In a recent interview with Poland's MetalSide, legendary drummer Carmine Appice has reaffirmed his long-held stance that METALLICA was the first true heavy metal band.

The Van Halen alum and Vanilla Fudge original drummer made headlines in 2020 when he told Sea Of Tranquility that METALLICA was the one who 'really created what you'd call heavy metal.' This time around, Appice tells MetalSide: "I consider heavy metal starting with METALLICA.

Before all that, it was hard rock.

The crunchy guitars, the buzztone guitar and the double bass following guitar, that's what started heavy metal.

Everything else before that — MÖTLEY CRÜE and VAN HALEN, BLUE MURDER — everything's hard rock." He credits METALLICA's pioneering sound for paving the way for other subgenres like death metal and speed metal.

Appice continues to tour and record with his current bands, including Vanilla Fudge.,Appice has always been a strong advocate for drummers everywhere.

With over four decades of professional experience under his belt, he's widely regarded as one of rock music's most accomplished showmen.

The full itinerary for Appice's upcoming shows can be found below.

Upcoming Shows: March 27 – Krakow, Poland @ MetalSide Fest April 1 – Warsaw, Poland @ Arkon Park May 5 – Poznan, Poland @ Muzyczna Wartosc June 16 – Berlin, Germany @ SO36 As previously announced by Sea Of Tranquility in December last year, Appice's autobiography "Stick It!: My Life Of Sex, Drums, And Rock 'N' Roll" was released in May 2016.",