Tom Engelbrecht is not only a Metallica fan; his devotion is etched completely throughout his complete proper aspect. With the Guinness World Record for many tattoos of the identical band – a complete of 43, devoted to the steel giants – his story goes past ink and riffs.
Engelbrecht‘s Metallica journey started, sarcastically, with apathy. A live performance in 2007 sparked a revelation, his preliminary indifference morphing into fervent admiration.
“In 2007, on the age of 17, I went to my first Metallica live performance. And I went simply because it was a widely known band,” he tells Killer Guitar Rigs. “At the moment, I didn’t care a lot for Metallica, simply wished to see them. However I bought hooked! It hit me like a baseball bat to the face. Like, mom of God! Holy crap, what a band! I beloved them from that day on.”
Nonetheless, the band’s music wasn’t simply leisure; it grew to become a lifeline. Fighting psychological well being, Engelbrecht discovered solace in Metallica‘s songs: “Within the river of melancholy and anxiousness, Metallica grew to become the department that I reached and that saved my life. I used Metallica as remedy. And the extra I used Metallica, the nearer they bought to my coronary heart.”
Tattoos grew to become dwelling tributes, with album covers and dwell photographs of James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo adorning his pores and skin, his physique was a canvas of unwavering devotion.
“Each time I’m at a live performance, the whole lot simply disappears. I find yourself in my little bubble and I simply benefit from the second. I’ve been to 24 concert events, and I’m going to 11 subsequent 12 months,” Tom elaborates.
“At this second, my proper aspect of the physique is totally tattooed of Metallica. From the foot, up the leg, and the aspect — my torso, armpit, and my entire arm. All in all — 46 tattoos the place 43 is counted within the report. Three of them are doubled up,” Engelbrecht explains.
Requested when he would think about that sufficient is sufficient”, Tom stays unfazed: “Properly, for those who ask me, I’d say the day I’ve to tattoo my face. Trigger I’ll in all probability by no means cease.”
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