Wolf Hoffmann and Deep Purple’s Don Airey to Stage Metallica Tribute Show Ahead of Reverse 50th Anniversary Celebration…

Wolf Hoffmann and Deep Purple’s Don Airey to Stage Metallica Tribute Show Ahead of Reverse 50th Anniversary Celebration

 

Two titans of heavy metal—Wolf Hoffmann of Accept and Don Airey of Deep Purple—are teaming up for an electrifying Metallica tribute concert this month, setting the stage for what insiders are calling a “reverse celebration” of the genre’s 50th anniversary.

Set to take place in late July, the highly anticipated performance will showcase a reimagined take on Metallica’s iconic catalog. This won’t be just another tribute act—Hoffmann and Airey are planning a full-scale, genre-blending experience that brings classical metal, progressive rock, and symphonic elements together in honor of Metallica’s legacy.

Wolf Hoffmann, best known for fusing classical music with heavy metal as the guitarist of German metal legends Accept, expressed his excitement for the collaboration. “Metallica changed the course of heavy music. Their sound is massive, emotional, and raw—and we want to explore it from a different angle. This is about paying tribute while breaking new musical ground.”

Don Airey, the legendary keyboardist currently with Deep Purple, echoed the sentiment. Known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne, Rainbow, Whitesnake, and others, Airey has a deep history with metal and hard rock’s biggest names. “We’re not just performing Metallica songs—we’re transforming them. Expect extended solos, symphonic textures, and some surprises along the way,” he teased in a recent interview.

The duo’s tribute performance is being carefully timed just ahead of a unique event referred to by organizers as the Reverse 50th Anniversary Celebration. While details remain under wraps, the name suggests a rebellious twist on traditional music anniversaries. Rather than simply looking back on five decades of metal, the event promises to kick against nostalgia and point toward the genre’s evolution.

“This isn’t about dwelling in the past,” said a source close to the project. “It’s about challenging the legacy, flipping the script, and asking where metal goes next. Hoffmann and Airey’s show is the spark.”

While the setlist hasn’t been officially released, fans can expect powerful reinterpretations of Metallica classics such as “Enter Sandman,” “One,” “Fade to Black,” and “Master of Puppets.” Given Hoffmann’s orchestral sensibilities and Airey’s mastery of keys, these tracks will likely receive an epic overhaul—complete with extended arrangements and layered instrumentation.

The venue and date are expected to be announced within days, with speculation pointing toward either a surprise performance at a major European festival or a more intimate setting in Los Angeles. Either way, demand for tickets is expected to skyrocket once the announcement is made.

For metal fans, this show represents more than just nostalgia—it’s a celebration of musical innovation, craftsmanship, and the enduring power of Metallica’s music through the lens of two of metal’s most respected veterans.

Stay tuned as more details unfold about this groundbreaking collaboration and the unconventional anniversary celebration that follows