Rather than just make “Stranger Things” merchandise featuring the logo or maybe the main characters, Netflix opted to go the world-building route and make T-shirts modeled after the characters’ Dungeons and Dragons group—the Hellfire Club.
Fans could either grab a raglan tee like the ones the characters wore on the show, or they could get things like sneakers featuring the hand-drawn logo.
Now, Netflix teamed up with none other than Metallica for another Hellfire Club co-branding experience.
Here, we must get into some “Stranger Things” spoilers, so stop reading if you don’t want season four ruined for you:
At the end of the season, the character Eddie grabs his guitar in the Upside Down and shreds the solo of Metallica’s “Master of Puppets.”
Eddie, dungeon master of the Hellfire Club, is a new character on this season of the show, and this was a memorable moment in the series, as guitar solos always rule.
The Metallica shirt, which is just a little different than the original Hellfire Club shirt, is available on both Netflix’s store and Metallica’s.
“Been fighting Demogorgons, slaying evil, closing portals to the Upside Down?” the Metallica webstore says. “Oh, no? Just hanging at a Metallica show? That’s cool, you can still dress the part!”
Rather than medieval weaponry flanking a hand-drawn devil, this one has flaming electric guitars around a slightly more detailed devil, and “Metallica” at the top over a smaller-text “Hellfire Club.”
The design is available once again in a raglan style, but also a plain black T-shirt or black hoodie.
We’re having the most metal meeting ever of The Hellfire Club so we’re scouting out “lost sheep” and outsiders to join. Do you think you have what it takes? Then suit up!
🔥 https://t.co/KNrZON9z2H
🔥 https://t.co/QQv9aOpU4g
🔥 https://t.co/7GW38ZBaZl pic.twitter.com/0iypggZFDA— Metallica (@Metallica) August 3, 2022
Bands have been getting creative with their merchandise, especially the ones that are slowly transitioning from working acts to legacy acts. Metallica got a nice little boost with younger audiences thanks to “Master of Puppets” being included in the show, so it’s smart to capitalize on that and maybe attract some merchandise buyers who otherwise might not have even heard of the band.
From Netflix’s perspective, it’s just another layer of lore and references to the plot. Another shirt with the “Stranger Things” logo would be fine, but by changing things up, Netflix can encourage repeat buys every season while potentially attracting new subscribers and merch-buyers through the Metallica connection.
We can only imagine what they’ll do for the next season, which the creators say will be their last. Here’s hoping for some “Panama.”
