In an extraordinary display of musical appreciation, Albuquerque's mayor Tim Keller has bestowed a unique honor upon thrash metal legends TESTAMENT and death metal pioneers POSSESSED. The bands were presented with keys to the city prior to their October 23 concert at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
Mayor Keller, a self-proclaimed metalhead, personally handed over the symbolic keys to the members of TESTAMENT and POSSESSED's Jeff Becerra. These aren't ordinary keys - they're modeled after those once used to unlock the city's jail cells, adding a fitting touch of rebellion to the gesture.
TESTAMENT shared the news on social media, posting a photo of the band posing with Mayor Keller and the keys. They expressed their gratitude, saying, "Thanks to the Keller Bros and the City of Albuquerque for this great honor and to the ABQ fans for always making the band feel so at home in 'The Duke City!'"
The mayor's metal enthusiasm didn't stop at the key ceremony. During TESTAMENT's performance of their 1987 hit "Over The Wall," Mayor Keller took his support to new heights by crowd surfing, much to the delight of concertgoers.
Jeff Becerra of POSSESSED also shared his appreciation on social media, posting a photo of his key and expressing support for Mayor Keller and the Democratic party in New Mexico.
This isn't the first time Mayor Keller has shown his love for heavy metal. Earlier this month, he presented a key to the city to Max Cavalera of SOULFLY. Keller, born and raised in Albuquerque, is known for his passion for metal music and has been spotted at numerous shows in the city. He's even introduced bands like ANTHRAX and TRIVIUM on stage.
In a 2018 interview with The New York Times, Keller acknowledged Albuquerque's strong heavy metal scene, stating, "What can I say, this is something I've been into for a long time." He's also expressed his admiration for the Brazilian band SEPULTURA, describing their music as "empowering."
As Albuquerque continues to embrace its reputation as a metal-friendly city, fans and musicians alike can appreciate having a mayor who shares their passion for hard-hitting riffs and thunderous beats.