MICHAEL CAMPANELLA/Getty ImagesMetallica was honored with Sweden’s prestigious Polar Music Prize, also known as the “Nobel Prize of Music,” Thursday during a ceremony in Stockholm. Clips from the ceremony can now be viewed online.
Drummer Lars Ulrich and bassist Robert Trujillo were on hand to accept the award from the King of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf, and they spoke about Metallica’s journey from kids who felt ostracized by society to the biggest metal band in the world.
“Receiving this prize solidifies the idea that no matter how alienated you feel, connecting to other people through music is not only possible, but can be outright inspirational and life-changing,” Ulrich said.
The ceremony also featured a variety of musical performances, including one from Ghost front man Tobias Forge, who covered the Metallica classic “Enter Sandman” with members of fellow Swedish band Candlemass and Swedish duo Vargas & Lagola.
Additionally, Roger Glover and Ian Paice of Deep Purple, who Ulrich inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2016, introduced Metallica’s honor.
Winners of the Polar Music Prize are also awarded one million Swedish kronor, which currently amounts to about $114,000. Metallica will donate their winnings to their All Within My Hands charitable foundation.
Previous Polar Music Prize winners include Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney, among others.
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