Metallica’s James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett spoke to Guitar World about their new album, Hardwired...To Self-Destruct, out this Friday (November 18th).

Guitar World: I really like that fact that you broke the album into two discs. It feels more like vinyl in a way. It’s sort of Side A and Side B.

James Hetfield: “When we’re writing songs, we don’t think about whether it’s going to fit on one CD, it’s more about variety and trying to capture every aspect of what we do. We just had too much music to fit on one disc, so we put it on two. We didn’t really think about it being like vinyl, but I get where you’re coming from.”

Guitar World: After the experimentation of albums like Lulu and St. Anger, it feels like between Death Magnetic and Hardwired…To Self-Destruct you’ve settled on a new sound that really works for the band.

Hetfield: “I’m always looking for our sound. Sometimes I’m not sure if we have one! We’re always trying to evolve into something better. We thought St. Anger was better, but sonically it was too harsh for some people. That album was feral…very feral. Perhaps the connection you’re hearing between Hardwired and Death Magnetic is that Greg Fidelman engineered both.”

Guitar World: It’s a bit more than that. The arrangements are streamlined in similar ways and both are in standard tuning, which is rare for a metal band these days. They both have almost a high-octane rockabilly element to them.

Kirk Hammett: “I see what you’re saying. A lot of this record is sort of mutant boogie-woogie from the depths of hell with oil and gravel all over it! I’d say the riffs are overall more simple and groove-oriented. It has a high energy, mischievous feel. Whenever I play “Hardwired” and we go into that second riff, I love it because it sounds so reckless, but we’re completely in control.:

Hetfield: “Yes, in some ways they’re a bit like the early records. Playing in standard tuning gives both albums a more youthful and urgent feel that drop tuning doesn’t have. We drop live, which makes our sound heavier and easier for my vocals, but the show provides the energy. On a record, standard tuning lifts it and adds excitement.”

The excerpt above is from the Holiday 2016 issue of Guitar World. For the full interview, check out the new issue of Guitar World.

Metallica’s intimate live performance this Friday, November 18th at House Of Vans in London will be streamed live online.

Says the band: “It’s almost here... a new Metallica record finally hits the streets this Friday, November 18! To celebrate we’ll be playing live at the very intimate House Of Vans in London for Fifth Members and lucky winners of the Vans ticket contest. We hit the stage at 9 PM, GMT that night and we want you to be a part of the madness as the show will stream live!!

“Grab your favourite beverage, your Metalli-friends and settle in to be a part of the festivities by hitting Metallica.com or YouTube. If you’re busy that night, no worries - the entire show will be available on demand in its entirety for seven days after the event.

“Eight years in the making and Hardwired…To Self-Destruct is almost here. Celebrate around the world with us through the magic of the internet. See you there!”

To celebrate the holidays and their new album, Hardwired...To Self-Destruct, Metallica have announced a special Oakland show. A band statement follows:

"In the last two months, we’ve been to New York City, Latin America and Europe so it’s about time we plan some festivities to celebrate the release of Hardwired…To Self-Destruct right at home in the Bay Area! And what better way to wind down the year than a special Fifth Members show in our own backyard at the historic Fox Theater in Oakland, CA as we hit the stage there on December 17th for the last time in 2016... it promises to be quite the party!

“If you would like to join us and you’re a Fifth Member, click here to enter to win an opportunity to purchase up to two tickets per member in a special pre-sale that begins on Thursday, November 17th at 10:00 AM. Fifth Member tickets will be specially priced at $25 each and all the proceeds will be donated to the Alameda County Community Food Bank. Winners will be e-mailed a personal code on November 16th along with more details about how to purchase tickets to the exclusive one-of-a-kind show.

“If you’re not a Fifth Member, you’ll still have a chance to purchase up to two tickets per person on Friday, November 18th at 10:00 AM PST at Ticketmaster.com for a price of $100 each, again with all proceeds donated to the Alameda County Community Food Bank. Everyone who comes to the show is encouraged to celebrate the spirit of holidays by bringing a donation of canned goods to the venue that night and we’ll have collection bins by all the entrances.

Take a break from the shopping and merriment to spread some holiday cheer with us in Oakland!!"

Metallica is due to play Beijing, China for the first time ever on January 18th. Tickets will be available on November 17th starting at 2 PM through the ticketing hotline 400-610-3721 and online via Damai.cn.

Metallica will celebrate the release of Hardwired...To Self-Destruct with fans and independent record stores around the world as part of Blackened Friday.
 
Starting on Thursday November 17th, 100 independent record stores will open at midnight to sell the new album. Stores will be stocked with music, prizes and additional limited edition exclusive items to give away free with purchase. On Friday the 18th during their normal business hours, stores around the world will be hosting Blackened Friday events with music and giveaways of limited edition items. All items available while supplies last. Contact your local store for details.

For more information on Blackened Friday, visit here and follow along at #BlackenedFriday.

Hardwired...To Self-Destruct is due for release on 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!”: