Metallica will be honored by members of Deep Purple and Ghost when they receive Sweden’s prestigious Polar Music Prize at a June 14 event in Stockholm.
Metallica will be recognized alongside fellow laureates Afghanistan National Institute Of Music (ANIM) and Dr. Ahmad Sarmast with the award, which celebrates the power and importance of music and is given to individuals, groups or institutions for international recognition of excellence in the world of music.
Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich and bassist Robert Trujillo will accept the honor as presented by His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, while Deep Purple members Ian Paice and Roger Glover read a citation recognizing the veteran metal band at the Grand Hotel.
Members of Ghost and Candlemass will perform a Metallica tribute at the event; also scheduled to appear are Refused frontman Dennis Lyxzén and Scorpions/ex-Motorhead drummer Mikkey Dee, who will perform a piece of music written specifically for the occasion.
Each honoree receives a total amount of one million Swedish kronor ($125,000); Metallica will donate the funds to their All Within My Hands Foundation, which is dedicated to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services.
The Polar Music Prize ceremony will be broadcast live on Sweden's TV4.
"Receiving the Polar Music Prize is an incredible thing,” said Ulrich when news of the honor was first announced. “It puts us in very distinguished company. It's a great validation of everything that Metallica has done over the last 35 years. At the same time, we feel like we're in our prime with a lot of good years ahead of us. Thank you very much."
Currently enjoying an extended summer break from their WorldWired tour in support of their tenth album, “Hardwired…To Self-Destruct”, Metallica will return to action for a North American arena run this fall that will begin in Madison, WI on September 2.
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