Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media, Inc.
Believe Metallica is content with their past accomplishments? Think Again.
Lars Ulrich, the drummer and co-founder of Metallica, recently discussed what continues to motivate the band as they enter their fifth decade together.
He shared these insights during an appearance on the SmartLess podcast, hosted by actors Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes. The podcast is known for connecting people from diverse backgrounds and fostering a sense of unity through meaningful conversations and humor.
In the conversation, Ulrich pointed out that despite having performed at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on nine occasions over their career, their recent two-night performance at MetLife Stadium (the “new” home of the New York Giants and New York Jets since 2010) on August 4 and 6 marked the two largest shows the California-based band has ever played in the Tri-State Area throughout their more than four-decade career.
While Lars Ulrich attempted to downplay the significance of this achievement by framing it as not a boast about Metallica’s size in 2023, but rather an illustration of the desire for people to embrace live experiences again in a post-Covid world, his podcast hosts made an important point. They emphasized that people are not just coming out to see any artist; Metallica deserves credit for their enduring legacy and continued relevance.
Lars Ulrich elaborates on what continues to drive Metallica, stating, “I think a significant part of what drives us to this day is that we’re kinda led by the mantra of, our best days are still ahead of us, and our favorite record is the one we haven’t made yet. And that we actually may turn professional and do this for real one day.” He humorously adds, “[Laughs].”
Ulrich also attributes the beginning of Metallica’s musical journey to “the energy of the universe” that brought him and James Hetfield together in 1981. He acknowledges that, at the time, they had many differences, but what united them was their shared status as loners, misfits, and individuals who felt disenfranchised. They lived in their own worlds, listened to their own music, and led fairly isolated lives. Consequently, Ulrich and Hetfield became like the brothers neither of them had, collaborating on songwriting and creating a world that they wanted to inhabit. During this period, there was no focus on goals, fame, or success; they were simply crafting the world they desired.
