The news was accompanied by the first of these ASL videos, for the title track, "72 Seasons."
Today, April 25, with the posting of the 11 remaining songs from “72 Seasons” on video with lyrics and ASL, Metallica becomes not only first rock band to release an entire album in ASL, but the first band to release official videos side by side with an ASL interpreter.
The "72 Seasons" full album ASL video release is the result of Metallica's connecting with Amber Galloway of AG Productions, whose team is known for signing at several music festivals the band has headlined, including Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits, and The Deaf Professional Arts Network (DPAN), a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2006 by deaf musician Sean Forbes and music producer Joel Martin to make music accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing community.
"As a deaf musician, who has been a huge fan of Metallica my entire life, it is an absolute honor to work with the band and Amber G Productions to make an entire album of their songs accessible in American Sign Language," says Forbes. "It is our hope that more bands, artists, performers, will follow the example set by Metallica and make their music accessible in American Sign Language. There is an entire community of deaf music fans that are ready to experience more music and Metallica doing this speaks volumes to the deaf and signing communities"
"Metallica has shown the world what access and inclusiveness can look like," adds Amber Galloway. "Often times hearing individuals think that captioning a music video is sufficient. Sadly text does not show intonations, it doesn't show the emotional connection that ASL does. These videos also capture the voices of the instruments."
To learn more about, and/or donate to, the Deaf Professional Arts Network, visit d-pan.org.
Check out all of the ASL videos at Metallica's official YouTube channel here, and get your copy of the new album here.
See also:
Metallica top US album sales charts with 72 Seasons
Metallica top UK charts for first time in 15 years with 72 Seasons
Metallica stream Too Far Gone video
Metallica share animated video for 72 Seasons track Room Of Mirrors
Search Metallica at hennemusic
