In advance of the release of Metallica’s new album, Hardwired... To Self Destruct, drummer Lars Ulrich granted Rolling Stone one of his most introspective interviews ever, speaking in depth about the spoils of success, how he handles regret and what makes him tick. An excerpt follows:

Rolling Stone: What's the best part of success?

Lars Ulrich: “On the personal side, giving back to your family. On the musical side, it's having the freedom to go in whichever direction you want to. A case in point would be that we don't go on tour for longer than two weeks at a time. We did almost 200 shows in two-week increments for [2008's] Death Magnetic. We don't want to miss out on seeing our kids.”

RS: What's the worst part?

L.U.: “I don't think there is a "worst part" [laughs]. I think you should stop whining and be happy that somebody gives a shit.”

RS: Some people might complain about being spotted while out.

L.U.: “We sort of occupy a kind of a middle ground on that side of it, in terms of fame and celebrity. We live in northern California; we don't get bothered to the point where it's a nuisance. I don't know what it's like to be Tom Cruise or somebody at that level. I think we're just about well enough known to get into any restaurant that we want [laughs], and we don't get bothered or hounded by paparazzi to the point where it's a nuisance.”

RS: Who are your heroes?

L.U.: “People who challenge the status quo. In no particular order: my dad, Steve Jobs, James Hetfield, [painter] Mark Rothko. People who encourage you to be selfless, like [Salesforce CEO] Marc Benioff. People like Ritchie Blackmore who are completely impulsive – you have no idea what's gonna come out of his mouth or his guitar three minutes from now. [Metallica co-manager] Cliff Burnstein always taught me to think differently and independently and outside the box.”

RS: Why is James one of your heroes?

L.U.: “He is just the coolest musician. He's put up with my shit for 35 years, so there's gotta be appreciation in there for that. Sometimes I think he may be underappreciated in terms of just how vast his talent is.”

Read the full interview at RollingStone.com.

Ulrich recently checked in with a first look at physical CD copies of Hardwired... To Self Destruct, presented in his own unique way...

Hardwired...To Self-Destruct, is due for release via the band's own Blackened Recordings on November 18th and is their first studio album since 2008's multi-platinum Death Magnetic. The album was produced by Greg Fidelman, who engineered and mixed Death Magnetic, and is available for pre-order at metallica.com in various configurations including: CD, Vinyl, Digital, Deluxe, and Deluxe Deluxe Versions.

Check out BraveWords’ overview of the album here.

Deluxe Edition (Digital Download and CD)

Disc One
“Hardwired”
“Atlas, Rise!”
“Now That We’re Dead”
“Moth Into Flame”
“Am I Savage?”
“Halo On Fire”

Disc Two
“Confusion”
“Dream No More”
“ManUNkind”
“Here Comes Revenge”
“Murder One”
“Spit Out The Bone”

Disc Three (Bonus)
“Lords of Summer” (2016)
“Ronnie Rising Medley”
“When a Blind Man Cries”
“Remember Tomorrow”
“Helpless’ (Live at Rasputin Music)
“Hit the Lights” (Live at Rasputin Music)
“The Four Horsemen’ (Live at Rasputin Music)
“Ride the Lightning’ (Live at Rasputin Music)
“Fade to Black” (Live at Rasputin Music)
‘Jump in the Fire” (Live at Rasputin Music)
‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ (Live at Rasputin Music)
“Creeping Death” (Live at Rasputin Music)
“Metal Militia” (Live at Rasputin Music)
“Hardwired” (Live in Minneapolis)

“Hardwired” video:

“Moth Into Flame” video:

“Atlas, Rise!” video: