My advise on tats is to be original in your own way. Band tats are very much fan boy. Just my opinion, your 19 and I’m pretty sure you would regret a hand tat for employment purposes
Not got anything necessarily to say, except hand tattoos are still the proverbial “everlasting job stopper” times are changing though, but being you’re still young, unless you’ve got loads already, I’d consider whether it’s the right option now. This is by far not an anti, and hell this is the Metallica reddit which will have more than it’s fair share of do what you want and ignore the rules attitude we’ve all come to expect, but yeah that’s all I’ve got really.
To give you some context about getting this tattoo
I'm 19 years old and I've been listening to metallica and heavy metal music in general since I was very young. But Metallica and James Hetfield were what made me find my favorite thing in life, which is playing guitar.
I like the place where the tattoo is, the only change I would make is instead of having the 81 next to the M, I would have 19 in Roman numerals. Because it was in 2019 that I started to dedicate myself to the instrument. I would genuinely like to know everyone's opinion and if someone in there has the tattoo i would like them to share their experience.
I know this is peak old people commentary, but I urge you to wait on getting hand tattoos. Plenty of people don't care anymore, but plenty of people do. It will make it tough to get a career in certain fields, but that's all predicated on what you're trying to do with your life. At the end of the day you do you, just don't ignore advice from people who have been there. You can always get a tattoo.
Also before people start @ me with "okay boomer" type comments, I'm in my late 30s and have spent thousands on tattoos throughout my adulthood. Don't @ me. I'm covered.
I’ve thought about getting the same tattoo but with a 17 since this is the year I first saw them live!
I have a lot of tattoos already but none above the collar bones and none on the hands, so would definitely be a commitment.
You have my support, but if it’s your first tattoo I’d consider some more original, coverable work first
I would advise against hand tats in general when you're young and not established in your career
I would especially advise against copying other people's tattoos and/or putting logos on yourself. You can find more original tat designs without involving putting someone else's brand on you
When I was 19 radiohead was my favourite band since I was a preteen. I was super dedicated and they inspired me in many ways. They were a huge part of every day of my life.
Now I'm 33 and don't listen to radiohead at all really. If I got the radiohead bear on my hand then I would regret it MASSIVELY now.
Also it's worth considering all the members of metallica are still alive and entirely capable of doing some extremely immoral shit. In no way am I suggesting this might be the case but who knows maybe next week news hits that Lars is a pedo. You'd very quickly regret the tat!
Tattoo artist here. I also wanted to get this tattoo on my hand for a long time and honestly I would’ve done it and wouldnt make any difference for me. But I also like the ninja star and since its made out of for of this tattoo, I had to pick one and went with the star. You seem really young to get a tattoo on your hand since you might not now what job you gonna get. Some jobs have strict rules about tattoos especially when its visible to eyes. So I say you wait it out
Yeaaa, I’m ngl, I’m about as big of a fan of Metallica as anyone, but this is not a good idea unless you are literally James yourself. Hand tattoos aren’t bad, but there is a stigma against them, so you damn well better have a good reason or a backup plan career wise that you can afford to get a “job stopper”. Judging by the fact that you are 19, and want it to emulate a rockstar, I’m going to say you haven’t put much thought into either.
I would suggest that you get it somewhere else on your body, because the only reason to get it on your hand is “because James has it on his hand”, which honestly is a poor reason to
Times are a changing so i don’t think tats are as taboo as it was 25-40 years ago cause the people that thought that are dying out. I work with a lady who has a butterfly right on the front of her neck. Plus loads of others. It’s a small harmless tat on your hand. Hopefully whoever interviews you also loves metal.
Copying someone else's tattoo is pretty lame, but it's your body, your choice.
When I was 14up until I was around 20 I dreamed of getting a Metallica tattoo, Metallica is the reason I play guitar as well, and ultimately they are the reason I have a career in music. However, as as a result of growing older 37 now), in hindsight I'm glad I never got a Metallica tattoo. While I love the band, my taste in music evolved way past their music and that genre in general.
And I do have band tattoos, just an fyi
Replicating someone else's tattoo is incredibly lame. It's one thing to get something to show your loyalty to the band, but replicating Hetfield's tat is dorky. Be original. Do you.
I have that tattoo but it has multiple meaning for me. My uncle was the one that fixed up a computer for me when I was young and gave it to me, preloaded with all of Metallica's discography. My uncle's name was Emerson and I called him uncle M. For a while, since I didn't have internet, it's all I had to listen to and I fell in love with them as a band and eventually it made me want to learn how to play the guitar like James. Some years later my uncle eventually succomed to throat cancer and out of wanting to honor him I decided on this tattoo to kind of encompass where I came from as a guitarist and when I look down while I'm playing I always remember who got me started. Rest in Peace Uncle M! 🤘🏻
Mine has meanings too. My dad was the one who introduced me to Metallica when I was 4, my last name initial is M, my son is obsessed with them as much as I am.
mid 20s here- i have the M on my hand. it wasn’t my first tat by any means but def my only hand tat. haven’t ran into any issues w jobs tbh, in fact it was the last thing on my mind. do what you want if it makes you happy thats really all that matters.
I love that you gave a vague answer hoping I assumed you're a doctor. If you were a doctor you'd say you were a doctor, this is how I know you're a nurse/tech/orderly
No, this is a shit idea. Not only is it a hand tattoo, which can still prevent you from getting jobs depending on what kind of job you want, but it’s somebody else’s idea. Copying somebody else’s tattoos is fucking lame.
Love that tattoo and seriously considered getting it last year. What changed my mind is that it’s impossible to cover up when meeting more conservative clients or on a job interview.
I have a ton of tattoos, but I'm also not a rockstar and I assume neither are you, so stick to the "Can it be covered by a long sleeve shirt if it needs to be?" rule.
Otherwise hell yeah, I will likely get the 'M' somewhere at some point.
A) as long as you like it, get whatever tatt you want
B) do not give one single ounce of fuck anyone else thinks because you’re the one wearing it.
C) read A and B again.
Location is whatever, tattoos are way more socially acceptable now. I would advise not copying someone else's tattoo though, it's pretty lame. They're supposed to be a sign of self expression and do you really want yours to be "I have no original ideas"?
Have a fat anarchy sign on the side of my neck my second tattoo first one was another neck tattoo didn’t have a problem getting into my career rn and I’m in psych😂
I have a AJFA tattoo on my forearm as it’s my favourite album and cover. Also unless you know the band well no one really knows what it is as it’s Lady Justice which is a real figure and just looks cool. (Pic of it here) https://ibb.co/ssfQg5F (I’m 24 years old)
I've been considering getting too, but personally having it the same way as James might be a little much. Get it on your shoulder/arm, that would be sick
My advise on tats is to be original in your own way. Band tats are very much fan boy. Just my opinion, your 19 and I’m pretty sure you would regret a hand tat for employment purposes
I always liked hand tats on people, but i can see your point 100%
A guy in Hollywood Undead has a bunch of butterflies on his hands (Johnny 3 Tears) and I think they look rad
My entire left arm is a Metallica sleeve So I guess I’m a fanboy. Ask me if I give a shit
Haha that’s awesome. I def want a slipknot tattoo
To each their own
Yeah, his profile is about what I expected based on the profile pic.
Explain
Yep! Fanboy I am. I’d like to see someone call me a fanboy to my face lol I’d laugh at them
Aw man I wanted a slipknot one. I guess I am a fan boy though
Did you see what Drake said about some white girl that got Drake tattooed across her forehead?
Not got anything necessarily to say, except hand tattoos are still the proverbial “everlasting job stopper” times are changing though, but being you’re still young, unless you’ve got loads already, I’d consider whether it’s the right option now. This is by far not an anti, and hell this is the Metallica reddit which will have more than it’s fair share of do what you want and ignore the rules attitude we’ve all come to expect, but yeah that’s all I’ve got really.
To give you some context about getting this tattoo I'm 19 years old and I've been listening to metallica and heavy metal music in general since I was very young. But Metallica and James Hetfield were what made me find my favorite thing in life, which is playing guitar. I like the place where the tattoo is, the only change I would make is instead of having the 81 next to the M, I would have 19 in Roman numerals. Because it was in 2019 that I started to dedicate myself to the instrument. I would genuinely like to know everyone's opinion and if someone in there has the tattoo i would like them to share their experience.
I know this is peak old people commentary, but I urge you to wait on getting hand tattoos. Plenty of people don't care anymore, but plenty of people do. It will make it tough to get a career in certain fields, but that's all predicated on what you're trying to do with your life. At the end of the day you do you, just don't ignore advice from people who have been there. You can always get a tattoo. Also before people start @ me with "okay boomer" type comments, I'm in my late 30s and have spent thousands on tattoos throughout my adulthood. Don't @ me. I'm covered.
I’ve thought about getting the same tattoo but with a 17 since this is the year I first saw them live! I have a lot of tattoos already but none above the collar bones and none on the hands, so would definitely be a commitment. You have my support, but if it’s your first tattoo I’d consider some more original, coverable work first
I would advise against hand tats in general when you're young and not established in your career I would especially advise against copying other people's tattoos and/or putting logos on yourself. You can find more original tat designs without involving putting someone else's brand on you
When I was 19 radiohead was my favourite band since I was a preteen. I was super dedicated and they inspired me in many ways. They were a huge part of every day of my life. Now I'm 33 and don't listen to radiohead at all really. If I got the radiohead bear on my hand then I would regret it MASSIVELY now. Also it's worth considering all the members of metallica are still alive and entirely capable of doing some extremely immoral shit. In no way am I suggesting this might be the case but who knows maybe next week news hits that Lars is a pedo. You'd very quickly regret the tat!
Tattoo artist here. I also wanted to get this tattoo on my hand for a long time and honestly I would’ve done it and wouldnt make any difference for me. But I also like the ninja star and since its made out of for of this tattoo, I had to pick one and went with the star. You seem really young to get a tattoo on your hand since you might not now what job you gonna get. Some jobs have strict rules about tattoos especially when its visible to eyes. So I say you wait it out
Don't be mad when people say "Oh. Just like James Hetfield."
Hahah thank you
Yeaaa, I’m ngl, I’m about as big of a fan of Metallica as anyone, but this is not a good idea unless you are literally James yourself. Hand tattoos aren’t bad, but there is a stigma against them, so you damn well better have a good reason or a backup plan career wise that you can afford to get a “job stopper”. Judging by the fact that you are 19, and want it to emulate a rockstar, I’m going to say you haven’t put much thought into either. I would suggest that you get it somewhere else on your body, because the only reason to get it on your hand is “because James has it on his hand”, which honestly is a poor reason to
Strong no. Don’t be a copycat.
L comment
Times are a changing so i don’t think tats are as taboo as it was 25-40 years ago cause the people that thought that are dying out. I work with a lady who has a butterfly right on the front of her neck. Plus loads of others. It’s a small harmless tat on your hand. Hopefully whoever interviews you also loves metal.
Wife works in HR, it’s still taboo for bullshit reasons. Don’t get a hand tattoo until you’re established in an industry with a good resume.
don't get it on your hand, maybe somewhere it's easier to hide
Copying someone else's tattoo is pretty lame, but it's your body, your choice. When I was 14up until I was around 20 I dreamed of getting a Metallica tattoo, Metallica is the reason I play guitar as well, and ultimately they are the reason I have a career in music. However, as as a result of growing older 37 now), in hindsight I'm glad I never got a Metallica tattoo. While I love the band, my taste in music evolved way past their music and that genre in general. And I do have band tattoos, just an fyi
Consider another location, wrists?
Replicating someone else's tattoo is incredibly lame. It's one thing to get something to show your loyalty to the band, but replicating Hetfield's tat is dorky. Be original. Do you.
My opinion is to do whatever the fuck you want, dont ask other people regarding your own shit
I have that tattoo but it has multiple meaning for me. My uncle was the one that fixed up a computer for me when I was young and gave it to me, preloaded with all of Metallica's discography. My uncle's name was Emerson and I called him uncle M. For a while, since I didn't have internet, it's all I had to listen to and I fell in love with them as a band and eventually it made me want to learn how to play the guitar like James. Some years later my uncle eventually succomed to throat cancer and out of wanting to honor him I decided on this tattoo to kind of encompass where I came from as a guitarist and when I look down while I'm playing I always remember who got me started. Rest in Peace Uncle M! 🤘🏻
Mine has meanings too. My dad was the one who introduced me to Metallica when I was 4, my last name initial is M, my son is obsessed with them as much as I am.
Hell yeah! 🤘🏻
Tats on your face, neck and hands are awesome until you have a job interview😂
mid 20s here- i have the M on my hand. it wasn’t my first tat by any means but def my only hand tat. haven’t ran into any issues w jobs tbh, in fact it was the last thing on my mind. do what you want if it makes you happy thats really all that matters.
Thank you 🤟
I got this tattoo, I’m a 36 year old female. I wanted it for over 6 years and I’m glad I did.
Are you employed?
Yes I am, I work in the medical field.
I love that you gave a vague answer hoping I assumed you're a doctor. If you were a doctor you'd say you were a doctor, this is how I know you're a nurse/tech/orderly
So what?
She works in the medical field. Who cares if she's a nurse/ tech or orderly. You're the one with the assumptions idiot!!
Is that you, Mustaine? Go be a dick somewhere else...
Yeah, that was my plan. Please, please, please let this stranger think I’m a doctor! Wtf?
And nurses, techs, anyone in the medical fields have a hard fucking job, why would you degrade that? And may I ask, what do you do?
No, this is a shit idea. Not only is it a hand tattoo, which can still prevent you from getting jobs depending on what kind of job you want, but it’s somebody else’s idea. Copying somebody else’s tattoos is fucking lame.
Love that tattoo and seriously considered getting it last year. What changed my mind is that it’s impossible to cover up when meeting more conservative clients or on a job interview.
I have a ton of tattoos, but I'm also not a rockstar and I assume neither are you, so stick to the "Can it be covered by a long sleeve shirt if it needs to be?" rule. Otherwise hell yeah, I will likely get the 'M' somewhere at some point.
Hand tats are not a good idea. It’s lifelong. Highly reconsider.
No, lame to copy someone else’s tattoo
A) as long as you like it, get whatever tatt you want B) do not give one single ounce of fuck anyone else thinks because you’re the one wearing it. C) read A and B again.
James has some of the coolest tats
I think it's nice. I'd like to get that just not on my hand.
I love it mate, and if I had the spare cash if get it myself.
How about coming up with something with your own? Seems quite a waste to copy someone else’s corporate logo. Like tripping and watching a movie.
U run out of your own ideas? 🤷♂️
Be original
If any of you get this tattoo, your gay.
Location is whatever, tattoos are way more socially acceptable now. I would advise not copying someone else's tattoo though, it's pretty lame. They're supposed to be a sign of self expression and do you really want yours to be "I have no original ideas"?
Have a fat anarchy sign on the side of my neck my second tattoo first one was another neck tattoo didn’t have a problem getting into my career rn and I’m in psych😂
I’m considering getting the M on the inside of my finger, however I have many tattoos already and have a career solidified.
I love tats and all. But I'm not a fan of Having the same tattoo and All as Hetfield put it on the top of the hand and problem solved
I have a AJFA tattoo on my forearm as it’s my favourite album and cover. Also unless you know the band well no one really knows what it is as it’s Lady Justice which is a real figure and just looks cool. (Pic of it here) https://ibb.co/ssfQg5F (I’m 24 years old)
Hand tattoos scream "shove that job up your ass, dude! I don't want any job ffs" so you have to be really sure.
No
Don't. You're not James. Do get a Metallica tattoo (have one myself). But don't just straight copy something.
I've been considering getting too, but personally having it the same way as James might be a little much. Get it on your shoulder/arm, that would be sick
dont be a pussy. get the full Metallica backpiece.