METALLICA Frontman Speaks About 'Absent' Movie At Arizona's Central Christian Church (Video)

METALLICA frontman James Hetfield spoke about the experience of growing up without a father yesterday (Thursday, May 12) at Central Christian Church in Mesa, Arizona. He was part of a nearly hour-long question-and-answer session following a screening of the award-winning documentary "Absent", exploring the worldwide crisis of absent and disengaged fathers and the negative impact that the "father wound" makes on society.

"I really learned so much from this process," Hetfield told the audience, according to The Arizona Republic. "When [filmmaker] Justin [Hunt] asked me to be a part of this, I had no idea how much it was going to affect me, my family. My relationship with my son has definitely changed quite a bit. The relationship with my girls as well, has just totally stepped up to another level of me showing them how much they should appreciate how beautiful they are just as they are. Tackling some of the issues that are starting to come up with teens. My oldest is turning 13 next month and, you know, learning about sex, learning about dating, learning about puberty, things like that. It's a very scary subject, especially for a dad."

On his faith:

"I was put through some tests as a child, and, you know, religion was really difficult to grasp as a child. My father being the equivalent of a pastor and really hardcore at home, I felt very smothered by all of that and I didn't understand. And I didn't feel free to ask questions about it because that would bring up my lack of faith. So, I have learned what great things have happened to people that can embrace a power greater than themselves. And, myself, being able to let go of the steering wheel and not trying to drive my life and knowing that there is a higher power taking care of all of us."

On whether he and METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich, who has children of his own, ever share parenting tips with one another:

"Yes, we do. Especially after like a couple of months away from each other, which is always good, and you get back together and you say, 'Oh my god, this is happening and can you believe my son is doing this and this.' He's like, 'You too?' And we're sharing stories and he tells me something. It's such a different relationship at this point."

On the strained relationship between Ulrich and Hetfeld during the recording process for the "St. Anger" album, as depicted in the "Some Kind Of Monster" documentary:

"It was so heated, it was so much passion but a lot of it was driven by fear. And we knew deep down that we loved each other so much that nothing was going to tear us apart - even the worst kind of fight that was going on right then or him screaming the f-word in my face. Okay, you get it out. Now, the relationship is unbelievable. We are able to treat each other like brothers."

A couple of video clips of Hetfield's appearance at Central Christian Church can be viewed below.