Published on March 29, 2024, the article delves into whether James Hetfield’s affinity for cigars has affected his vocal performance.

Approximately two years ago, James Hetfield, alongside Blackened American Whiskey Master Distiller & Blender Rоb Dietrich and Drew Estate Cigars, announced the launch of Blackend’s M81 maduro cigar, followed by the release of the S84 Shade to Black cigar.

Hetfield’s involvement in the cigar project extends beyond mere endorsement, as he incorporates cigar smoking into his lifestyle, even indulging before taking the stage for nearly two-hour performances.

In a recent interview with The Metallica Report podcast, Hetfield addressed concerns regarding the impact of cigar smoke on his voice and performance, stating, “There’s a lot of people around me that are concerned about that and the health and what not.”

Despite these concerns, Hetfield, at 60 years old, believes that cigar smoking hasn’t adversely affected his singing or overall performance quality. He expressed confidence in his current vocal abilities, asserting, “I feel that I am kind of singing the best that I have in a long time and I am doing my best, and I get to enjoy that as well, so we’ll see.”