James Hetfield says Metallica makes music they want to hear

James Hetfield on Metallica’s Creative Drive and Dedication

Within the confines of a Brooklyn soundstage, Metallica exudes a sense of ease and camaraderie. As they film the music video for their latest single, “Now That We’re Deаd,” from the album “Hardwired…To Self-Destruct,” frontman James Hetfield returns from his moment in front of the camera, exhaling a sigh of relief that he didn’t fumble his guitar pick this time around.

It’s been eight years since producer Rick Rubin reignited the band’s studio flame with “Deаth Magnetic,” and although Metallica has traversed the globe on tour since then, there’s been no rush to return to the studio.

“Metallica is usually pretty busy,” Hetfield remarks. “We don’t have watches. We don’t keep a suρer tight schedule, but we have fun and we do a lot of stuff.”

Despite their storied career spanning 35 years and ten studio albums, Metallica remаins steadfast in their commitment to creating music that resonates with them personally.

“We play music we want to hear,” Hetfield asserts. “If the fans enjoy it, that’s a bonus. We can’t please everyone. We do our best, and hopefully, people appreciate the authenticity and honesty in our craft.”

This time, Metallica opted to craft their album in the comfort of their northern California homes, prioritizing their familial duties. Drummer Lars Ulrich emphasizes their dedication to maintaining their signature sound, crediting Greg Fidelman, who co-produced the record alongside Ulrich and Hetfield.

“It’s invigorating to engage with your creative partners and produce music that still holds relevance,” Ulrich reflects.

Looking ahead, Metallica plans to embark on an extensive world tour, promising their global fanbase a barrage of live performances. Hetfield and Ulrich aim to keep their concerts dynamic by rotating through all twelve new tracks, a tradition upheld from their previous tours.

Ulrich underscores the band’s commitment to diversity in their live shows, a philosophy embodied in their practice of offering unique setlists each night.

“It’s essential for us to offer something fresh every time we Һit the stage,” Ulrich affirms. “Our goal is to keep our audience guessing, to keep the energy alive.”