Tom Engelbrecht isn't just a Metallica fan; his devotion is etched permanently across his entire right side. With the Guinness World Record for most tattoos of the same band – a total of 43, dedicated to the metal giants – his story goes beyond ink and riffs.
Engelbrecht's Metallica journey began, ironically, with apathy. A concert in 2007 sparked a revelation, his initial indifference morphing into fervent admiration.
“In 2007, at the age of 17, I went to my first Metallica concert. And I went just because it was a well-known band," he tells Killer Guitar Rigs. "At that time, I didn’t care much for Metallica, just wanted to see them. But I got hooked! It hit me like a baseball bat to the face. Like, mother of God! Holy crap, what a band! I loved them from that day on.”
However, the band's music wasn't just entertainment; it became a lifeline. Struggling with mental health, Engelbrecht found solace in Metallica's songs: "In the river of depression and anxiety, Metallica became the branch that I reached and that saved my life. I used Metallica as therapy. And the more I used Metallica, the closer they got to my heart."
Tattoos became living tributes, with album covers and live images of James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo adorning his skin, his body turned into a canvas of unwavering devotion.
“Every time I am at a concert, everything just disappears. I end up in my little bubble and I just enjoy the moment. I have been to 24 concerts, and I am going to 11 next year,” Tom elaborates.
“At this moment, my right side of the body is fully tattooed of Metallica. From the foot, up the leg, and the side — my torso, armpit, and my whole arm. All in all — 46 tattoos where 43 is counted in the record. Three of them are doubled up," Engelbrecht explains.
Asked when he would consider that enough is enough", Tom remains unfazed: “Well, if you ask me, I would say the day I have to tattoo my face. Cause I will probably never stop.”
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