METALLICA's ULRICH: 'There Is Nothing Left To Prove'

June 14, 2003

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich recently told USA Today that he is realistic about "St. Anger"'s chances of being a multi-platinum success. "If nothing else, whether this (album) sells seven copies or 7 million, we proved it's possible to make a fast, aggressive, angry, dynamic album fueled on nothing but positive vibes," he said. "Five years ago, that would have been impossible. I don't have any delusions of grandeur about this record in terms of magnitude or numbers. I do have a pretty good barometer for the temperature around me, and there's a lot of love being thrown in METALLICA's direction at the moment.

"Nobody has any idea how this will do in the marketplace, whatever that is anymore. Obviously, it sits a little left of center. It feels like we're outsiders again, poking and prodding."

With regards to the album's musical direction, METALLICA guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield said, "We rarely go into the studio with a specific vision. The more we played the fast stuff, the better it felt. Then we had our mission: Let's make the most relentless, punishing songs we can. Part of me wanted to prove to the world, after Napster, after [former bassist] Jason [Newsted left] and all the trauma, that METALLICA is alive and stronger than ever. Another part of me knows we don't need to prove anything."

Ulrich concurred. "There's nothing left to prove. The only statement I'd want to make is: It's been 22 years, we're still here, and a fair number of people still consider us relevant." Read more here.

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