Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett sat down with Sam Dunn in Los Angeles after a taping of That Metal Show in 2011, and discussed why metal means so much, and the innovations of Jimi Hendrix and Robert Fripp. This extended interview excerpt is presented raw and uncut, with new director's commentary.

Metallica released their new album, Hardwired…To Self-Destruct, last Friday (November 18th). The band checked in to let us know how the album is doing:

“Now that the four of us are back at home, getting settled and decompressing after one of the craziest, wildest and greatest weeks of our career, word has gotten to us over the weekend that Hardwired...To Self-Destruct is number one in a staggering 57 countries, Top 3 in 75 countries and Top 5 in 105 countries! We’re not quite sure we can even name 105 countries!

“Wow... what an insane awesome ride it’s been. We are stunned, beyond grateful and truly appreciative that not only have Metallica fans embraced Hardwired…To Self-Destruct beyond our wildest expectations, but more importantly, we’re proud to see that hard rock and metal is still viable and matters in 2016…TO SO MANY PEOPLE! The support, excitement, and love from all corners of the planet means so much to us and we are sincerely blown away by the response.

“The story has just begun and there is so much more to come, but we want to thank you for making this such a special time in Metallica history. We look forward to seeing you out on the road as we’re just getting started here. Please keep your posts, photos, comments, critiques and stories coming our way!!”

Check out BraveWords’ 8.5/10 review of the new album at this location.

Hardwired...To Self-Destruct is Metallica’s 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 at Metallica.com in various configurations including: CD, Vinyl, Digital, Deluxe, and Deluxe Deluxe Versions.

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)

"Lords of Summer" video:

"Spit Out The Bone" video:

"Murder One" video:

"Halo On Fire" video:

"Am I Savage" video:

“Here Comes Revenge” video:

“Now That We’re Dead” video:

“ManUNkind” video:

“Confusion” video:

“Dream No More” video:

“Hardwired” video:

“Moth Into Flame” video:

“Atlas, Rise!”: