Freeway - Metallica

Metallica

Some time in the end of this winter Metallica is planning to release their 8:th original album.
The last record Reload was released in 1997.
But why haven't they released an album earlier?

It is probably because of the record Garage Inc and the record S&M. Garage Inc is a cover record that Metallica has made, taking their favourite tracks and recording them in Metallica style. For example "Whiskey in the Jar" made by Thin Lizzy. They also made the live record S&M. Which is the San Fransisco Symphony Orcestra playing Metallica songs, with a release of two brand new songs, "No Leaf Clover" and "Minus Human". Another reason why they haven't made another record is that James Hetfield (the singer/co guitarist) has had some problems with alcohol. He was admitted to a rehabilitation facility to undergo treatment for alcoholism and other addictions in July 2001. Another problem is that Jason Newsted surprisingly decided to leave the Metallica family after 14 years as Metallica's bass player in January 2001. Jason has had a band that he has been working on for some years. They are called "Echobrain", and when he left Metallica they took it seriously and released a record and started a tour. Currently Metallica's producer Bob Rock plays the bass on the record they are recording right now. Jason has now left "Echobrain" and we do not have the information of what he is up to in the future. He said in an interview that it is possible that he will become a Metrallica bass player once again if the situation feels right both for him and the other guys in the band. For you guitarmaniacs Kirk Hammett was injured while he was surfing and is taking a short brake in the recording process. (When this article is being read he will already be back in buisness).

As you should know Metallica is one of the worlds greatest bands and why is that?
We belive that one of the recipies for Metallica's sucsess is their ability to evolve as a band and produce new songs with a new sound. Their way of playing live on stage made them one of the most energic and progressive bands there is to see. James Hetfield's lyrics combined with the heavy riffs and Lars Ulrich fast/heavy drumming and Kirk Hammetts amazing solo´s make Metallica who they are. From the early records to the later ones they have gone from trash metal to heavy rock. That can be one of the reasons why there are so many Metallica fans all over the world.

Other coming releases are:

The Swizz Beatz record, "G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories", featuring the song "We Did It Again" (Metallica, Swizz Beatz and Ja Rule) will be released in December 2002.

James Hetfield has recently completed his work on a contribution for the forthcoming Waylon Jennings tribute album, to be released in February 2003.

The Ramones tribute album will be released in March 2003 and Metallica is playing one of the tracks on this cd, the song "53rd & 3rd". Other bands are "Red Hot Chili Peppers", "U2", "Kiss", "Marilyn Manson", "Green Day", "The Offspring" and some more.