In tomorrow's Kerrang! magazine we bring you a Metallica world exclusive.
With the disappointment of 2003's St. Anger and the emotional hysteria that came with it firmly behind them, Metallica tell K! scribe Ian Winwood that they are back to prove they are the kings of metal, once and for all, with new album Death Magnetic.
"This album has a hunger and a youthfulness about it," frontman James Hetfield told Kerrang!. "We had a new producer, a new bass player... And we worked really hard to get it right. So when you ask me if it is good, if it's really good, I can honestly say, 'Yes it is!'.
"We understand the importance of staying relevant," he continues. "We understand the importance of playing new songs. We understand how important it is not to become a nostalgia act. No one in the band wants us to be that. [Metallica] still has something to offer. No matter what the public thinks, as a band we will do what we have to do. We always have."
"I think we're all aware of the danger of becoming a band that exists in the past," adds guitarist Hammett. "I think any band that's been around as long as we have has to face that. But [Death Magnetic] is going to prove to people that we never lost our ability to make an album like this. We just chose not to. And I'll stand by those words."
When we asked the band how they'd rate their upcoming longplayer (which is released September 12) out of Kerrang!'s K rating system - five being the best, one being the worst - bassist Robert Trujillo replied:
"I'd give it 10Ks!"
For the full story, be sure to pick up a copy of tomorrow's Kerrang! magazine.
