Kirk Hammett recently spoke with American Songwriter about Metallica’s current status in the music industry. In addition, he discussed their future plans. The guitarist stated:
“The band seems to be getting bigger. I suppose that is a good thing. We’ll just keep doing what’s positive: making music that brings people together and helps people. That appears to be the band’s mode of operation, and we will continue to serve it. Because it has surpassed so many other things. It goes beyond status, finance, and petty fucking competition. It’s culture at its best, in that it helps and inspires people while also getting them through the day.
Kirk Hammett also claimed that the end of Metallica means the end of music itself. He explains:
“It goes on like this indefinitely. It’s not like someone can wake up and say, ‘That’s the end of Metallica.’ No. It’s like saying the music is over. That will never happen. Music is one of those things that is necessary in life, and thank God we have it.”
James Hetfield Thinks ‘Musicians Never Retire’
James Hetfield offers an alternative viewpoint on the retirement issue. Back in 2015, James stated in the band’s fan club newsletter that the musicians were unable to retire. He insisted that Metallica would continue to make music until they were physically unable to do so. The singer said, as reported by NME:
“Musicians never retire. They just get less popular. People assume you’ve retired, but I’m still writing. It is a part of me. This is what I do on this planet. That, I believe, is why I was assigned to this position. And if I stop doing that, a part of me will die. There is no retirement. So we do what we do until we are physically unable to do so.
Metallica members appear to have a common view on the band’s future. They all have one thing in common that will keep them going after 43 years: the desire to continue making music for their fans.
