Lady Gaga, known for her pop anthems and theatrical performances, has surprised many with her genuine appreciation for metal music. Her collaboration with Metallica at the Grammys performing “Moth Into Flame” solidified her status as more than just a casual fan. It even seemed she got a tattoo to commemorate this metal moment. However, a closer look reveals something unexpected: Lady Gaga’s “Metallica Tattoo” might actually be a tribute to another thrash metal band altogether – Death Angel.
The tattoo in question, featuring a stylized moth and skull, bears a striking resemblance to the artwork from Death Angel’s 2016 album, The Evil Divide. This album was released in the same year as Metallica’s Hardwired…to Self-Destruct, adding an extra layer of irony to the situation. While the moth imagery could be seen as a nod to Metallica’s “Moth Into Flame,” the specific design is undeniably close to Death Angel’s album art.
haha
Image: A humorous meme suggesting the tattoo artist intentionally gave Lady Gaga a Death Angel tattoo instead of a Metallica tattoo, playing on the rivalry between metal bands and fan preferences.
It’s easy to imagine a scenario where a thrash metal-loving tattoo artist, perhaps with a preference for Death Angel’s latest work over Metallica’s, saw an opportunity for a subtle, humorous prank. Picture this: Lady Gaga requests a tattoo to remember her Metallica performance, mentioning a moth and skull motif. The artist, a long-time thrash fan, recognizes the Death Angel album art inspiration and subtly guides the design in that direction. Perhaps thinking, “She’ll thank me later, The Evil Divide is the better album anyway!”
This imagined scenario plays on the long-standing, often tongue-in-cheek, debates within the metal community about band preferences and album quality. The tattoo artist, in this fantasy, becomes a champion of “true” thrash, subtly trolling Metallica by adorning a mainstream pop star with a Death Angel symbol.
The humor extends to the idea that no one in Lady Gaga’s entourage noticed the resemblance to Death Angel’s artwork. In our imagined montage, the tattoo artist even whispers rebellious phrases under his breath, fully embracing his role as a secret agent of thrash metal subversion.
Image: A comical image of an umbrella drink, used here to symbolize a lighthearted and unexpected turn in the narrative, breaking from the serious metal discussion for a moment of levity.
Stepping back from the fantasy, the reality is likely a simple misunderstanding or coincidence. Lady Gaga may have simply liked the moth and skull design, unaware of its connection to Death Angel. However, the internet, and metal fans in particular, are quick to notice and amplify such details.
The 2017 Grammy performance itself was not without its own share of mishaps, most notably James Hetfield’s microphone malfunction. This incident arguably overshadowed the performance itself, becoming a major talking point and even a source of amusement for some. It’s in this context of Grammy snubs and metal history that the “Death Angel tattoo” theory gains extra comedic traction.
3231-lady-gaga-displays-lots-of-skin-at-grammys
Image: Lady Gaga at the Grammy Awards, showcasing her performance outfit, used to highlight the event and shift back to the reality of the Grammy performance context after the fantasy sequence.
Ultimately, whether intentional or accidental, Lady Gaga’s tattoo has sparked a humorous debate within the metal community. And in a genre often defined by its insider knowledge and passionate fandom, this kind of playful mix-up is all part of the fun. Perhaps, in the end, having a “Death Angel tattoo” instead of a straightforward “Metallica tattoo” actually adds to Lady Gaga’s metal credibility, signaling a deeper cut appreciation for thrash metal beyond the mainstream giants. It certainly provides a more interesting story than just another band logo tattoo.
