METALLICA Frontman: 'There's Always Gonna Be Darkness'

METALLICA frontman James Hetfield says in a new video interview posted at DazedDigital.com that the darkness in most of his lyrics over the years comes out of "a combination of things," adding, "A lot of it stems from the traumatic things that happened to me in my childhood, some alienating factors, you know." Now that Hetfield has turned his life around since 2001, getting sober and forming a closer bond with his family and bandmates, The Pulse of Radio asked him where he thinks the dark subject matter of his songs comes from these days. "Well, I think a lot of this darkness is coming from actually seeing the light side," he said. "You know, you don't recognize what you have until you've almost lost it. The near death experience of METALLICA during the ['Some Kind Of'] 'Monster' movie was pretty profound, and I think when you notice that, it's easier to write about, 'Hey, we almost died.' But there's always gonna be darkness. I mean, there's always fear and anxiety and unanswered questions in us all, and I feel fine visiting them."

In the DazedDigital.com interview, Hetfield also talks about his days as an alcoholic, saying, "I romanticize it at times. I don't remember all the horrible crap. Life seemed a lot more simple back then." But he adds, "It eventually just took over, just like any addiction."

METALLICA is currently touring in Europe but will launch a North American trek in September 14 in Nashville.

The band will also play a benefit for the Marin County Museum in Northern California on September 11, and join U2, ERIC CLAPTON, ARETHA FRANKLIN and others on October 29-30 at New York's Madison Square Garden to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.