Allegedly Tom Hanks Used To Be a Fan of Napalm Death

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Shane Embury: Shadowgate, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons / Tom Hanks: Dick Thomas Johnson, CC BY-SA 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
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It is always surprising and fun to learn which non-metal celebrities are actually metalheads – like, who would have thought that Tom Hanks of all people was once into Napalm Death?

As part of a special feature with Metal Hammer, Napalm Death member Shane Embury reflected on his and the band’s history. At one point during this feature, Embury brings up how back in the day he heard that, supposedly, actor Tom Hanks was once a Napalm Death fan.

We say once because, per Embury, he heard that Hanks was actually talking shit about the band; Hanks supposedly said that the band “were shit” after a particular record of theirs came out.

Per Embury talking about this Tom Hanks story:

“I’ve seen Jim Carrey talking about Napalm Death a few times. Maybe that’s why Cannibal Corpse got the Ace Ventura gig! We’ve heard some strange tales that there’s a lot of comedians and actors out there who really like Napalm Death.

“When we toured with Crowbar, Barney [Greenway, vocals] got their guitar tech a Villa top. A few years later we run into him, and he tells Barney that he works on film sets now as a key grip. He says he’s working on a movie with Tom Hanks, and Hanks comes over to say, ‘Interesting soccer top you’ve got there.’ He says thanks, and he got it from his friend from Napalm Death, and Hanks apparently said, ‘Napalm Death? They were shit after Utopia Banished.’ I’ve no idea if that’s true, though!”

Utopia Banished is the band’s fourth studio album which was released in 1992. If this is believed to be true, then it seems that Hanks was much more of a fan of Napalm Death’s first four albums, which would also include Scum, From Enslavement to Obliteration, and Harmony Corruption.

What other Hollywood celebrities could be into Napalm Death? Perhaps the amazing Nicolas Cage?

What is your favorite Napalm Death album?

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