Triple M

We're one of those bands that doesn't really care what people want (Triple M)

Triple M's Higgo was pretty stoked to spend some time backstage at Soundwave with James Hetfield of Metallica and chat to him about all things Metallica including their upcoming 3D movie and new album plans. 

"Yeah, we're trying to write [new material] but gigs keep popping up that are too exciting to stay home for," said Hetfield. "We have lots of material [we've been] working on from the day Death Magnetic ended all the way up until now.

"There's tonnes of material. Some [riffs] stick with me because the theme keeps coming back. Out of 700 riffs there's at least three I've played 20 times."

What are the riffs sounding like? Is it more 'old-school' or is it St. Anger kind of stuff?

"I don't know where it's going yet but we've got lots of different sounds, different styles," he said. "We're certainly not afraid of jumping into past 'feels'.

"After Death Magnetic we've stopped running hard and started embracing some of our past. Master Of Puppets was kind of a core reference for Death Magnetic."

How does Hetfield respond to fans who want Metallica to make an album that sounds like their old stuff like Master Of Puppets? 

"Let's not do that shall we," he laughs. "It's a catch-22 because I completely understand what people want. It's like they're asking you to recreate a memory in their past and you cannot do that. It's a moment of time.

"We're one of those bands that doesn't really care what people want," he laughs.

"We have been artists since day one. We're not going to roll over for anyone and, you know, we're Metallica for a reason and we're going to keep doing that."

James Hetfield of Metallica backstage at Soundwave with Triple M's Higgo (Triple M)

The 3D movie isn't too far away, as well. Hetfield says they've shot tonnes of great footage and they're editing it now, which is proving a big job fitting together the show, storyline and the songs.

"The idea started off as a best of' show. Taking all the effects and props and ideas from all the tours from Ride The Lightning all the way up… Kill 'Em All was just us and a Vodka bottle," he laughs.

"The footage is unbelievable but we wanted a storyline along with it... [it's] about one of the runners in the show who goes on this crazy adventure trying to find this 'bag' that we need for the end of the show. There is a plot but we're still trying to figure it out!"

Listen To James Hetfield

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Higgo broadcasted live from Soundwave and interviewed plenty of bands backstage including Metallica, Anthrax, and Corey Taylor from Stone Sour. You can hear those interviews and more on his metal show Distortion, which airs every Saturday night from 11pm - 1am.

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