“Side-project” has long been a four-letter word in the minds of Metallica. From the moment James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich co-founded the thrash metal heavyweight in 1981, it’s been their sole outlet, with the pair seldom turning up in other artists’ music. In fact, in the case of drummer Lars, he’s only manned the kit on record for one other band.
Lars, a Dane who moved to America in 1980, has always been one of the most outspoken champions of ’80s metal that you’ll ever hear. His passion for New Wave Of British Heavy Metal heroes like Iron Maiden and Diamond Head is well documented, but another of the drummer’s greatest idols are countrymen Mercyful Fate, led by the falsetto-screeching monarch King Diamond.
