While the amps were melting faces and Lars was booting his snare like it owed him money, Metallica were quietly doing something lush behind the scenes during their Eden Park stop — and it deserves a massive shout.
These legends slipped $20,000 NZD to the Auckland Women’s Centre, no fuss, no fanfare, just pure goodness. The donation supports counselling, education and advocacy programmes for local women — a proper job that’ll echo far longer than any encore. 🖤
And because the boys never do anything by halves, their All Within My Hands Foundation rolled up the sleeves and jumped into a community food-packing event too. Picture it: James Hetfield packing boxes like he’s loading up gear for another round of “Sad But True.” Tidy!
This is why Metallica sit on a different plane entirely. They don’t just rock up, blast two hours of riffs that could summon dragons, and head for the airport. They leave communities better than they found them — giving back, supporting local groups, and showing exactly what metal can do when it’s powered by heart instead of just distortion pedals.
Only in metal, mun… only in metal. 🤘⚡
Big respect to the lads. Big respect to All Within My Hands. And big love to the Auckland Women’s Centre — keep smashing it. 🎸❤️
C’mon butt, that’s how you do a world tour with soul.
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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