The Latest Breaking News from James Hetfield

“12 seconds into the opening night with U2, I thought, ‘We have to do this’”: Metallica announces Sphere residency – and they’ll be spared from the issues all other guitar bands have faced so far

John Mayer, Bob Weir, Trey Anastasio and The Edge have all been confronted the same issue when playing at the Sphere – but it should be a smoother ride for Metallica

Guitar World · Feb 26

Metallica announces eight-show residency at Las Vegas Sphere

‘Surprise! The world’s worst-kept secret is now official,’ the heavy metal band announced

The Independent UK · Feb 26

“Lars and I saw him headbanging at the Whiskey. ‘Let’s get that guitar player… oh, he’s playing bass!’ This skinny dude with bell bottoms, playing a wah solo. ‘Wow, we need him!’”: James Hetfield on the life and death of Metallica legend Cliff Burton

“I feel like Cliff was my ally in the battle”

MusicRadar · Feb 25

“I remember Lars was unwrapping all these Styx and REO Speedwagon records and I’m going, ‘What are you buying this crap for?’”: Why James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich didn’t always see eye to eye in Metallica’s early days

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

MusicRadar · Feb 2

“Every song we came up with was like the greatest thing. Every time we’d write another it was like, ‘Oh my god’”: Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax and more remember how thrash metal took over the world 40 years ago

1986 was the year where thrash metal broke through. We got the genre’s leading bands to look back on those whirlwind 12 months.

Metal Hammer · Jan 30

“He took offense to that and we hung up, and I don't remember speaking to him since then”: Ahead of Megadeth's final album, Dave Mustaine sets the record straight on why he and James Hetfield don’t talk anymore

The story goes way back to Metallica's legendary No Life 'Til Leather demo

Guitar World · Jan 29

"You guys got more money than God, why do you have to take my money?" Dave Mustaine on his conversation with James Hetfield that ended Metallica's plan to release their legendary No Life 'Til Leather demo on vinyl and CD

Dave Mustaine understandably isn't prepared to be pressured into backing down on his contributions to Metallica's early success

Metal Hammer · Jan 28

“I wouldn’t say I’m an alcoholic – but then, you know, alcoholics say they’re not alcoholics”: The chaotic and confusing story of Metallica’s abandoned album

In 2001, Metallica hired an old army barracks in California to try and record album eight. The songs were scrapped when James Hetfield entered rehab, but many fans still want to hear them finished.

Metal Hammer · Jan 28

“For James Hetfield fans, this guitar is a no-brainer”: Epiphone Explorer 80s EMG review

Epiphone's latest Explorer delivers the ultimate unofficial tribute for Metallica fans

Guitar World · Jan 27

A Hetfield-esque white 80s Explorer with EMGs, long-tenon necks and rosewood fingerboards for all: Epiphone revamps core lineup with the Inspired By Gibson series

NAMM 2026: Laurel is out, rosewood is in for all but entry-level models, as upgrades come across the board

MusicRadar · Jan 27