Metallica

A diehard Metallica fan was finally able to shave off his beard he vowed never to cut until the band released a new studio album.

Mick Cassidy, 37, told his wife Maendi in 2006 that he wouldn't cut his facial hair until the metal band released the long awaited follow-up to 'St Anger'.

"It was a relief," said Dublin-born Cassidy, whose beard had grown to an impressive 12-inches. "The beard made me look like a tomato with hair."

According to the Sun newspaper, Metallica's James Hetfield also trimmed his facial hair in honour of Cassidy's achievement at the band's album launch party.

In the meantime, Mr Cassidy's beard has become a popular attraction on the internet with around 65,000 people charting its growth.

Death Magnetic is Metallica's 12th album and was released earlier this month, five years after the band's last CD.