METALLICA Book 'The Encyclopaedia Metallica' Due In November

Chrome Dreams has set a November 1 release date for "The Encyclopaedia Metallica", a 300-page paperback written by Jerry Ewing and Malcolm Dome, Compiled from exclusive interviews with the band, "this definitive rock reference chronicles all the facts surrounding one of the biggest metal bands to ever take the stage: METALLICA," according to a book description. "Containing numerous confessions that have never before been published, this A-to-Z listing of all the major subjects close to headbangers' hearts includes songs, albums, gigs, personnel, significant places, and many more. For METALLICA fans and music lovers alike, this guide is sure to enlighten readers with its revelations of rock and roll Babylon."

Malcolm Dome was instrumental in founding the Total Rock Radio station in London, where he still works. He is the coauthor of "Eddie Van Halen: Know the Man, Play the Music" and "Metallica: The Complete Guide to Their Music". Jerry Ewing is a former editor for Metal Hammer magazine and a current member of the Total Rock Radio team.

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METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich told Examiner.com in a new interview that the band's upcoming album will be "heavier" yet more "melodic" than 2003's controversial "St. Anger". Ulrich explained, "Whereas 'St. Anger' was an exercise in over-pummeling the listener, these new songs echo some of our stuff from the '80s — long, epic journeys through different musical landscapes, heavier, but a lot more melodic." When asked whether the new songs will be shorter, in the four-to-five minute range, Ulrich said, "Well, the most of the intros are four to five minutes. I don't know — METALLICA and short songs just don't go that well together."

Although none of the songs have official titles yet, Ulrich revealed that some of the "silly" working titles included "19", "10", "German Soup", "Glass Cow" and "Black Squirrel". Ulrich said the names "relate to where the idea came from, like Glasgow, Scotland became 'Glass Cow'. And when we don't have anything clever to call it, we just call it a number."

The new METALLICA album is tentatively due out in February of 2008.

METALLICA will perform this weekend (October 27-28) at Neil Young's annual Bridge School Benefit in Mountain View, California, along with PEARL JAM's Eddie Vedder, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS bassist Flea and others.