Clash Editor-In-Chief, Simon Harper, recently enjoyed a private audience with the four members of Metallica, aiming to navigate the complex web of their hardwired system. In the following excerpt, frontman James Hetfield explains what he thinks it is that sets Metallica apart from the metal scene and has elevated them to the status of being so universally accepted?

"Mmm. That’s a great question," says James. "We’ve always hated any kind of rules, or any attempt to categorize or box us in any way. We don’t like boundaries and limits. And I think right away… heavy metal has the impression that it’s a bit punk, like ‘Fuck the world,’ and ‘We’re us, we’re doing things our way”, and that’s fine, until you don’t fit into their way. You know, cutting your hair or not wearing a leather jacket, or whatever. Doing a ballad: that was one of the things that set us apart right away. I remember almost getting in a fight with a fan in San Francisco. This was about ’89, because ‘Justice…’ had just come out, and we had done a video for the song ‘One’, and the guy said: ‘Fuck you, you sell-out motherfucker. You did a video for MTV, and blah blah blah…’ (Laughs) I felt the need to defend us! It’s like, ‘Why do I need to justify our art to you?’ So, that to us, it disappointed us. It disappointed us that fans would get angry at you for being an artist, or doing what you feel you want to do to explain yourself to the world, or to connect with the world."

Read the extensive interview at ClashMusic.com.

A recent update from Metallica: "It’s that time of year again! We’re here to help you get rolling on your holiday shopping with great deals and limited items. For our collectors out there, we’re psyched to bring you a handful of items that will hit the Met Store at 1 PM, PST on Black Friday, November 24th (scroll down for details). But first…the discounts!

Starting at the stroke of midnight between Thanksgiving and Black Friday, running through 11:59 PM, PST on Cyber Monday, you will find nearly 300 items on sale for at least 20% off (some discounts as high as 75% off – don’t forget to check the Clearance Section) along with over 600 Live Metallica products (including both physical and digital) on sale for 25% off! Our friends at the European Store and LiveMetallica.com will be offering the same great discounts during this time.

Check out some of our favorite door busters like the Hardwired...To Self-Destruct (Deluxe Box Set) for 25% off (Happy 1st Birthday, Hardwired…), the new Sessions Ski & Snowboard Jacket for 30% off, the Tonal Glitch Logo Flex Fit Hat for 35% off, and the Glitch Logo Pullover Hoodie for 40% off! Offers valid while supplies last, so shop early.

And now for the collectors… Introducing the WorldWired 2017 North American Tour Poster Pack. Exactly as it sounds, this item includes the official screen printed poster representing each stop in North America starting with the first show at Foro Sol in Mexico City and ending with Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton for a total of 30 posters! Quantities are extremely limited so be sure to be ready to shop right at 1 PM, PST on Black Friday.

Also hitting the store at 1 PM, PST on Black Friday are two of our favorite items from the past couple years that we’ve managed to get our hands on again! First up, we’re bringing back a limited amount of Metallica: Back to the Front - Deluxe Edition books. You may remember that the deluxe Back to the Front contains a real piece of a Metallica road case from the MOP era. A few random deluxe books ordered this weekend will be very unique as their road case piece will include a bit of the print from the Metallica logo. We’re also bringing back Hardwired...To Self-Destruct (Pink Vinyl), profits from which will still benefit Gilda’s Club NYC!

The final limited item is a design near and dear to our hearts. Starting at 1 PM, PST on Black Friday, you can pick up a Damage, Inc. T-Shirt (White) which was old-school tour shirt and it will only be available this weekend!

The Fine Print: Discount applies to the full retail price of each item and cannot be combined with other discounts such as Legacy Member discounts. For those of you shopping in the European Store, adjust those start and end times to GMT. Not all items will be available in both the Met Store and the European Store and some discounts may vary on clearance and other merchandise."