Metal and Coffee: Powerful Blends by Musicians Every Heavy Music Fan Should Try
In recent years, metal and coffee have unexpectedly grown closer — and this convergence feels entirely natural. Both are associated with energy, focus, and intense sensory experience, whether musical or gastronomic. More and more musicians from the heavy scene are stepping beyond the entertainment industry and launching their own coffee projects, ranging from limited blends to fully developed brands with a clear philosophy and consistent quality.
It is important to note that in many cases these are not merely formal merchandise items. These blends earn recognition among coffee enthusiasts, take part in professional tastings, and confidently compete with products from independent roasters. In this article, we have gathered some of the most notable and interesting examples of how metal and coffee have merged into a single flavor-driven space.
Kirk Hammett — Greeny Blues Blend & Ghoul Screamer
One of the most well-known musicians to enter the coffee industry is Kirk Hammett, guitarist of the legendary band Metallica, who has long been recognized as a passionate coffee lover. He has launched several coffee projects of his own, including Greeny Blues Blend, a dark roast with a rich and intense profile. The blend is based on Arabica beans from African and Asian plantations, giving the drink a complex flavor with deep notes of dark chocolate, earthy undertones, and a subtle fruity sweetness. This makes it an ideal choice for those who enjoy coffee with a pronounced body and aromatic aftertaste. In addition, Hammett also created Ghoul Screamer, a coffee blend sourced from El Salvador with fruity and spicy tones, which has been highly appreciated by fans of dark roasts and creative presentation. These coffee products reflect the musician’s love for strong, deep, and насыщенный coffee that can accompany both early morning wake-up hours and long creative sessions.
Cannibal Corpse — Beheading & Brewing
Cannibal Corpse Beheading & Brewing is one of the most extreme examples where music and coffee come together as a single powerful experience for fans. This coffee was created in the spirit of the band itself, using high-quality organic beans. Its flavor can be described as rich, dense, and dark, with pronounced notes of cedar, vanilla, and malt that harmoniously combine in a single sip. The drink has a full body and moderate acidity, making it ideal for black coffee without any additives, enhancing every flavor note. It is specifically aimed at those who seek not only strength but also complexity in the flavor profile, suitable for both early mornings and late hours of inspiration. This coffee is an excellent example of how metal music brands can create products capable of competing with top-tier coffee blends.
Testament — Brazen Coffee
The band Testament introduced the coffee blend Brazen, which became a reflection of the band’s confident and balanced sound. This coffee features pronounced aromas of chocolate and cedar, creating a warm, deep, and slightly sweet flavor palette. It works equally well as classic black coffee and in more complex drinks such as cappuccino or latte, where its chocolate notes become even more expressive. The blend was released specifically for a major tour event, making it not only a beverage but also a kind of souvenir for fans and travelers. This coffee easily fits into morning rituals when you want not just strength, but also a rich aroma capable of inspiring new achievements.
Ministry — Laughing Monkey Machine
The Laughing Monkey Machine project by Ministry is a coffee with a dense roast and a complex bouquet featuring notes of dark chocolate, berry undertones, and vanilla, creating a rich and multifaceted flavor profile. This character is especially appealing to those who enjoy experimenting with brewing methods: in a French press, it reveals sweetness and body, while in espresso it emphasizes power and intensity. The blend harmoniously combines viscous sweetness with deep bitterness, making it attractive not only to metal fans but also to a broader audience.
GWAR — Berserker Mode
The band GWAR also joined the movement, presenting a coffee that reflects their wild creative spirit. This drink is based on an espresso-oriented roast with rich notes of molasses and fruity sweetness, making it bold, expressive, and slightly unconventional in flavor. It is suited for those who enjoy powerful taste experiences with a contrast of sweetness and deep bitterness, making it an excellent choice for strong morning coffee. This profile also allows it to be used as a base for milk-based drinks, where the sweet notes unfold particularly well.
Charlie Benante (Anthrax) — The Devil You Know
Drummer Charlie Benante of Anthrax also created his own coffee brand, featuring The Devil You Know, a medium roast blend that combines gentle sweetness with subtle chocolate and nutty tones. This coffee has a balanced flavor and medium body, making it ideal for everyday drinking and for those who appreciate smoothness and roundness without extreme bitterness. Fans note that this blend works equally well for filter coffee and alternative brewing methods, emphasizing comfort and a pleasant aroma that pairs easily with desserts or morning breakfasts.
David Ellefson — Ellefson Coffee Co.
Bassist David Ellefson of Megadeth went further by founding his own coffee company, Ellefson Coffee Co., which offers several unique varieties. For example, Roast in Peace is a blend focused on dark caramel, roasted nuts, and chocolate notes, creating a warm and rich flavor profile ideal for slow morning sipping. Meanwhile, Kenya Thrash offers a brighter profile with distinct notes of grapefruit and black pepper, adding fresh acidity and fruity dynamism to the classic coffee palette. This lineup perfectly reflects the musician’s creative range, from warm, dark flavors to vibrant and refreshing accents.
KoRn — Korn Koffee
Finally, the band KoRn created its own coffee line called Korn Koffee, inspired by life on tour and the musicians’ need for a powerful drink during long journeys. The blend is based on beans from Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Peru, resulting in a complex and rich flavor that combines classic coffee bitterness with fruity and chocolate notes. This makes the profile recognizable and appealing to those who enjoy deep roasts with a wide aromatic spectrum, while also highlighting the connection between touring culture and the coffee ritual.
Max and Igor Cavalera — Blood Brothers Coffee
Brothers Max Cavalera and Igor Cavalera — Blood Brothers Coffee — is not just coffee, but a true tribute to the roots of heavy music from iconic members of Sepultura and Cavalera Conspiracy, who infused this drink with their passion and vision of a distinctive flavor profile. This blend of Brazilian coffee beans was created to convey the depth and strength of Brazilian culture — a country where coffee is an integral part of daily life and musical creativity. Blood Brothers Coffee is known as one of the most intense and “powerful” coffees among metal collaborations, featuring notes of brown sugar, chocolate, and juicy cherry. Each sip is rich, aromatic, and multi-layered, delivering both sweetness and deep intensity. This profile perfectly aligns with the energy of heavy music and the ritual of morning awakening, and the coffee has even been recognized at international competitions as a noteworthy example of modern coffee for fans and connoisseurs alike.
Chris Garza — Garza Podcast Coffee
Garza Podcast Coffee by Chris Garza (Suicide Silence) is a balanced and multi-layered blend that stands out for its ability to combine complex aromas with a smooth texture. The flavor foundation includes notes of tobacco, milk chocolate, spices, and a light citrus freshness, making it appealing not only to heavy music fans but also to those who appreciate complex coffee profiles. This bouquet allows the drink to remain versatile, performing well in both filter brewing and French press, revealing different characteristics depending on the method. Garza Podcast Coffee does not aim to be the darkest or strongest blend on the market, but it excels through depth, aroma, and balance, making it an excellent everyday choice for those who value rich yet non-aggressive flavors.
Ice Nine Kills — Sip To Be Scared
Ice Nine Kills — Sip To Be Scared is a coffee inspired by horror-rock aesthetics, where each flavor note resembles a musical track with an intriguing mood. The primary aromatic accents of chocolate sorbet and roasted nuts create a warm, soft, and slightly sweet palette, ideal for those who enjoy dessert-style coffee. The drink has a medium body, making it versatile: it opens beautifully both as black coffee and in milk-based drinks such as latte or cappuccino. This profile makes Sip To Be Scared an excellent choice for a cozy morning or a relaxed coffee break when you want a rich aroma with a gentle sweet foundation rather than sheer strength.
Dave Lombardo (Slayer) — Double Kick Coffee
Double Kick Coffee by Dave Lombardo (Slayer) has as much character as the drummer himself. It combines dense chocolate notes, dark brown sugar, and bright citrus echoes that add unexpected freshness against a full-bodied base. This combination makes it an interesting choice for those who enjoy classic dark roasts but want an additional aromatic accent that elevates the flavor to a new level. Double Kick Coffee works especially well as espresso or strong black coffee, where each component of the aroma reveals itself differently depending on brewing strength and water temperature. This coffee reflects Lombardo’s musical style: powerful, intense, and unexpectedly bright — much like his drumming, where heavy rhythm meets dynamic transitions.
Motörhead — Speedfreak Coffee
Speedfreak Coffee by Motörhead embodies the spirit of one of the most uncompromising rock legends. Deep and rich notes of dark chocolate, caramel, and cocoa create a powerful yet very drinkable coffee profile. It suits lovers of strong and expressive coffee that retains a warm, slightly sweet foundation even in a dark roast. This combination works equally well in classic black coffee and in milk-based drinks, where caramel and chocolate accents become especially pronounced. Speedfreak Coffee has become a popular choice among Motörhead fans precisely because of this balance of intensity and rich aroma, reflecting the band’s character: powerful, straightforward, and deep.
Soulfly — Healer Coffee
Soulfly Healer Coffee is a coffee with a rich, sweet-leaning composition where chocolate, vanilla, fig, and praline play leading roles, creating a complex, warm, and aromatic profile. This flavor makes it ideal for those who prefer intense yet smooth coffee experiences with pronounced dessert-like nuances. It is excellent for filter coffee and also opens beautifully in milk-based drinks, where the sweet notes and creamy texture are enhanced. Soulfly Healer Coffee is an excellent choice for those who want a strong, interesting cup with a deep aroma reminiscent of favorite desserts combined with classic bold coffee, turning each serving into a true flavor ritual.
In Conclusion
Metal-coffee projects have long ceased to be an exotic novelty. For many musicians, coffee has become an extension of their creative identity — another way to convey character, energy, and personal taste. What unites these blends is not only their connection to the heavy music scene, but also a commitment to quality, expressiveness, and individuality.
This kind of coffee works as a ritual: it energizes, sets the mood, and creates the feeling that the morning begins with a favorite album — just in the form of a cup.
Collage by RiLu
