Some people wore witches' hats for Halloween. Others wore ghoulish face paint.
But in Northcote, a group of musicians donned black T-shirts and smashed out a rendition of the 1991 Metallica hit Enter Sandman.
The song may be 25 years old, but that didn't stop drummer Archie Coffey, 10, and bassist sister Alice, 12, joining in the five minutes of mayhem at the Town Hall.
"It's an intergenerational work," said Joseph O'Farrell ("JOF"), who created the event with friend and musical director Chris Green. "We've got fathers and sons, young female players, and then quite 'elder' statesmen who have been playing the song since it was released."
Machines puffed smoke into the chilly October air as an AUSLAN interpreter translated JOF's introduction (even the hearing challenged could feel the thump of the dual drum kits and ensemble of rumbling guitars). There were weird dancers, dogs wearing Jolly Rodger bandanas, and free ear plugs – which few people used.
Archie and a second drummer, plus other "signature musicians", led the onslaught from the stage while the "chorus" – which even included a ukelele – tore up the neighbourhood in front. The audience called for an encore, but the directive was to cut the noise.
The event, part of the 20th annual Darebin Music Feast, was the first ever gig for some participants. Others – like Metallica tribute act Damage Inc, who flew down from Sydney for the occasion – were seasoned professionals.
Performing tributes en masse is becoming a trend. Earlier this year countless Kate Bush fans around the world donned red dresses and learnt the dance moves for "the most Wuthering Heights day ever". Last year 1000 Italian Foo Fighters fans performed their hit Learn to Fly.
JOF, a community performance artist who splits his time between London and Melbourne, said he wanted to create a work that celebrated "all the die-hard musos out there" who don't necessarily make money out of their passion. He and Green first played Enter Sandman together as teenagers in a garage band.
A callout for the event saw families from regional towns, local music schools and Metallica fan clubs signing up to participate.
Despite appearances – there were tatts, piercings, denim and leather aplenty at the event – JOF thinks metal-heads are often misunderstood.
"When metal fans are walking down the street they can look so imposing and scary, but when we're all in the room together, we're such a wonderful, generous gang," he said.
The Darebin Music Feast runs until November 6.
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