In a new interview with Citizens Of Humanity Lars Ulrich was asked about Metallica’s upcoming tenth studio album, due for release sometime this year.

Ulrich said: “It’s probably a little less frenetic than the last record. The last one Rick Rubin really encouraged us to for the first time be inspired by our past. It was the first time we sort of looked in the rearview mirror. This time around it’s a little bit of a different thing. We’re not working with Rick, we’re working with the engineer from the last record, who’s producing, Greg Fidelman. So there’s some of the same production elements at play, but we’re expanding a little bit on the sonics. It’s probably a bit more of a diverse record than the last one. It’s exciting, but I don’t have quite the perspective yet.”

When the time came to create some imagery for their new MyTheresa denim capsule, Citizens Of Humanity tapped a lensman with a different sort of cred - Ulrich. CoH’s lineup of six styles was inspired by the metal scene of the ’80s and early ’90s, over which Metallica loomed so large. Ulrich (who had dabbled in photography in the past) captured his wife, Jessica Miller, wearing the pieces; a veteran model, she walked for houses from Chanel to Marc Jacobs in the aughts before retiring from the runway.

Vogue.com, caught up with Ulrich, who’s been busy in the studio finishing up Metallica’s next record, to talk about working with his wife, his personal style, and fashion’s newfound taste for all things metal. A couple of excerpts follows:

Q: How did the project come about? How did you initially receive the idea of it?

A: “Three or four months ago, I was approached via my publicist about doing a piece in the Citizens of Humanity magazine with Justin O’Shea. [He’s] a really cool guy and I had always been aware of him from the sidelines, so when the idea presented itself via the magazine to do something together, I jumped at it. [O’Shea and I] just hit it off. It felt like we were kindred souls or lost brothers, so we’re hanging out the whole day, shooting stuff for the magazine, he’s interviewing me and we’re talking, and last thing he was doing [at MyTheresa] before he went on to Brioni was this new denim collection inspired by harder rock bands in the ’80s, my own included. Metallica was one of his inspirations in putting [it] together, and basically by the end of the day, we were going, “Wouldn’t it be fun if I shot photos of my wife for the launch?” It wasn’t something that came through branding people; it was literally just Justin and me hanging out.”

Q: What’s your take on fashion’s newfound interest in metal iconography?

A: “I’m generally a very open person, so I think that we can all inspire each other and share. I always like when things [move] across genres. I’ve always struggled with being put into a particular label or group, so I love when mixtures happen. If there’s a thing happening in fashion at the moment where harder rock or metal are helping to inspire things that are happening, then that’s awesome.

Read more at Vogue.com.

Metallica has completed the recordings for their upcoming 10th studio album, expected later this year.

Speaking with NBC Sports on June 6th prior to Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final between the San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins, Metallica singer James Hetfield revealed: "We're mixing it now, so hopefully by fall it'll be out and hitting people's ears. We're super stoked about it. It's been a long time coming, and, you know, this is what we do. We love playing, and the next album is exactly what it's supposed to be, so we're excited about it."

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