A Kiwi mum is making international headlines for naming her three children after legendary metal bands Metallica, Slayer and Pantera.
New Zealand journalist and filmmaker David Farrier wrote about the unnamed woman and her offspring in his Webworm newsletter this week.
The good news is the story has been well received around the world and not considered a vulgar display of power.
Prominent music publications like NME, Kerrang, the AV Club, Blabbermouth and Metal Hammer have covered it, with Dutch, German, Chinese, Italian, Spanish and Polish outlets also publishing reports.
When Farrier contacted the woman to let her know he was writing about her, she replied: "Thank you, it's not easy raising three of the heaviest bands."
Metallica - the New Zealander, that is - may just have better metal bonafides than their siblings, as their name also includes Justice For All, after what is widely considered one of the band's best albums.
Birth certificates for both Metallica and Pantera were published in Webworm, although Farrier said he's yet to see that of newest family member Slayer.
Baby names in Aotearoa are restricted with the likes of Prince, King, Royal and even Justice turned down by Registrar-General Jeff Montgomery in the past.
He confirmed to Webworm that Metallica was registered in 2009 by a previous Registrar-General and, if another parent tried to name their baby Metallica today, it would likely also be approved.
"There are no restrictions on naming babies after bands or albums as long as the word used is not generally considered to be offensive and does not resemble an official rank or title," he told Farrier.
After the story went viral around the world, Farrier told subscribers it "appears to have gone the widest" out of any of his Webworm newsletters since he started them in early 2020.
He also shared a Facebook post of the 'Metal Mom' story that had over 2200 shares and 10,000 reactions.
It's impossible to guess how many metal fans around the world are admiring this New Zealand mother's dedication to her favourite music - many are probably saying it goes far beyond driven.
