Nothing Else Matters! Metallica head to Birmingham gig

The shows are in support of their latest album Hardwired . . . To Self-Destruct.

Embracing their adulthood and iconic status, the new album received rave reviews, with critics claiming it’s the best thing they’ve done since The Black album.

The group will play the Genting Arena on Monday.

The band have already sold more than 110 million records around the world as well as winning eight Grammy Awards. Their last six albums have consecutively debuted at number one in the USA chart – giving them a winning streak dating back to 1991. Only the Dave Matthews Band have enjoyed a similar successful sequence of number one records.

Hardwired.. was the Metallica’s tenth studio album and their first in eight years, since 2008’s Death Magnetic. It was the first not to feature songwriting credits from lead guitarist Kirk Hammett, since he joined in 1983.

Lead singer and rhythm guitarist James Hetfield says the chemistry between band members had led to a great-sounding record. The band remained determined to move forward and he was continually writing – racking up hundreds and hundreds of guitar riffs on his phone. His combination with drummer Lars Ulrich remains critical. “There’s something magical that happens when Lars and I get together and I plug into a loud, crunchy guitar sound. It moves me and I can create riffs. It’s great.”

James describes his relationship with Lars as being like a marriage. Except, that given that both are men and both want what they want – it’s even harder. The two love each other most of the time and hate one another from time to time too. His partnership with Lars has been the longest of his life, witihthe exception of family, and it takes continual work. The two have to be honest with each other and communicate regularly.

“Hardwired . . . is a step forward from Death Magnetic, which was harsher to the ear. Hetfield said: “I wanted to combine ‘Kill ‘Em All’ and The Black Album, somehow, with some layers, harmonies and simplicity.”

The band’s inherently-competitive nature means they’re never satisfied with anything but the best. The band want to out-gun their musical rivals but also want to come up with better ideas than each other. Hetfield added: “The older we get, the harder it is, but we’re doing what we can. We’re giving a hundred and ten percent of whatever our mind, body and spirit can do. I think there are bands . . . I mean, not to disagree, but there are a few – Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax — they are still going strong out there, and it’s impressive. That’s all we’re trying to do – we’re trying to do better than the last record. The next record will be better. The next record, I’ll sing better, have a better guitar sound. There’s a hunger for that for us.”

James remains a fan of rock music and never ceases to enjoy listening to it. He likens himself to a boy trapped in a man’s body because he has the same enthusiasm and appetite that he had as a youngster.

And he was thrilled that the band gave Metallica renewed success. Part of the album was inspired by the death of British chanteuse Amy Winehouse, whose tragic death was eulogised in Moth Into Flame.

Norweigan heavy metallers Kvelertak will support Metallica.