James Hetfield on Metallica’s New Creative Era: “I don’t want to sit there and create the songs with Lars anymore,” Hetfield revealed. “I want everyone to be a part of it and be in it”

James Hetfield hasn’t done many interviews for Metallica’s new 72 Seasons album, but his conversation with the band’s So What! fanzine offers a deep dive into the band’s evolving creative process. Hetfield, candid as ever, discusses a shift away from the traditional Hetfield/Ulrich songwriting dynamic towards a more inclusive approach involving the entire band.

“We opened up,” Hetfield shares. “I was much more ready to open my heart to everyone in the band: lyrically, emotionally, and creatively. I went out of my way to sаy, ‘Send in your riffs. We need stuff, c’mon.'” This marks a significant change from the past, where Hetfield and Lars Ulrich primarily drove the songwriting.

“I don’t want to sit there with [only] Lars and create the songs anymore,” Hetfield continues. “I want everyone to be a part of it and be in it. Can we all show up? Can we all be in the studio together? Can we jam on these things together? Can you speak up and sаy what you think might be great and not so great?” This inclusive approach, though challenging, has brought a new dynamic to the band’s creative process.

Kirk Hammett, speaking to So What! earlier, noted that this change allowed him to contribute more to the writing process. But how did Lars Ulrich adapt to this “four chiefs instead of just two” model? Hetfield reflects, “There were times when all four would be in the studio, and Lars would look at me, asking, ‘What do you feel the next part is?’ And I would just be quiet. I’d sаy, ‘What do you guys think? What are you feeling?’ It felt freeing to sit back and let the process happen more naturally.”

Hetfield acknowledges the feаr of change but embraces it within the studio. “As an artist, I like those challenges,” he says. “Even if there wasn’t input from others, just having that space for input was great. We might’ve gone through ten ideas that didn’t work to get to one that did, but if you’re not out there mining for gold, you’re not gonna find any.”

In addition to discussing the creative process, Hetfield also talked about his continuous quest for the perfect guitar tone. “I’m always searching for a better guitar sound,” he admitted. “And I end up with stuff I’ve used before because it just sounds the best, and that’s okay. It’s helping me speak.”

Hetfield highlighted his use of several iconic guitars during the recording of 72 Seasons. The Copperhead guitar, known for its thick, painted exterior, stood out as a mainstay. “It sounds great as a main guitar,” he said. Other notable guitars included the So What! guitar, the EET FUƙ guitar, and his first electric guitar, the Electra V, which made a comeback before recording Deаth Magnetic.

Reflecting on his history with the Electra V, Hetfield shared, “It’s hаnging up in the control room, and I get to pick it up and play it. With all its nicks and damage, it feels comfortable, plays easy, and sounds lively and young. That guitar is probably never going to go away. Hopefully, it’ll come with me to the grave.”

This deep connection to his guitars, especially the Electra V, serves as a reminder of his journey. “It does remind me of the Kιll ’Em All tour, for sure,” Hetfield explained. “That was the only guitar I had, so it’s got to remind me of that. But we’ve been through Һell and heaven together. It has died a few times and come back to life. The neck’s been broken, the headstock’s come off three times, and the tailpiece just broke on this album. But it’s a survivor, like me, and this guitar has been a great friend.”