Have you ever recognized a face in a crowd? Or perhaps on a screen, in 2022, that looked vaguely like your metal music-loving days of high school? If you did find yourself doing a double take while watching Netflix’s latest musical feature, Metal Lords, we’re right there with you. In a film that follows best friends Kevin (Jaeden Martell) and Hunter (Adrian Greensmith) as they search for fame — and a third metalhead for their band-in-progress, Skullf*cker — a few familiar faces make cameo appearances to help them navigate these trying rocker times.

It’s no surprise, really, because if Skullf*cker ever hope of winning the upcoming battle of the bands, they can only do it with the expert advice of Metallica and Judas Priest. Let us guide you through some of the hardest-hitting cameos you’ll see in this nostalgic, coming-of-age musical journey.

Tom Morello of Prophets of Rage performs at the Louder Than Life Music Festival on October 1, 2017 at Champions Park, in Louisville, Kentucky.

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Tom Morello

Morello is known as a driving force behind some of the most unique metal bands ever to shred. Notably, he is the brainchild behind Rage Against the Machine, who have been known for the better part of three decades as a unique collective of hip-hop influence and outspoken political beliefs, with hits like “Killing in the Name” and “Bulls on Parade.” Morello was also the guitarist in Audioslave with Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell, as well as Prophets of Rage with members of hip-hop act Public Enemy. Along with a few other metal lords of years past, Morello appears in a pivotal scene where Kevin finds himself at a crossroads moment — in a hot tub with a girl, Kendall (who is not his girlfriend) — and needs some, let’s say, legendary advice about “emotional honesty and trust.”

Kirk Hammett of Metallica performs onstage on May 3, 2019 in Madrid, Spain.

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Kirk Hammett

An integral part of one of the most successful metal bands in the world, Hammett has drawn acclaim for his face-melting guitar solos, which have helped trademark Metallica’s music. Considered one of the “Big 4” of thrash metal, Metallica are known for their signature punk speed with the lower registers of heavy metal proper. Hammett has influenced the band’s sound since 1983, ultimately helping them sell over 125 million albums. He also earned a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. In Metal Lords, Hammett gives Kevin advice on what to do about the whole Kendall situation (which is happening in real time). “Back in the day, we all get up to stuff,” he advises in the scene.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest performs at The Arena at TD Place on March 25, 2018 in Ottawa, Canada.

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Rob Halford

Known for his high range of vocals and leatherbound style, Halford is the leading frontman for UK-based metal powerhouse Judas Priest, who are well-known for songs like “Breaking the Law,” “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’,” and “Livin’ After Midnight.” Halford is also one of the few openly gay metal frontmen, paving the way for more inclusion within the entire genre. Echoing the advice of his fellow metal rock stars of decades past, Halford tells Kevin that he should go back to his girlfriend Emily and forget this whole hot tub scene: “You found someone that loves you? Do you love her back? Then don’t be an asshole, Kevin.”

Scott Ian of Anthrax performs during the 2017 Chicago Open Air Festival at Toyota Park on July 14, 2017 in Bridgeview, Illinois.

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Scott Ian

Ian is the rhythm guitarist for fellow “Big 4” band Anthrax. Known for his chugging riffs, Ian carved out a space for himself in metal history by writing some of the most influential metal albums of all time, such as Fistful of Metal, Persistence of Time and For All Kings. In 1991, Anthrax famously covered Public Enemy’s “Bring the Noise,” featuring them on the track and making space for a historic and unique blend of hip-hop and metal. He is among the metal forefathers who’s credited with creating the subgenre of nu-metal, later popularized by bands such as Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit. In Metal Lords, Ian is one of four legendary rockers who appear before Kevin while he’s in the hot tub and acts as the devil on his shoulder encouraging him to hook up with Kendall, even going as far as to ask, “What are you waiting for, a tutorial?”