A man dressed in a striking death metal T-shirt captured the spotlight on the blue carpet alongside pop icon Miley Cyrus. But who is this intriguing figure?!

The man in the spotlight is Panos Cosmatos, and the death metal shirt he proudly displays features the artwork of last year’s most talked-about underground band, Blood Incantation. While the carpet was technically blue during this event, the essence of the “red carpet” moment remains unchanged, highlighting the blend of pop culture and metal fandom.

This captivating image has quickly circulated among metal enthusiasts, with many rushing to comment on Miley Cyrus’s Instagram slideshow, showcasing their metal cred to a crowd of pop music admirers. We’re definitely among them—guilty as charged!

Read on to uncover more about Panos Cosmatos, his impressive body of work, his connection to Miley Cyrus, and why it’s essential for you, as a devoted metal fan, to take note of this encounter.

Discover Panos Cosmatos: Acclaimed Filmmaker and His Connection with Miley Cyrus

Panos Cosmatos is a talented 51-year-old Italian-Canadian filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer, whose career has spanned since 1993. He has made significant strides in the film industry, gaining recognition for his unique storytelling style.

He is most celebrated for the 2018 surrealist action horror film Mandy, featuring the renowned actor Nicolas Cage. Additionally, Cosmatos is known for his dark and psychedelic 2010 science fiction horror film, Beyond the Black Rainbow, which features music contributions from the legendary guitarist Stephen O’Malley of Sunn O))), a band that has significantly influenced the drone metal genre.

Notably, Mike Portnoy, the drummer for the progressive metal band Dream Theater, has expressed his admiration for both Blood Incantation and Beyond the Black Rainbow, highlighting the crossover appeal of Cosmatos’s work among metal fans. Here at Loudwire, we share that passion, as we are also fans of this innovative death metal band and Cosmatos’s unsettling cinematic experience, which resonates deeply with many metal enthusiasts and progressive rock aficionados alike.

READ MORE: Miley Cyrus Is a Rock Star, Get Over It – Here’s 10 Reasons Why

Panos Cosmatos attended the world premiere of Something Beautiful With Miley Cyrus, held at the prestigious Beacon Theatre on Broadway in New York City, coinciding with the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival. He is one of the producers behind this exclusive 55-minute conversation featuring Miley Cyrus, collaborating with co-producers Nick Spicer, Nate Bolotin, Aram Tertzakian, and of course, Cyrus herself.

As the duo posed together on the blue carpet, Cosmatos proudly showcased his death metal roots, while other attendees might have been left puzzled by the intricate and often illegible logo emblazoned on his shirt.

This moment marks yet another triumph for Blood Incantation, who captured the attention of the metal community with their bold and adventurous album Absolute Elsewhere, released in 2014. This album has consistently topped numerous year-end lists, including some of our own at Loudwire. Don’t miss out—get your copy of this groundbreaking album from Loudwire’s vinyl shop just below!