James Hetfield

Latest about James Hetfield

Metallica's Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield
“Lars had Styx and REO Speedwagon records. ‘Why are you buying this crap?’”: James Hetfield on Metallica’s early days

By Paul Elliott Published

Plus: Hetfield's memories of his first gig – when AC/DC opened for Aerosmith

Artists
This composite image features Charlie Starr playing a TV Yellow Les Paul Junior on the left, while Metallica's Kirk Hammett plays his Greeny Les Paul Standard, and James Hetfield plays his his ESP Snakebyte.
Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr on that time he took Duane Allman’s '57 Goldtop to a Metallica show

By Jonathan Horsley Published

Starr's first Metallica show was in 1989. His second was in 2019, and involved two of the most iconic Les Pauls of all time, and it was the day he learned Hetfield sounds the same through a Princeton

Artists
James Hetfield [left] and Kirk Hammett harmonise solos as they perform live with Metallica in 1988. Hammett plays a Jackson Rhodes, Hetfield has his trusty white Explorer.
How Metallica wrote the ultimate metal ballad and took thrash into the mainstream with One

By Jonathan Horsley Published

The sound of Metallica in full command, One would prove to be the ultimate thrash metal power ballad

Artists
Metallica frontman James Hetfield performs onstage in front of drummer Lars Ulrich, and plays his Ken Lawrence custom Explorer-style electric guitar, nicknamed "Sun".
Ken Lawrence on how he became James Hetfield's luthier and made some of his most iconic guitars

By Jonathan Horsley Published

How did a specialist in custom-built bass guitars end up making some of the Metallica frontman's most-famous electrics? As it turns out, with a twist of fate and his Mesa/Boogie connection

Artists
James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett rock the crowd at their All Within My Hands fundraiser show in Inglewood, CA. Hetfield plays his legendary white Flying V copy, while Hammett plays his ESP "Mummy" KH Series signature model.
Watch James Hetfield lead Metallica in a swampy blues version of fuel with a Danelectro Baritone

By Jonathan Horsley Published

In 2009, Hetfield told us that the Fuel era was all about loosening up and on Friday night at the Helping Hands charity gig he made good on it as Metallica reimagined Fuel, slower and lower

Artists
james Hetfield of Metallica
“We don’t want to be a legacy band that just plays its greatest hits”: James Hetfield on why Metallica will always play new songs

By Will Simpson Published

James Hetfield on why Metallica will never be a 'legacy' band

Bands
James Hetfield of Metallica performs live on stage at Olympiastadion on May 24, 2024 in Munich, Germany
James Hetfield talks about overcoming anxiety and having faith in his creativity

By Rob Laing Published

"I start to doubt myself, I start to feel insecure that we're too old and we can't do this"

Guitarists
Metallica The Black Album artwork
How Metallica changed tack and gambled with Enter The Sandman via some riff editing from Lars Ulrich

By Sian Llewellyn Published

Via some riff editing from Lars Ulrich

Guitarists
LTD Vulture
"If you’re hoping to dial in the same kind of tones as the world’s biggest metal band and wield a guitar that will turn heads wherever you may roam, look no further": ESP LTD Vulture James Hetfield Signature review

By Amit Sharma Published

Whether you want to jump in the fire or ride the lightning, this latest ESP LTD signature for the Metallica frontman will have you covered…

Electric Guitars
James Hetfield
James Hetfield on Metallica's new creative era: "I don't want to sit there and create the songs with Lars anymore – I want everyone to be a part of it and be in it"

By Rob Laing Published

The frontman is candid about the need for new approaches in an interview with Metallica's fanzine

Bands
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