Metallica told US military: Stop using our music as torture

In action: James Hetfield of Metallica

Metallica asked the US military to stop using their tracks as instruments of torture, reveals the Navy SEAL who shot Osama Bin Laden.

Named only as The Shooter, he’s told how James Hetfield’s band made contact after discovering their music was being used in war zones.

He tells Esquire (via Spin): “When we first started the war in Iraq we were using Metallica music to soften people up before we interrogated them.

“Metallica got wind of this and they said, ‘Hey, please don’t use our music because we don’t want to promote violence.’

“I thought, ‘Dude, you have an album called Kill ‘Em All.’”

Commanders responded to the band’s requests, however, and instead began using music by Christian metal band Demon Hunter after they made contact.

The Shooter reports: “Demon Hunter said, ‘We’re all about promoting what you do.’ They sent us CDs and patches. I wore my Demon Hunter patch on every mission – I wore it when I blasted Bin Laden.”

In 2008 Hetfield discussed reports that his music was being used to torture prisoners in Guantanamo Bay, saying: “Part of me is proud they chose Metallica, and then part of me is bummed about it. We’ve got nothing to do with this and we’re trying to be apolitical as possible – I think politics and music, at least for us, don’t mix.”

Demon Hunter say: “We have no specific knowledge of our music being used, nor have we ever volunteered it to be used. The debate about enhanced interrogation techniques is for politicians, military intelligence, pundits and others.

“The members of Seal Team 6 and The Shooter are American heroes who deserve our support. We are honoured, humbled and blessed that Demon Hunter was of any support or comfort to Seal Team 6 or anyone in the US military at any time.”

Classic Rock

Newsted still doesn’t regret quitting Metallica

When to say when: Newsted, right, with Metallica

Former Metallica man Jason Newsted has recounted the moment he chose to quit the thrash giants – almost exactly 12 years after he made his decision.

The bassist joined the band in 1986 soon after the death of Cliff Burton. His departure was announced in February 2001, but he’d called a meeting the previous month at which he explained why he thought they needed a year away. When James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett refused, he knew he had to go.

Speaking on Nikki Sixx’s radio show Newsted says: “One of the most important things in life – but especially when we do this kind of accelerated lifestyle – is when to say when.”

He’d become a Metallica member just 25 days after the bus crash that killed Burton, and seven days after that he embarked on his first world tour with them. Asked if it was a “massive amount of stress” he replies: “So much. On everybody: 22-23-year-old kids, metalheads, all dress the same, act the same, feel the same, drink the same. We didn’t know about the grieving process.”

From the moment they started that tour, he says, they “didn’t turn the faucet off until 2001.” He continues: “We went so hard and so long for 15 years. There was never an assessment of the mental deal. Nobody ever came to say, ‘How you doing, bro?’ in a compassionate, caring manner.

“It was like, ‘Keep rockin’, guys – you’re making the world go round for however many thousand people that get paid by what you’re doing.’

“When it came to it, 12 years ago tomorrow, I was addicted to painkillers, my neck was jacked, James was considerably drunk. They were having their first divorces, first children. Big stuff going on in their lives.

“I called the meeting. I said, ‘Dudes, look at us. My suggestion is: one year off, everybody recalibrate, get back to this and let’s go crush it again.’ That’s what I said. Those words.”

Newsted says he “blew himself out” when it took his bandmates less than 25 minutes to reject the idea. “Management comes in, ‘MTV, next thing, make us money,’ and I’m a puddle on the floor. I’m like, ‘There’s my answer.’”

He was replaced by Robert Trujillo in 2003 and later went on to settle his differences with his ex-colleagues, appearing at their Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony in 2009 and also at their 30th anniversary shows two years later. He recently admitted he knew he’d been “a dick” during parts of his Metallica career. He’s now working with his own band, Newsted, who recently released their debut EP, Metal.

Classic Rock

Metallica saved Anthrax’s career

Limelight: Frank Bello with Anthrax

Anthrax bassist Frank Bello has credited Metallica for saving his band’s career by giving them the “kick up the ass” they needed.

The Big 4 shows in 2010 and 2011 – also starring Slayer and Megadeth – forced Anthrax to refocus on delivering acclaimed album Worship Music, which had been blighted by a series of disasters over a number of years.

A reunion with classic-era singer Joey Belladonna resulted in his second departure and ousted frontman John Bush decided not to return. Anthrax hired Dan Nelson but dramatically sacked him on the eve of the album’s release. Bush returned but refused to commit his future to the band, then Belladonna finally made a full-time return. Guitarist Scott Ian recently said the current lineup will be the thrash giants’ last.

With Belladonna finally secured Anthrax re-recorded Worship Music and released it to coincide with the Big 4 show in New York in 2011.

Now Bello tells Pure Grain Audio: “I take my hat off to Metallica. Not only are they our friends, but they really gave us a kick in the ass, which is what we needed to be a band again.

“Metallica’s the biggest band in the world. To be on stage with them, let alone the Big 4, was huge for us. It put us back in the limelight, in front of this whole new fanbase.

“To see 14-year-old kids coming up, saying they love this record, they grew on my bass playing from their father – I love that. That’s what it’s about.”

Bello says of Worship Music: “You’ve gotta come up with the goods. Nobody cares if you don’t come up with the goods. We knew we had something special. It all worked. It was the perfect storm.”

Meanwhile, Slipknot and Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor has revealed he missed out on his chance to work with Anthrax – because his label wouldn’t let him do it.

He was approached about contributing to Worship Music during the period before Belladonna’s return, and says he’d have loved to take them up on the offer.

Taylor tells Radio Metal: “When they sent me some riffs and some music they’d done, I thought it would be fun, not only as a friend but as a fan, to see where the demos could go after my involvement.

“My label forced me out of the project so I wasn’t able to do it. They wanted a new Slipknot album. When I was all set to fly to Chicago and work with Anthrax, the label told me they wouldn’t let me do it.

“At first I was really mad about it but I let it go after a while. I went on to do All Hope Is Gone and Anthrax called Joey back.”

But Taylor adds: “I told them I would love to help them in writing stuff in the future.”

Classic Rock

Metallica To Make Special Announcement

Metallica are to make a special announcement on Tuesday, February 7.

The band have just released a video teaser which says: ‘You’ve seen them at festivals across the world. But you’ve never seen them… Tune in Tuesday, February 7 at 11 a.m. PST. Metallica.com’.

See the video here. And Classic Rock will let you know what this announcement is as soon as it’s made.

Classic Rock

Metallica Release Digital EP

Metallica have just released a four-track digital EP.

Called Beyond Magnetic, it features four songs recorded during the Death Magnetic sessions, but left off the album. The band played one of these each night during last week’s four-night 30^th anniversary run of shows at the Filmore in San Francisco.

The tracks are:

1. Hate Train
   2. Just A Bullet Away
   3. Hell And Back
   4. Rebel Of Babylon

Find out more at www.metallica.com

Classic Rock

Metallica: No More Euro Tours After 2012?

Metallica co-manager Cliff Burnstein says touring Europe may not be a profitable option for his band after next year.

Burnstein, who manages Metallica along with Peter Mensch, told the Wall Street Journal:

“Over the next few years the dollar will be stronger and the euro weaker. If that’s the case I want to take advantage of that by playing more of these shows now, because they will be more profitable for us.

“Look, I’m not an economist, but I have a degree, so it helps. You have to ask yourself, what’s the best time to be doing what, when and where. Prices in Europe are much higher and this isn’t a sustainable situation.

“We’re a US export the same way Coca-Cola is. We look for the best markets to go to – right now Indonesia is on my watch list.”

Metallica will headline the Download festival in June 2012, where they’ll play the Black Album in its entirety.

Classic Rock

Lou Reed And Metallica: New Video

Lou Reed and Metallica have just posted the video for the song The View.

The black and white clip was directed by Darren Aronofsky, and comes from the contentious album Lulu.

View it here.

Classic Rock

METALLICA ‘rare’ performace at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

METALLICA played “Master Of Puppets” and “Enter Sandman” at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on April 4, 2009, with the band’s former bassist Jason Newsted and his replacement, Robert Trujillo, both taking part in the performance (the group played as a five-piece). They also led a “surprise jam” at the end of the night consisting of “Train Kept A Rollin’”, with RED HOT CHILI
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