Indonesian president Joko Widodo is a noted metalhead. Lamb of God's Randy Blythe once joked "finally, a metal president to argue about Slayer record with." President Joko was recently visited by Denmark Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, who clearly did his research and made sure to get the Indonesian president a gift any metalhead would enjoy.
Joko was presented with the new Metallica Master of Puppets box set that was just released. We'd like to assume that in looking for the perfect gift, Rasmusseen stumbled upon our Definitive Heavy Metal Holiday Gift Guide, saw the Metallica box set right up top and made the purchase right away. Although that's likely not what happened, as Metallica drummer and noted Dane Lars Ulrich himself said he personally signed the box set.:
Indonesia’s president @jokowi seemed eager to dig into his diplomatic gift from Denmark: A #MasterOfPuppets box signed by #heavymetal fans’ all-time favorit drummer @larsulrich @metallica pic.twitter.com/Epcq2paywh
— Lars Løkke Rasmussen (@larsloekke) November 28, 2017
In a quote to The Jakarata Post, President Widodo seemed quite pleased:
"Prime Minister Rasmussen understands my favorite [music],” Jokowi said with a wide smile as he received two volumes of the box set, which contains the original eight tracks of heavy metal classics like "Disposable Heroes," "The Things That Should Not Be" and the title track, as well as unreleased demos, mixes and live recordings.
It should be noted of course that Master of Puppets has a special place in the hearts of Danes, as the album was recorded in Copenhagen in 1985 with producer Flemming Rasmussen.
Get your own Metallica Masters box set here.
Despite his penchant for metal, President Joko is widely criticized for his severe stances on the Indonesian drug laws. Earlier this year, Joko got pleas from Axl Rose, Tony Iommi and Napalm Death's Barney Greenway to be lenient on two metalheads who were caught smuggling heroin into the country. Their attempts to convince the President fell on deaf ears.
