Singer James Hetfield talks about life with Metallica
James Hetfield opens up about life with Metallica
Metallica is not alone in having to compete with its own ghost — don’t we all?
But given the metal icons’ influence early on — plus the passion of their intergenerational and global fan base — few musical acts have been so scrutinized.
While 1991’s self-titled Metallica sold more than 20 million copies — one million in Canada alone — the price of this ferociously successful left turn was that many longtime fans have craved albums with the power of Kill ’Em All, or the majesty of Ride the Lighting and Master of Puppets — the latter of which arrived in record stores 31 years ago.
“It’s always fun to have someone tell you what you should do,” laughs 54-year-old lead singer and songwriter James Hetfield. “Especially when you’re an artist.”
But amid Metallica’s decades of sold-out tours, nine Grammys, 100-million album sales and killer songs on more recent albums like St. Anger and Death Magnetic, let’s not ignore this cheerful news: Last year’s Hardwired … to Self-Destruct not only ranks with the band’s best efforts, it echoes the aforementioned recordings in that it’s both heavy on thrash and radio friendly.
Hardwired had just gone platinum the morning Hetfield did this interview.
Q How does selling a million Hardwired records feel at this stage?
A That’s unbelievable, I tell you. Unexpected, for sure. It’s all bonus, man.
Q And how’s your health, all that?
A We’re touring age appropriately (laughs) 54-55. … Two weeks on, two weeks off. No two-in-arows. And that’s how we need to do it to stay sane and healthy. We’re happy to still be playing after this long, still love what we do.
Q My colleague says he’s photographed 1,500 bands live, but that you guys are the best band to shoot.
A Well, we’re good posers (laughs).
Q I’d say on Hardwired you’ve captured some of the complexity and thrashiness of Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets. I know a lot of fans are always hoping for that early sound …
A You can’t deny their passion about it. We certainly don’t want to go backwards. We’re here to move forward, but also, we know what we do best. All that stuff naturally happens — we did not set out to make Kill ’Em All again. I’m pretty surprised people have embraced it as early, early Metallica, because to me it doesn’t sound like that. Maybe some of the guitar harmonies, certain riffs? But it’s nice people are able to hear what they need to in what we like creating.
Q Can you say something you admire about each of the band members — let’s start with the new guy, who’s been around for a long time now, Robert Trujillo.
A Been in the band longer than any bass player. He will forever be the new guy. Hopefully, there’s not another new guy. He’s extremely dedicated. He’s always practising. He challenges us: “How ’bout we try this?” A dedicated musician.
Q And drummer Lars Ulrich, what do you admire most about him?
A He does not take no for an answer. That’s good and bad when you’re a partner in a business (laughs). When you sic that bulldog onto somebody else, it’s great. He’s really good at the big picture where I can get stuck in details. He’s very into what a fan would love — he’s the biggest Metallica fan there is.
Q And Kirk Hammett?
A He’s got an innocence about him. He’s not really concerned about life; he flows through it really well and good things happen to him. He doesn’t feel the need to control things.
Q Looking back on it, your legendary bass player Cliff Burton, rest in peace, was someone you knew when you were a kid. I know he gets brought up, but do you think about him often?
A Absolutely. Fans mention him, and he’s still alive in their hearts. Every once in a while when I need some energy — I can’t connect with some eyes to drain some energy — I will think about Cliff and think, he’d want to let loose.
Q Can you describe Canadian metal fans?
A (Laughs hard) I can’t describe any Metallica fans now. They look so different now, from gender to age to colour to careers. Everyone is showing up with their kids, their parents. There isn’t a specific look anymore. I could describe them 20 years ago, but it has morphed and changed.
Q Do you miss having long hair?
A Yeah. When we’re on stage. But the rest of the time? No, man — not at all.