METALLICA's JAMES HETFIELD: 'I Wanna Be Alive For My Grandchildren'

Berlin, Germany’s Star FM recently conducted an interview with METALLICA frontman James Hetfield. You can now watch the chat below.

Speaking about how the members of METALLICA stay in shape for the road, Hetfield said: “Well, I think we’ve always been honest with ourselves and [our] music. We have tried to not disappoint each other over the years, and we know that METALLICA is life for us — obviously, besides our families. But I will say that we need to care for METALLICA in every way possible, and health — mind, body and spirit — is very important for us.

“Going on tour at age 53, and people compare us to bands like THE ROLLING STONES or something, [who are] 110 years old and still playing, and it’s amazing. I love that — they are great mentors to look forward to — but I would say that they’re not playing the songs that we play, with the intensity and maybe the athleticism that we do. But it is important to stay healthy. Instead of going to the bars at night, I’m sure we’re getting some sleep. We have someone who’s on the road that’s stretching us before and after the shows. So, yeah, obviously, having healthier foods and… Yeah, the lifestyle has changed; there’s no doubt about it. And basically, I wanna be alive for my grandchildren [laughs], as well as playing on stage.”

According to Billboard, METALLICA will likely top The Billboard 200 albums chart for a sixth time next week, as the band’s latest disc, “Hardwired… To Self-Destruct” is expected to debut at No. 1. The set, which was released on November 18 through the band’s own Blackened Recordings, is projected to move 300,000 equivalent album units in the week ending November 24, with traditional album sales accounting for 280,000 of those units.

The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week based on multi-metric consumption, which includes traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).

Next week’s The Billboard 200 chart is scheduled to be revealed on Sunday, November 27.

“Hardwired… To Self-Destruct” consists of two discs, containing a dozen songs and nearly 80 minutes of music.

METALLICA revealed over the weekend that “Hardwired” is No. 1 in 57 countries, with the album going Top 3 in 75 nations and Top 5 in 105 countries.