing to millions of fans on all seven continents—more than 1.3 million of whom belong to the band’s fiercely loyal and consistently growing Fifth Member fan club. Metallica’s catalog of multi-platinum studio albums includes Kill ’Em All, Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, …And Justice for All, Metallica (commonly referred to as The Black Album), Load, ReLoad, St. Anger, Death Magnetic, Hardwired…To Self-Destruct, and most recently, the Grammy-winning 72 Seasons, released April 14, 2023, on the band’s own Blackened Recordings label. Metallica’s awards and accolades include nine Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, multiple MTV Video Music Awards, a 2009 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and Sweden’s Polar Music Prize.
About All Within My Hands
In 2017, Metallica established their foundation, All Within My Hands, to give back to communities that have supported the band. Since its inception, All Within My Hands’ collective efforts have raised more than $20 million. The foundation has provided $11.4 million in grants for workforce education, $7.4 million to fight hunger globally, and $5.2 million donated to critical local services worldwide.
About ESP Guitars
Since 1975, ESP has created numerous iconic instruments for legendary players spanning every genre of music. Decades of experience in designing and manufacturing guitars and basses allow ESP to provide the very best options for you as a player. Every guitar that bears the ESP name undergoes a careful and rigorous process of quality control and craftsmanship that culminates in some of the finest instruments on the planet.
In the wake of the incredible reaction and overwhelming demand generated by its first 19 shows, Paul McCartney’s Got Back Tour has added an October 25th headline at San Antonio, TX’s Alamodome to its wildly anticipated North American itinerary.
The Alamodome announcement brings Got Back’s 2025 run to a total of 20 dates marking Paul’s first extensive series of shows across the US and Canada since 2022. The tour kicks off September 29th with Paul’s Greater Palm Springs area live debut at Acrisure Arena and runs through to a November 24-25th finale at the United Center in Chicago. Got Back 2025 will feature Paul’s long-awaited return to Las Vegas, Denver, Des Moines, Minneapolis, Tulsa, San Antonio, New Orleans, Atlanta, Nashville, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Montreal, and Hamilton – plus a few cities that will be hosting their first-ever Paul McCartney concerts, Albuquerque and the aforementioned Greater Palm Springs area.
General on sale for Paul McCartney at the Alamodome will begin Friday, August 1 at 10am local time. For further information, pre-sales etc., check paulmccartneygotback.com.
Irrefutably one of the most successful and influential singer-songwriters and performers of all time, McCartney’s concerts bring to life the most beloved catalogue in music. With songs like “Hey Jude,” “Live and Let Die,” “Band on the Run,” “Let It Be” and so many more, the Paul McCartney live experience is everything any music lover could ever want from a rock show and more: hours of the greatest moments from the last 60 years of music – dozens of songs from Paul’s solo, Wings and of course Beatles songbooks that have formed the soundtracks of our lives.
Paul McCartney launched his Got Back tour in 2022 with16 sold out shows across the US that led up to his history-making set at Glastonbury in June 2022. In 2023 Paul performed 18 shows as Got Back rocked through Australia, Mexico and Brazil. In 2024, Paul amazed capacity crowds at more than 20 dates spanning from South America and Mexico to the UK and Europe.
Paul McCartney’s live shows have continued to wow fans and inspire new levels of acclaim from critics the world over, with recent raves from the U.S. media including:
“Seeing Paul McCartney live remains a bit of a religious experience”— BILLBOARD
“Remarkable… This is the magic trick I was talking about, something The Beatles mastered before anyone else: to be pure showbiz and shockingly new at the same time, to know your biz completely and still, somehow, not be bored… To make genius look effortless, funny and fun… he played piano, bass, guitar and ukulele; he spun out indelible riffs without fuss or fanfare, and when he rolled up his sleeves and leaned into the innuendo of ‘Let Me Roll It,’ the years fell away and his hyper-competence turned into that swag, an unfaded allure.”— NPR
“These songs appear to have a restorative effect on McCartney, as if he draws from the same well of youthful energy and happy memories that all Beatle fans do upon hearing their music… No wonder he never stops. Neither have his fans, who seem to grow younger every year.”— PEOPLE
“It was among the most touchingly normal miracles I’ve ever experienced… ‘Some of us have to get some sleep, you know,’ McCartney said, after ‘Let It Be.’ But he didn’t look like an old man in need of sleep. He looked like Paul McCartney. Forever returning for another curtain call, another formal bow before the crowd, a man soaking in the energy emitted by fans like a cat in the sun.” — PITCHFORK
“Everybody in the room was having the night of our lives — but nobody was having more fun than Paul… all boyish energy and vigor… it was devastatingly powerful to hear Paul sing ‘Now and Then’ in the city where John wrote it, bringing it all back home. It was a moment that felt intensely private — as if we were eavesdropping on the two of them — yet massive… the whole show was a joyful explosion”— ROLLING STONE
“An icon among icons… a vision of graceful nonchalance”— USA TODAY
“As always, McCartney switched between bass, guitar and piano, and he was in strong voice, hitting essential high notes with ease… a once-in-a-lifetime moment”— VARIETY
Paul and his band have performed in an unparalleled range of venues and locations worldwide: From outside the Colosseum in Rome, Moscow’s Red Square, Buckingham Palace, The White House and a free show in Mexico for over 400,000 people to the last ever show at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park where The Beatles played their final concert in 1966, a 2016 week in the California desert that included two headline sets at the historic Desert Trip festival and a jam-packed club gig for a few hundred lucky fans at Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, two Glastonbury Festival headline slots, rocking the Bowery in New York City for a week of spontaneous club shows, and even one performance broadcast live into Space!
Featuring Paul’s longtime band – Paul “Wix” Wickens (keyboards), Brian Ray (bass/guitar), Rusty Anderson (guitar) and Abe Laboriel Jr (drums) – and constantly upgraded state of the art audio and video technology that ensures an unforgettable experience from every seat in the house, a Paul McCartney concert is never anything short of life-changing. The Got Back Tour also features the Hot City Horns — Mike Davis (trumpet), Kenji Fenton (saxes) and Paul Burton (trombone) — who first joined Paul in 2018 to perform at Grand Central Station ahead of embarking on the Freshen Up World Tour in the same year.
PAUL McCARTNEY – GOT BACK 2025
September 29 — Palm Desert, CA — Acrisure Arena October 4 – Las Vegas, NV — Allegiant Stadium October 7 – Albuquerque, NM — Isleta Amphitheater October 11 – Denver, CO — Coors Field October 14 – Des Moines, IA — Casey’s Center October 17 – Minneapolis, MN — U.S. Bank Stadium October 22 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center October 25 – San Antonio, TX – Alamodome October 29 – New Orleans, LA — Smoothie King Center November 2 – Atlanta, GA — State Farm Arena November 3 – Atlanta, GA — State Farm Arena November 6 – Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle November 8 – Columbus, OH — Nationwide Arena November 11 – Pittsburgh, PA — PPG Paints Arena November 14 – Buffalo, NY — KeyBank Center November 17 – Montreal, QC — Bell Centre November 18 – Montreal, QC — Bell Centre November 21 – Hamilton, ON – TD Coliseum November 24 – Chicago, IL — United Center November 25 – Chicago, IL — United Center
For further information or inquiries please contact:
C.Y.M., the duo comprised of Chris Baio (Vampire Weekend, Baio) and Michael Greene (Fort Romeau), has released the eclectic and irresistible “Justify” and “Catania.” Both songs are available to stream across digital platforms via C.Y.M.’s own Roma Recordings. “Justify” and “Catania” are the first two songs released since C.Y.M.’s 2019 self-titled EP. They can be heard here: http://lnk.to/justifycatania
“Justify / Catania” is the first taste of a journey that began in January 2020. This journey involves many places (Los Angeles, London, Glasgow, Paris & Lagos) and many extremely talented collaborators (we’ll be telling you all about them soon). There’s a long road ahead, for now we hope you enjoy the beginning of this ride.– Chris & Michael
C.Y.M. is the result of two friends united in their encyclopedic and impeccable musical tastes, honing their vast and varied well of knowledge into an entirely new sound. With inspiration from krautrock, shoegaze, indie, industrial and soul — and throw in an obsession with Italy — C.Y.M. prove what sounds impossible on paper can, in the right hands, make for masterful song craft.
“Justify” and “Catania” were written, recorded, and produced by Greene and Baio and mixed by David Wrench (Frank Ocean, blur, Jamie XX, Caribou). “Catania” features an assist from saxophone visionary Colin Killalea. The two songs mark the first music from C.Y.M. since their 2019 self-titled debut EP.
Both songs can be heard with accompanying visuals by Collin Fletcher (Yves Tumor, Kali Malone) when streaming HERE
Metallica Scholars Initiative National Workforce Education Program Expands to 75 Schools
Year 7 is the largest grant to date, with $3M committed; University of Southern California (USC) Research Determines Metallica Scholars Initiative Provides 8X Median Return on Investment (ROI)
All Within My Hands (AWMH), the non-profit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica, proudly announces Year 7 of its Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) with its largest grant to date, totaling approximately $3M. Fifteen new schools will join our MSI community in the fall, with each new school receiving $75,000 to enhance the student experience within career and technical education programs. The Metallica Scholars Initiative now has a presence in 75 colleges across all 50 United States and the territory of Guam, and is expected to reach approximately 10,000 students. AWMH continues to work closely with its long-time partner, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), on the Initiative.
“I could not be any prouder of our Metallica Scholars. We know that our country needs millions of skilled tradespeople, and it warms my heart to know that our Foundation’s efforts are making a positive impact and putting hard-working people on the path to careers in the trades. Whether it’s a school visit or a meet and greet before a show, there is no better feeling than meeting our Metallica Scholars in person and hearing their stories of grit and determination firsthand, along with their pride and commitment. It is truly inspiring. To think we started with a few schools and a couple hundred students, and we’re now in 75 schools nationwide, about to reach 10,000 students. It’s just incredible.” – Robert Trujillo
Launched in 2019 by All Within My Hands in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges, MSI began with 10 colleges focused primarily on Manufacturing programs. The workforce initiative has since expanded to offer opportunities in diverse fields for students interested in gaining the skills and training necessary to establish meaningful careers that provide family-sustaining wages. Additional curricula in Year 7 include Air Traffic Control, Agricultural Technologies, Fire Technologies, and AI, coupled with conventional trades such as Construction, Welding, Commercial Driving Licensing, and Advanced Manufacturing. To date, AWMH has invested over $13.5M in the American workforce.
To evaluate the program’s efficacy, the University of Southern California (USC) Sol Price School of Public Policy independently researched and quantified MSI’s impact on the skilled trades and the return on investment (ROI) earlier this year. The research extended into all Year 6 community colleges, covering more than 350 fields of study at these institutions, measuring the cost of completion and anticipated salaries post-graduation. The key observation is that the ROI – the ratio of a program’s cost to anticipated median wage – across all MSI-supported programs is a very high and cost-efficient 8.3X. This means that on average, MSI graduates can expect to earn 8.3X the upfront cost of their program during their first year in the workforce. Additionally, the research identified some of the fastest-growing and highest-paying fields of study that Metallica Scholars can pursue to achieve lucrative careers in the trades. Among the former are Information Security Analysts, Software Developers, and Occupational Therapy Assistants, while the latter includes Robotics and Mechatronics, Dental Hygienists, and Air Traffic Controllers.
“2025 is a watershed moment for the Metallica Scholars Initiative,” stated Peter Delgrosso, Executive Director, All Within My Hands. “With the addition of 15 new schools this fall and USC’s independent research articulating the strength of our results, we are eager to tackle the quantifiable shortage of skilled labor our nation faces. If we extrapolate these ROI numbers over a career, it demonstrates how effective and profitable learning a trade can be for the individual, and how society as a whole also benefits from community college graduates. This insight will profoundly affect MSI going forward, impacting how people view careers in the trades, encouraging more corporate and individual sponsorship, and driving its advancement across the country. We’re thrilled to incorporate these findings into this year’s planning and expansion.”
Year 7 also marks the renewal of our partnership with the Lowe’s Foundation, which has provided $1 million in support as part of its five-year, $50 million commitment to prepare 50,000 people for skilled trades careers.
It takes a village to achieve these results, including the continued support from many of our long-time corporate partners, notably workwear manufacturers Carhartt, Wolverine, and our newest partner, CNH, a global leader in agricultural and construction equipment. In addition to our corporate partners, we would like to thank our executive and advisory board members and, of course, the Metallica Family, who have staunchly supported AWMH from day one and worked tirelessly to advance our mission.
All Within My Hands (AWMH) is a non-profit, philanthropic organization conceived by the members and management of Metallica and dedicated to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services. 100% of donations go directly to local organizations that the Foundation supports. To date, All Within My Hands’ collective efforts have granted over $25M— providing $13.5M in grants to career and technical education programs, over $7.5M to combat food insecurity, and more than $5M to disaster relief efforts. To learn more about All Within My Hands, visit AllWithinMyHands.org and follow us on Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
About AACC
As the voice of the nation’s community colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) delivers educational and economic opportunity for more than 10 million diverse students in search of the American Dream. Uniquely dedicated to access and success for all students, AACC’s member colleges provide an on-ramp to degree attainment, skilled careers, and family-supporting wages. Located in Washington, D.C., AACC advocates for these not-for-profit, public-serving institutions to ensure they have the resources and support they need to deliver on the mission of increasing economic mobility for all https://www.aacc.nche.edu/
