Lamb of God Throw First Pitch, Perform Anthem at Richmond Ballpark’s Inaugural Heavy Metal Night

The Richmond Flying Squirrels game turned into something closer to a proper local metal rite when Lamb of God stepped onto the field for CarMax Park’s inaugural Heavy Metal Night. The band handled the ceremonial first pitch and then delivered a live rendition of the national anthem, guitar feedback echoing off the grandstand instead of a prerecorded organ. In a sport where pregame rituals are usually stitched to tradition, swapping out the standard fanfare for a full-throttle metal lineup felt both natural and pointed.

Bassist John Campbell threw the first pitch. Moments later, guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler stood at home plate and performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” through amplifiers. There was no distortion gimmick, no forced crossover theatrics. Just a band deeply rooted in the city’s culture representing a sound that has defined Richmond for decades. For a sport that rarely acknowledges heavy music beyond stadium rock clichés, this wasn’t a novelty slot. It was a brief, accurate glimpse of what the city actually sounds like.