Dixxon Flannel Co. is partnering with Metallica to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band’s hit album, Load. The collaboration piece is a red-and-black flannel featuring details that reference the album and the band’s history. Design details include a “sewn‑in neck tag showcasing the original album artwork, a Ninja Star logo on the top collar buttons, and additional design cues that nod to the record’s legacy.”
This is Dixxon’s fifth collaboration with the band. Previous collaborations drew inspiration from albums …And Justice for All, Ride the Lightning, and 72 Seasons. Each limited-edition piece incorporates signature album art, logos, and color schemes, all applied to Dixxon’s trademark D‑Tech flannel construction. The shirt is available for purchase on Metallica’s official website.
The band is currently on their M72 World Tour to support their 11th studio album, 72 Seasons. The three-year tour began in Amsterdam in April 2023 and is set to conclude in London this July. Dixxon COO Chris Vallely discussed the company’s initial partnership with Metallica.
“One of our first collaborations was with two bands headed by Mike Mueller: Suicidal Tendencies and Infectious Grooves,” Vallely said. “And the bass player of Infectious Grooves connected us with Metallica. When we started out, we were going to do four flannels – so far, we’ve released two and we have a couple more in the works.” From color palettes to buttons and threads, every choice is intentional.
“We did three or four different color studies to get it right,” Vallely said. “We went back and forth with Metallica’s manager. When we do the trims, buttons, and text, we run small prints, the neck labels, and ensure we use the specific logo from that era. There’s a ton of attention to detail.”
Dixxon is already working on new partnerships, set to launch next month. One is with Suzuki Cycles, sponsoring the Suzuki motocross team. Fans of rock band Bush and metal band Lamb of God will be excited to learn that the company is also developing additional band-themed flannels, which will be released soon.
However, when it comes to collaborations Vallely said Dixxon will only “run production one time, and once it sells out, you can never give it again,” so fans looking to get the Load-inspired flannel should act quickly and get it before it’s gone. Learn more at dixxon.com.
