METALLICA's KIRK HAMMETT: 'Our Music Has An Element Of Danger In It'

METALLICA performed at the 2015 X-Games on June 6 in Austin, Texas. Other artists playing at the extreme sports showcase included Nicki Minaj, Talib Kweli, Kid Ink, PENNYWISE and JOYWAVE.

Regarding being dubbed the perfect soundtrack to the X Games, METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett told Man Cave Daily that he saw the similarities and dug the parallel.

"Our energy goes into our music and gets amplified to the next level," he said. "When people can hear it and tap into it and feel that energy, it's a motivational sort of feeling that comes up over people if they let themselves be energized by it."

He continued: "Our music has an element of danger in it, and the mood that it evokes. It's not dangerous, but there's a certain element of danger. I think a lot of these extreme athletes can relate to that. Our music is the type that sees you through — there's a beginning, middle and an ending. I think extreme athletes want to experience a conclusion and then listen to the next song. I think, psychologically, it helps them maybe see to the end of whatever they are doing — whether it's a race or a trials thing or whatever. It helps them see that there's an end to what they are doing and know they'll make it through."

Hammett added: "But I got to tell you, when I'm out there surfing and there's a fucking wave that's coming at me that's maybe 10 foot, the last thing I'm thinking about is music, man. I'm just thinking I got to be in the right position, I got to be going a certain speed, I got to catch this wave or else… and so for my own process I don't really think about any sort of music — that's just the way I am. When I go running, I don't listen to music, I listen to podcasts."

As previously reported, METALLICA has joined forces with ESPN and Circuit Of The Americas to assist the victims of the recent floods in Texas by donating all money raised from the sale of downloads of the band's show at the X Games to the American Red Cross of Central Texas. All formats of the download, including the high definition versions, are being offered at LiveMetallica.com for the very deeply discounted price of $5.00 each through July 15. Click here to order the show.

Despite insisting that work has been proceeding on a new album, METALLICA has spent a lot of time outside the studio in the last year, with activities that included a string of European all-request shows last summer, a week-long residency on "The Late Show With Craig Ferguson", and the Rock In Rio USA stint in early May.

More festival dates are on the schedule for this summer, including two shows in Montreal and a headlining slot at Lollapalooza in Chicago at the end of July.