Moshing to ’80s Thrash Metal in Air Jordan 4s
@xxretro_firexx is flipping through internet archives and old magazines to uncover an unlikely pairing.
Music and footwear are intertwined. As subgenres of rock evolved throughout the final decades of the 20th century, the sneaker world underwent a similar transformation. This connection is commonly seen through the lens of hip-hop, as artists throughout the ’80s and ’90s crafted a new sound and helped forge what would become the foundations of streetwear.
Even still, thanks to the technological advancements of brands like Nike and the complete cultural dominance of Michael Jordan, sneakers transcended every layer of society, becoming statement pieces far beyond the court—including on stages worn by influential metal bands. Enter Retro Fire.
Sourcing imagery from social media, fan forums and archival magazines, @xxretro_firexx chronicles the close but often overlooked relationship between metal and sneakers. From Anthrax’s Dan Spitz in ‘Sport Blue’ Air Jordan 6s to thrash guitarist Gary Holt’s love of the ‘White Cement’ 4s, Retro Fire casts some of the most iconic MJ sneakers in a lesser-seen light.
Ahead of the 2025 remaster of ‘White Cement,’ we catch up with the curator of the account to talk ’80s aesthetics, cameos on sitcoms and finding common ground with Wiz Khalifa.