Metallica – Helping Hands… Live & Acoustic at The Masonic (2019)

Artist: Metallica
Album: Helping Hands… Live & Acoustic at The Masonic
Released: February 1, 2019
Recorded: November 3, 2018 at The Masonic, San Francisco, CA, US
Label: Blackened Recordings
Genre: Live acoustic / alternative rock
Length: Approx. 71:25
Producer: Metallica, mixed by Greg Fidelman
Purpose: Benefit charity release for All Within My Hands Foundation supporting community causes such as hunger relief and workforce education

Overview

Helping Hands… Live & Acoustic at The Masonic is a unique live album capturing Metallica in an acoustic performance recorded at the First Helping Hands Benefit Concert. The show took place at The Masonic in San Francisco and was part of the band’s efforts to support their All Within My Hands Foundation. Instead of their usual electrified thrash sound, Metallica delivers stripped‑down, unplugged versions of both their own classic material and select covers.

The album transforms iconic Metallica songs into acoustic arrangements, highlighting the band’s songwriting and performance versatility in an intimate setting. Tracks span early thrash, ballads, and deep cuts, as well as rock covers.

Album Credits

Band Members

James Hetfield – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Kirk Hammett – lead/acoustic guitar
Robert Trujillo – bass, backing vocals
Lars Ulrich – percussion

Additional Musicians

Henry Salvia – keyboards
Avi Vinocur – mandolin, guitar, backing vocals
David Phillips – pedal steel guitar
Cody Rhodes – percussion

Production

Recorded by: Jason Gossman
Mixed by: Greg Fidelman
Mastered by: Reuben Cohen at Bernie Grundman Mastering
Label: Blackened Recordings

Tracklist

Disposable Heroes
When a Blind Man Cries (Deep Purple cover)
The Unforgiven
Please Don’t Judas Me (Nazareth cover)
Turn the Page (Bob Seger cover)
Bleeding Me
Veteran of the Psychic Wars (Blue Oyster Cult cover)
Nothing Else Matters
All Within My Hands
Enter Sandman
The Four Horsemen
Hardwired

Concert Context

Benefit Show: Recorded during Metallica’s inaugural Helping Hands Concert, raising funds for their All Within My Hands Foundation.
Acoustic Setting: Unlike typical Metallica live albums, this set is unplugged/acoustic, giving a fresh take on both heavy and melodic songs.
Covers: In addition to their own material, the band performs rare acoustic covers of Deep Purple, Nazareth, Bob Seger, and Blue Öyster Cult classics.

Musical Direction & Highlights

Acoustic Rearrangements: Songs like Disposable Heroes and Enter Sandman are re‑imagined with acoustic guitars and expanded instrumentation.
Unique Covers: Tracks such as Please Don’t Judas Me and Veteran of the Psychic Wars showcase Metallica’s influences beyond metal.
Emotional Range: From the haunting Nothing Else Matters to energetic versions of Hardwired, the album highlights the band’s range as performers.

Charitable Purpose

All net proceeds from the release support Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation (AWMH), which focuses on fighting hunger and supporting community workforce education programs. The Helping Hands concert and albums are part of the band’s ongoing philanthropic work.

Fun Facts & Trivia

The original Helping Hands benefit concert raised over $1.3 million for charity.
This release captures rare acoustic versions of songs normally known for heavy electrified arrangements.
The acoustic take on The Four Horsemen dramatically transforms the song’s classic thrash intensity into a bluesy groove.

Critical Reception

Fans praised the release for showcasing Metallica’s musicianship in a new light, with arrangements that shed fresh emotional depth on familiar tracks.
The album is often viewed as a collector’s unique entry among Metallica’s live catalog due to its acoustic format and charitable purpose.

Album Rating

⭐ 8.5/10

Helping Hands… Live & Acoustic at The Masonic stands out as a distinctive live release in Metallica’s discography. With its acoustic reinterpretations, rare covers, and charitable mission, it offers both longtime fans and newcomers a fresh perspective on the band’s music and legacy.