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As I was flipping through the Black Templars codex, I was struck by two Metallica references on one page. Check out page 23, where it lists the special BT rules, there is a heading entitled Kill Them All, then the very next section is No Pity, No Remorse, No Fear!

And I can;t remember where I saw it, but there was a Forge World named Metalica.

Has anyone else noticed these? Is Games Workshop a fan of the Four Horsemen?

I would say that Kill 'em All and the other one are simple a coincendence, as they sound like standard things you would hear in 40k. However, Metalica was probably a subliminal reference. Maybe one of the Codex designers was a fan.

I agree. The forge world might be a slight reference, but it does sound like something that would be a place in 40k if the band never existed.

The other two things are almost certainly not references. Metallica doesn't have sole ownership over all the two word combinations they use.

There are some Metallica references in 40k.

The Poena Metallica Battlecry from the Warhammer 40k Compendium is "Ride the Lightning"

According to Lexicanum anyway. And I know RtL did not originate with them, but the Poena Metallica thing kind of gives it away.

Ironically, I'm listening to Ride the Lightning right now...

Xca|iber wrote:Ironically, I'm listening to Ride the Lightning right now...

Good choice my friend

There's a Titan legion named "Legio Metallica" and they are the most rockin' of all Titan legions!

Codex: Black Templars was written by Graham McNeill, and I am pretty sure that I have read works by him that feature turns of phrase taken word-for-word from Metallica and Slayer lyrics. I think the book was Storm of Iron but I am not going to pore through my Black Library collection to locate the quotes. That said, I don't think the examples from the Black Templars codex are anything more than coincidence - the passage in the novel was pretty much an entire verse from Reign in Blood.

Valkyrie wrote:

Xca|iber wrote:Ironically, I'm listening to Ride the Lightning right now...

Good choice my friend

I agree. I wish Metallica would realize that they are old men, and cant really do the thrash stuff anymore. Wish they would just stop making music. Touring is fine, but pumping out cds is just out for them.

KingCracker wrote:

Valkyrie wrote:

Xca|iber wrote:Ironically, I'm listening to Ride the Lightning right now...

Good choice my friend

I agree. I wish Metallica would realize that they are old men, and cant really do the thrash stuff anymore. Wish they would just stop making music. Touring is fine, but pumping out cds is just out for them.

Really? I thought Death Magnetic was pretty good, although it's not as good as Master of Puppets or Ride the Lightning.

"Of Wolf and Man" is one of my wolves' theme songs.

Valkyrie wrote:Really? I thought Death Magnetic was pretty good, although it's not as good as Master of Puppets or Ride the Lightning.

It was good and after St. Anger anything was welcome.

What about the Dwarfs? It's Slayer this and Slayer that, everywhere... Orange-haired tattooed and pierced suicidal maniacs. THAT'S Metal!!!

KingCracker wrote:

Valkyrie wrote:

Xca|iber wrote:Ironically, I'm listening to Ride the Lightning right now...

Good choice my friend

I agree. I wish Metallica would realize that they are old men, and cant really do the thrash stuff anymore. Wish they would just stop making music. Touring is fine, but pumping out cds is just out for them.

Have you heard Megadeth's latest album? They have about the same age, and Engame kicks ass.

My buddy who runs 15 Black Templar terminators has considered giving them all lightning claws and he wants their battlecry to be "Ride the Lightning!"

I think that's really grasping for a Metallica reference. They're just words that sound cool and nasty, and only a coincidence .

Abadabadoobaddon wrote:Codex: Black Templars was written by Graham McNeill, and I am pretty sure that I have read works by him that feature turns of phrase taken word-for-word from Metallica and Slayer lyrics. I think the book was Storm of Iron but I am not going to pore through my Black Library collection to locate the quotes. That said, I don't think the examples from the Black Templars codex are anything more than coincidence - the passage in the novel was pretty much an entire verse from Reign in Blood.

I doubt it's coincidence. The Rogue Trader, 2nd Edition books and old White Dwarves are full of blatant Metallica, Megadeath and Slayer references. I guess that's been phased out in the recent years, but pre- 3rd edition it was really obvious that the design team was full of metal fans.

Also, Boltthrower.

At least you don't live on "the black planet of Brimingham," voted the worst place to live in the Imperium nine millenia running!

Valkyrie wrote:I would say that Kill 'em All and the other one are simple a coincendence, as they sound like standard things you would hear in 40k. However, Metalica was probably a subliminal reference. Maybe one of the Codex designers was a fan.

A coincidence that they have a rule for one of the most popular chapters named after the first album Metallica released ('No Life Till Leather' doesn't count)? I don't know that's a bit of a stretch there chief.

@ OP: Nice job, I know I've seen the references before and made a conection or two in my mind but I've never brought them together, I would say at least one author their is\was a fellow fan.

There's a rule called "No Life till Leather"?!

I was looking over my battle-buddies shoulder as he read the Chaos codex and I saw a chapter heading for Creeping Death!

I haven't read too many of the RT or 2nd edition books, what Slayer and Megadeth references are there?

Valkyrie wrote:

Xca|iber wrote:Ironically, I'm listening to Ride the Lightning right now...

Good choice my friend

I agree!! GIVE ME FUEL GIVE ME FIRE!!!

SoloFalcon1138 wrote:I was looking over my battle-buddies shoulder as he read the Chaos codex and I saw a chapter heading for Creeping Death!

I haven't read too many of the RT or 2nd edition books, what Slayer and Megadeth references are there?

The Creeping Death is one of the plagues that struck Egypt in the old testament. Metallica made an awesome song based on it, but I don't think it's primarily used as a Metallica reference.

To be fair though, a lot of old GW stuff is based on silly, silly things. There was a character named after a cake maker or something of the sort, but I couldn't for the life of me recall who it was.

i heard in RT there was a character called arnold rambo stalone or something. pretty sure if there is i got it confused, but i have an excuse!

Considering that all the old school designers were metal heads, and they like putting pop culture references everywhere, anything that seems like a reference probably is.

Ahshran wrote:
I agree!! GIVE ME FUEL GIVE ME FIRE!!!

Salamanders?

Listen to bolt thrower, they based their songs on 40k and were hired by GW I think. Their are pretty good.

And I also thought Death magnetic was good, Sonuds like they are going back to their roots in that album. And im listing to disposable heros right now.

I have and they are awesome!