METALLICA’s KIRK HAMMETT Speaks On New Album Release Date – “2016, And At The Very Worst, At The Beginning Of 2017”

Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett was interviewed by 103.3 The Edge WEDG-FM radio station and spoke about the writing and recordings sessions for a new Metallica album.

“Well, you know, we’re moving forward. We’re hoping that the album will be released next year. It’s pretty much more along the same lines as ‘Death Magnetic’ — kind of like that direction. And, you know, we’ll see. We’re into it. I don’t wanna say that we’re a third into it, or two-thirds into it, or an eighth into it, ’cause anything could happen that’ll just change that number. But, eventually, you will see a new Metallica album, and it will most likely be in 2016, and at the very worst, at the beginning of 2017.”

Metallica recently relaunched Metallica.com and their fan club. A message follows:

“We’re excited to provide you with a complete digital home for all the latest news and updates, over 30 years of history, photos and videos, and your new Fan Club community as we invite you to become the Fifth Member of Metallica.”

Fans joining the Metallica Club for FREE can check out a new introductory video from Lars Ulrich. The clip includes footage of James Hetfield in the studio at the band’s headquarters in San Rafael, CA, recording guitars with producer Greg Fidelman.

More details at this location.

Speaking with HeavyMetalAbout.com, Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett talks about the band’s musical output and recording material for their follow-up to their 2008 studio release, Death Magnetic.

“One always wants to work at the pace that they’re most comfortable at. It’s been about, what, seven or eight years since our last album? It doesn’t feel like that to me, but I know it is. Our first three albums came out our first three years, and for some reason that boggles my mind nowadays. Back then, it was just what everyone did. New year, new album and tour. Even a generation before that it was every six months a new album and tour. So, having said all that, taking seven or eight years between albums is a lot of time, but we’ve filled it up with other things, like making a movie, making an album with Lou Reed, going on tour pretty regularly.

“Let me just say that I’m grateful that we’re at a point where we can put out an album at our own pace, because there’s just so much other stuff that takes up Metallica time that’s maybe not as equally as important, but just as relevant. So, the answer to your question is yeah, it’s great being able to work at your own pace, and still be able to be a father and be a husband, and everything else that comes in the wake of that. We have songs, and we are recording them, so that’s a good sign.”

Read the complete interview at HeavyMetalAbout.com.

At long last, the Live Metallica vinyl has arrived. Says the band: “With your help voting for your faves, we’ve pressed four shows from the 2014 Metallica By Request tour on 180-gram vinyl. These quadruple vinyl sets from Bogota, Helsinki, Istanbul and Montreal are limited to 500 copies of each show and you may pre-order the four-pack now at a reduced price or pick up a copy of the Montreal show. The three remaining titles will be available one each week in November starting on November 9th, four-packs will ship by the end of that month.”

Check out an Unboxing Video of Metallica’s August 9th, 2014 Montreal show below:

Recorded live at Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal, Canada on August 9, 2014

Tracklisting:

Side One
“Blackened”
“Master of Puppets”
“Welcome Home (Sanitarium)”

Side Two
“Ride the Lightning”
Kirk Solo #1
“The Unforgiven”

Side Three
“Lords of Summer”
“…And Justice for All”

Side Four
“Sad But True”
Bass Solo
“Fade to Black”

Side Five
“Orion”
“One”
“For Whom the Bell Tolls”

Side Six
“Battery”
Kirk Solo #2
“Nothing Else Matters”
“Enter Sandman”

Side Seven
“Creeping Death”
“The Four Horsemen”
“Seek and Destroy”

Side Eight
‘Lords of Summer” (First Pass Version)

For more details visit Metallica.com.