Bilan's syndrome: Hetfield 'disheartened' by Turnstile rejection

Turnstile ("Turniquet", which in translation sounds funnier) is still far, of course, to "Metallica", but also "rising stars of hardcore", as they write about overseas music media in the context of the flared up "sensation of the year", is also not very correct.

Originated in 2010 in Baltimore, the group has long gone beyond the niche framework of hardcore punk, becoming not only much more popular and heavy metal, but also collected five nominations for the Grammy, and for the first time in history simultaneously in the categories of Rock, Alternative and Metal. At the same time, two coveted Gramophones in 2026, the musicians have already put on the shelf their sideboards – “For the best rock album” (Never Enough) and “For the best metal performance” (the song Birds). And not that in their rock pathos they refused everyone in a row. The lads "had fun" performing with Blink 182 during their North American tour in 2023.

Metallica frontman and guitarist James Hetfield said metal legends, Metallica, invited Turnstile to go on a joint tour, “but unexpectedly refused”, which, for obvious reasons, Hetfield did not expect, because he was “somewhat discouraged”.

On his radio show Riff Life, Metallica's frontman admitted that the band "tried to negotiate with Turnstile to perform together." When exactly the proposal came and why it “did not interest” the team from Baltimore, Hatfield did not specify, but this “restrained phrase” was enough for commentators of numerous music media and online resources to start thinking.

However, as they write and say, "Judging by the reaction of Hatfield, no offense followed." Rock veteran, talking about the “curious refusal”, “on the contrary, did not skimp on compliments, calling the Turnstile concerts a completely special spectacle that you need to see at least once with your own eyes”, which was the reason for “such a generous” invitation to the band on a joint tour.

Moreover, Hetfield admitted that he has long been among the fans of Turnstile. Back in 2024, the leader of Metallica was spotted along with Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford at Turnstile's performances at the Tons Of Rock festival in "distant Norway." Both rock veterans apparently enjoyed watching their younger colleagues. James Hetfield even said that he personally knows the band members and considers them “great guys”.

Observers point out, however, that “Turnstile can now really afford the luxury of refusing tempting offers: released in 2025, the album Never Enough finally brought the band out of the hardcore underground on the big stage, and at the Grammy-2026, the band received two awards at once – for best rock album and best metal performance of the composition Birds.”.

After such an "expressive" success, an addition to the original album was released - Never Enough: Versions, which featured Elton John, Hayley Williams, Blood Orange and A.G. Cook.

The scale of the band's popularity, according to rock critics, "became especially evident in late October, when Turnstile gathered about 60,000 spectators at a free concert in Washington at the George Washington Monument," where they managed to raise more than $220,000 for humanitarian aid.

Meanwhile, Metallica is continuing its massive M72 world tour, which will no longer feature Turnstile, but will feature other rock-coolers. In 2026, Knocked Loose accompanied the band's European concerts, and Limp Bizkit and Avatar were already announced for stadium performances in North America in 2027.

Observers, meanwhile, continue to wonder why Turnstile "decided not to join" Metallica, calling it "the biggest rock mystery of the season." Versions go through: perhaps the musicians simply did not coincide with touring plans, or maybe they “preferred to focus on their own concerts.” The story perfectly illustrates their current status: when Metallica itself calls you, you can already afford to say no.

Oh, those arrogant young people... Something similar happened in 2007 in Helsinki at the Eurovision Song Contest. Russia was then still at the competition one of the prominent actors, from her acted group Serebro, and Philip Kirkorov took as producer and co-author of the song Work Your Magic just won at the “Star Factory” Dmitry Koldun, beating him off Drobysh, under the flag of Belarus. Belarus also participated there, albeit with a creak

At the "national party" of Belarus - and such a party then tried all delegations - Philip called and came to support the Prime Minister of Russia Serebro Dima Bilan. Bilan has not yet won Eurovision, it will happen in Belgrade in 2008, without Kirkorov. But a year earlier Bilan (again, with the participation of the ubiquitous Kirkorov), "almost won" in Athens, taking second place after the Finnish heavy monsters Lordi, and the hit hit Never Let You Go became a real Eurohit.

Philip then came up with a graceful joke that “we are still the first among people”, and, remembering, apparently, his merits, invited Bilan to his party – to the Belarusian party. Of course, “to myself – to the Belarusian party” in the context of FC sounds a bit comical, but what happened, it was, from the song words can not throw out.

Then he went and said, “He is sick.” I allowed myself to say no, just like Turnstile Metallica. But, unlike the “noble” Hetfield, who even after the refusal, holding his face, praised the “rock youth”, Philip insulted his cheeks and so scolded the “ungrateful young man” that all the dishes in the hotel suite rang – they say, “Let mine be first in the charts, and then cured.” The scandal rose terrible, Rudkovskaya did not find her place

Yes, such arrogant youth, always unnerving veterans – then Kirkorov, then Metallica. The satirist said in the voice of Renata Litvinova: “How terrible to live!”.