The estate of late METALLICA bassist Cliff Burton has partnered with KnuckleBonz, Inc. to build a dedicated Cliff Burton Museum inside KnuckleBonz360, the company's 3D immersive digital platform, launching this summer.
The museum will let fans explore a digital recreation of Burton's story, from his Bay Area roots through the live performances that defined his brief but influential run with METALLICA, before his death in a 1986 tour bus accident in Sweden. The space includes mini-games, fan connection features and exclusive digital collectibles, alongside multiplayer exploration, and ties into KnuckleBonz360's broader "BackStage Experience," which is set to include more than 20 band-themed digital worlds launching throughout 2026. A new hand-crafted physical Cliff Burton collectible is also planned for release later this year.
KnuckleBonz CEO Tony Simerman framed the project as a tribute to Burton's lasting influence on his instrument. "Cliff Burton redefined the role of the bass guitar in thrash, and his influence is stronger than ever," Simerman said. The Cliff Burton estate echoed that sentiment in a statement: "Cliff's music and spirit continue to inspire fans around the world, and our family is proud to celebrate his legacy."
Burton joined METALLICA in 1982 and played on the band's first three studio albums, "Kill 'Em All" (1983), "Ride The Lightning" (1984) and "Master Of Puppets" (1986), bringing a classically trained, melodic approach to bass playing that helped define the band's early sound, including his solo showcase "(Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth." His death at age 24 remains one of the defining tragedies of thrash metal's formative years, and METALLICA has continued to honor his memory across decades of touring and reissues.
The Cliff Burton Museum adds a new, interactive format to that ongoing legacy, joining KnuckleBonz's existing roster of digital and physical tributes to major rock and metal figures.