From their earliest days in the ’80s, when radio refused to play them and they had to rely mainly on word of mouth to sell records, Metallica have always been keenly attentive to their fans. That may explain why – while the band routinely turns down press interview requests – it continues to pop online for Web chats at the Metallica Club Web site.
Wednesday, following their first concert performance as a band since frontman James Hetfield exited rehab, Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist Kirk Hammett logged on unannounced and fielded questions from about 20 club members for nearly an hour.
During the chat, the band revealed that the working title of the new song it played the night before is “Dead Kennedy” or “DK Roll,” and that the track was written about one of Hetfield’s new hotrods. Metallica also offered a little insight into their other new material, which Ulrich described as “heavy, less blues, more aggro, more f–ed up, weirder sounds, busier drumming.” He added that the band has enjoyed a “new energy” since they re-entered the studio with Hetfield.
The band dismissed rumors that ex-Alice in Chains bassist Mike Inez or former Megadeth bassist Dave Ellefson would help them out in the studio, and again stated that producer Bob Rock, who has recorded all of the bass parts for the new material so far, will likely not join Metallica full time, and will probably not tour with the band. In addition, Ulrich mentioned that former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted was at Tuesday’s surprise show, but left before anyone in the band had the chance to speak with him.
Finally, the drummer said that Metallica have recorded four Ramones covers, “Commando,” “Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World,” “53rd & 3rd” and “Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue,” and are currently deciding which one to use on the upcoming tribute album We’re a Happy Family. Ulrich added that the three unused songs will likely appear as future Metallica B-sides.
