Metallica Discuss Death Magnetic Attraction To Rubin

Metallica are gearing up for the highly anticipated release of 'Death Magnetic' next month and the album will be the first time the band got to work with super producer Rick Rubin. Rubin, who has had a hand in producing some of the worlds biggest selling albums, won the Grammy Award for Producer of the Year in 2007 for his work that year producing albums from The Dixie Chicks, Justin Timberlake, Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2, Green Day, and Johnny Cash. Metallica, having parted ways with former producer Bob Rock, who even performed bass duties on the bands last album 'St. Anger,' decided to make a move over to Rubin and the band couldn't be more excited for the new blood only Rubin could bring to the studio.

Video clip :

Metallica, having parted ways with former producer Bob Rock, who even performed bass duties on the bands last album 'St. Anger,' decided to make a move over to Rubin and they band couldn't be more excited for the album to finally be released.

We caught up with James Hetfield to get his thoughts on Rick Rubin being the chosen one, even though Bob Rock might be missed.

 James Hetfield On Rick Rubin Being The Chosen One For Metallica Producer

"You know we're doing it at home. We have our own HQ up there, our studio up there and you know, we got home lives and it's OK. We got 5 hours per day lets go for it, you know. We're on our own and we're doing our best. Rick Rubin producing, whenever he's there. We are kind of on our own there, which is a little scary. Let's stay focused. We've always had a Bob Rock there to help us stay focused and we're kind of taking that role over ourselves. Bob is missed but it's time for some new blood. So Rick is the chosen one."

Metallica are currently back in Europe touring in support of 'Death Magnetic' after a few notable shows in America like Ozzfest, Bonnaroo and a small club show at The Wiltern in Los Angeles benefiting Flea's Silverlake Music Conservatory. Metallica's European Tour concludes August 24th at The Reading Festival. Metallica have also just announced a run of North American tour dates beginning October 21st in Arizona and extending until January 31st in New Jersey.

In related news, the band's new single, "The Day That Never Comes", will be premiered exclusively on Zane Lowe's show on BBC Radio 1 tomorrow (August 21st) between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. UK time. To listen to the program live via the Internet, go to this location.

Comments

[Wiirdo]

Interesting read.

[Mootallica]

It was interesting. It's known knowledge though that when they had Bob Rock, they had little lead over their own creations without Bobs influence (Look at the change in style from Pre Bob-Rock to Bob Rock), and look how it is changing now with Rick Rubin. When was the last time metallica released a metal track (not rock) that went for 7 minutes and sounded half decent?

This album will be good. It's been long overdue, lets just hope they dont stuff it up.

[Sanitarium91]

It feels like Rubin is just letting them do what they want. Which is worrying, but hopefully Metallica knows what they're doing, cause it seems they want to get more back to their roots, but hopefully the result won't be anything like what happend with St.Anger.

Also, can't wait to hear what the song sounds like. My guess is that it's the ballad, even though they should've probably chosen

[Sanitarium91]

...somethig thrashier.

[IainDavies_2]

this is really old news, but whatever, they have to keep people interested. and btw, Cyanide was really cool. it kinda has a Ride The Lightning sound to me, just a bit slower, with the droning riff it sound really reverby, which RTL was. i reall yhope the 1st new song they played is on it. it gives me chills whenever i watch on youtube.

[irishman]

awesome, cant wait to hear it. gonna see em tonight!

[lmb.f.gd's lamb]

yay!!!!!

[Cjk10000]

IainDavies_2 wrote:

this is really old news, but whatever, they have to keep people interested. and btw, Cyanide was really cool. it kinda has a Ride The Lightning sound to me, just a bit slower, with the droning riff it sound really reverby, which RTL was. i reall yhope the 1st new song they played is on it. it gives me chills whenever i watch on youtube.

Are you sure you heard the right one? There are fake songs everywhere. I don't think any songs have been leaked yet, unless you're a Metclub member.

[Delanoir]

Cjk10000 wrote:

IainDavies_2 wrote:

this is really old news, but whatever, they have to keep people interested. and btw, Cyanide was really cool. it kinda has a Ride The Lightning sound to me, just a bit slower, with the droning riff it sound really reverby, which RTL was. i reall yhope the 1st new song they played is on it. it gives me chills whenever i watch on youtube.

Are you sure you heard the right one? There are fake songs everywhere. I don't think any songs have been leaked yet, unless you're a Metclub member.

Yeah, they played Cyanide at Ozzfest. It's on youtube.

[DP_SF_DTX_RATM]

IainDavies_2 wrote:

this is really old news, but whatever, they have to keep people interested. and btw, Cyanide was really cool. it kinda has a Ride The Lightning sound to me, just a bit slower, with the droning riff it sound really reverby, which RTL was. i reall yhope the 1st new song they played is on it. it gives me chills whenever i watch on youtube.

Really? Anything with a Ride the Lightning sound is good to me!

checked

[waterbear91]

If you go to metallica's website you can listen samples from there album (2 atm) i think there updating everday for now at least. Anyways, including cyanide, all of it sounds promising to me.

[sowhat360]

Sanitarium91 wrote:

It feels like Rubin is just letting them do what they want. Which is worrying, but hopefully Metallica knows what they're doing, cause it seems they want to get more back to their roots, but hopefully the result won't be anything like what happend with St.Anger.

Also, can't wait to hear what the song sounds like. My guess is that it's the ballad, even though they should've probably chosen

it seems to me that rubin can focus on the little things that can make an album feel more real. he suggested to not use a click track. pretty simple but they've used a click track on everything they've ever made except kill em all. not that its the same but I know he had neil diamond record his last couple albums singing and playing the guitar at the same time. made it feel more real and not over produced and the albums were considered the guys best work in years. rubins got his own basically hands off style and i think it always works out pretty well.

[Birchall17]

i reall yhope the 1st new song they played is on it. it gives me chills whenever i watch on youtube.

Yeah it will be on there, Im a platinum Mission Metallica member (Waste of money) and they playing riffs from the new album now and the main riff from it is there. Not sure what song it will be though.

[Anjohl]

Rubin is great at saving acts that are all but irrelevant.

[Absent Mind]

I cant belive zane lowe has the exclusive premier of the day that never comes,

I WILL BE LISTENING!!!

[ibanez_player1]

this is why rubin is so famous.

[Mihyaeru]

This article could've been a lot shorter the same sentences r rpeeated over and over just worded lsightly differnetly in fact osme times theyre not. The end of the first paragraph and the 2nd paragraph r prettym uch idnetical bar the last sentence....but its cool to hear hetfield talking about working with rubin even though its bene mentioned b4...just nicer to hear it from the horses mouth

[this&that]

ughh, whats with the UK time?

[Metonyx]

So Rick Rubin does absolutely nothing, which lets the artist focus on keeping themselves focused, which leads to a better and overly successful release.. but Rubin still gets a crapload of cash.

I don't get it.

[shpaz]

cant wait for tomorrow 7 PM. I hope the new single rocks.

[AngerIsAGift06]

this&that wrote:

ughh, whats with the UK time?

its not 6 hours behind is what

[ElectricPie]

Metallica, having parted ways with former producer Bob Rock, who even performed bass duties on the bands last album 'St. Anger,'



Metallica, having parted ways with former producer Bob Rock, who even performed bass duties on the bands last album 'St. Anger,'




Metallica, having parted ways with former producer Bob Rock, who even performed bass duties on the bands last album 'St. Anger,'





Metallica, having parted ways with former producer Bob Rock, who even performed bass duties on the bands last album 'St. Anger,'

[pantericadeth]

Wow i just watched the Cyanide video from Ozzfest. Halfway through it i started head banging so i think this album is going to be great. The solo was good, i could barely understand it due the Kirk's wah lol. I'm sure on the album they will have just the right amount though. So apparently whatever Rick is doing he's doing it right haha.

[GregMisiakk]

metallica

[GregMisiakk]

does it not let me make the little hearts with the less than sign?

[Remsen]

James Hetfield is an awesome dude but he says corny stuff just like my dad...

[FenderMaster]

i really wish i was going to their show tonight T_T

[LeoXmayhem]

Little by little, my faith is returning with this band. Sure, we won't get another "Master" right away, and maybe nothing that awe inspiring, but something almost as good will surfaces in time.

[jacksonwarrior1]

i can't wait for this album to disappoint everyone.

[MooshMooshMarc]

this&that wrote:

ughh, whats with the UK time?

its a uk radio show?

[NorCalLos]

I like the riffs from Cyanide, but they really should get a singer. Dave Mustaine might work.

[MetalliRage]

thats the dumbest comment ever(norcallos). Hetfield forever!!!

[BlisteringDDj]

NorCalLos wrote:

I like the riffs from Cyanide, but they really should get a singer. Dave Mustaine might work.

No, because it's not realistic... It wouldn't happen, whatsoever.

My expectations for this album is pretty bad after listening to Cyanide. It sucks ass. Some of the riffs were OK, but there wasn't any quality really. Bad vocals, boring solos, and it basically sounded like the sound they had in Re-Load, but a little more developed (I'm not sure if it's developed in a better way or a worse). Studio version or not, Cyanide sucks. I hope the rest of the album will be good, but my expectations are pretty much gone.

(This is my opinion...)

[The JesterHead]

Metallica was good while they used Mustaine's ideas from way back while he was in the band... Those ideas were used on the first four albums. After they were all used up, Metallica put out Load, Reload, etc. with their own ideas. Their own ideas = change of styles. Get the picture? They'll never be as good as they used to, this new stuff sounds a hell lot like Load, and that is bad imo. But hell, we shall see... Gotta hear it first ^_^

[sebbsmith]

Rubin was definatly the best choice, he's saved a lot of bands/artists.

cccchecked.

[Sanitarium91]

The JesterHead wrote:

Metallica was good while they used Mustaine's ideas from way back while he was in the band... Those ideas were used on the first four albums.

I really hate arguing about this, but MOP and AJFA had nothing by Mustaine, and RTL only had Ride The Lightning and some riffs from The Call of Ktulu. So your argument doesn't make sense.

[scawti]

RTL only had Ride The Lightning and some riffs from The Call of Ktulu.

and parts of Creeping Death...
I'd like to think it was Cliff's influence that was missed more than Dave's. Cliff was a crazy *ss player. Jason was a solid play in the pocket player. With Robert, they have a solid bassist that has the potential to go crazy and that writes some amazing riffs. If they gave Robert room to shine, this will be a classic album.

[Les Paul Ell]

I think it was Cliff who was the one writing all the best songs back in the day. After he died, Justice was still very good and I think they did amazingly without him, but he was like the Steve Harris of the band and really kept them awesome.

[Sanitarium91]

scawti wrote:
and parts of Creeping Death...

Oh, that I didn't know. Neither did my copy of Ride The Lightning... Oh, and neither did wikipedia. I'm guessing you've just heard that from Mustaine himself.

[DamageMachine]

waterbear91 wrote:

If you go to metallica's website you can listen samples from there album (2 atm) i think there updating everday for now at least. Anyways, including cyanide, all of it sounds promising to me.

There are 3 samples now

[jagggu]

Seemz like Cyanide is a song that will grow on ya..
But to play as the song of an album..afta such a long wait..man!..kinda dissapointin

[arondadi]

scawti wrote:

RTL only had Ride The Lightning and some riffs from The Call of Ktulu.
and parts of Creeping Death...
I'd like to think it was Cliff's influence that was missed more than Dave's. Cliff was a crazy *ss player. Jason was a solid play in the pocket player. With Robert, they have a solid bassist that has the potential to go crazy and that writes some amazing riffs. If they gave Robert room to shine, this will be a classic album.

Creeping Death was brought to the band with Kirk when he came from Exodus. It was called Die by the Sword I think. Pretty much the whole song, maybe they added something.

[Metonyx]

BlisteringDDj wrote:

NorCalLos wrote:

I like the riffs from Cyanide, but they really should get a singer. Dave Mustaine might work.


No, because it's not realistic... It wouldn't happen, whatsoever.

My expectations for this album is pretty bad after listening to Cyanide. It sucks ass. Some of the riffs were OK, but there wasn't any quality really. Bad vocals, boring solos, and it basically sounded like the sound they had in Re-Load, but a little more developed (I'm not sure if it's developed in a better way or a worse). Studio version or not, Cyanide sucks. I hope the rest of the album will be good, but my expectations are pretty much gone.

(This is my opinion...)

Megadeth fanboy much?

Anyway, I CAN'T WAIT to hear the new single! It's going to be epic, I can feel it. (end true but corny statement)

And Cyanide sucked at that low quality thing I heard when it was first out, but the higher res one seems way better, the song just fits in Justice or TBA.

I didn't see any comparision to MOP or the previous albums. Oh well, I've read online at The Quietus or something that Cyanide was one of the sucky songs on the album. (They didn't know the title when they heard it, but they knew the lyrics, and I compared them both and they were the same.) So basically, Cyanide is great, but it's still one of the sucky songs on the album.

WHICH IS GOOD.

[identityxcrysis]

This is news?

[xcmasta91]

rick rubin never worked wit green day

[guitaringnathan]

lol i've noticed a trend where people will say they all but the first three albums but think this one will be awesome, but james said this album was between two albums that they apparently d,lol!

[JPetrucci25]

idk what my expectations are. you cant expect them to make another MOP so dont be pissed if its not exactly what u wanted to here. u cant say metallica isint one of the biggest heavy metal acts of all time. no matter what this album is, im buying it and will be a fan of it

[stondagain]

Cyanide, while parts of it do sound thrown together, is about a thousand times better than anything on St. Anger. At least Hetfield sounds like he's been practicing guitar instead of the 12 steps of AA heh heh. Plus I was totally surprised by Lars' playing. They were really grooving at times. Much different than when I first heard St. Anger on the radio before the disc came out, I said "Uh-oh. What the f*ck was that?"

Personally, I can't wait to buy this one.

[euan_soad]

Birchall17 wrote:

i reall yhope the 1st new song they played is on it. it gives me chills whenever i watch on youtube.


Yeah it will be on there, Im a platinum Mission Metallica member (Waste of money) and they playing riffs from the new album now and the main riff from it is there. Not sure what song it will be though.

They're only using bits of it, and they're using none of the Other New Song

[lifeseternal]

shit !!!!

i want the fukcing death magnetic box set!!!!!

[NorCalLos]

I hope I wasn't called a Megadeath fanboy. I suggested Dave Mustaine sing for Metallica as a joke. He isn't any better than James at singing and his lyrics are even more horrendously cliche'd than James'. They need a real singer like Vernon Reid or something. Metallica is rumored to be racists, though, so that likely will not happen. Maybe Rob can bring Ozzy or Mike Muir (from Suicidal Tendencies/Infectious Grooves) with him? That would be sweet.

[kinghate69]

**** suicidal tendencies.....minus rob

[ScalyGuitarrist]

it's amazing that they didn't write the track listing for this one xD

[Soadfan8]

rick rubin. that man is amazing. my hopes for this album have been raised a little.

[Armagedn]

They're wrong. Bob Rock will not be missed.

[Metal_Rich]

NorCalLos wrote:
I hope I wasn't called a Megadeath fanboy.

I'm sure your spelling will cause past accusations will be withdrawn.

[Metal_Rich]

*to be

[RUSTDOGG666]

On metallica's blog on myspace they posted a 20 second riff from the new album. It had the sound from the and justice for all album. I think it was a riff from the first song on there. That just got my hopes up that this album should be good after all. Definitely will be better than St Anger.

[Symmetry4321]

I am going to do something that i have never done before and listen to the radio for this song

[Muse_123]

I hope I wasn't called a Megadeath fanboy. I suggested Dave Mustaine sing for Metallica as a joke. He isn't any better than James at singing and his lyrics are even more horrendously cliche'd than James'. They need a real singer like Vernon Reid or something. Metallica is rumored to be racists, though, so that likely will not happen. Maybe Rob can bring Ozzy or Mike Muir (from Suicidal Tendencies/Infectious Grooves) with him? That would be sweet.

how can metallica be racist when they have a danish drummer, a black/fijian guitarist and a mexican bassist?

[TheWickerMan666]

"We caught up with James Hetfield to get his thoughts on Rick Rubin being the chosen one."

Haha, it makes him sound really special, maybe even clairvoyant... Or from The Matrix.

I'm looking forward to this album. From what I've heard of the samples and stuff, it sounds good, and it looks like they've gone back to their roots.

Rick Rubin appears to be a much better producer than Bob Rock, and I'm glad Metallica seem to be able to write their own stuff again, without meddling producers!!

[GerGuam]

Someone needs to smash Kirk's wah pedal before I will even consider paying money for a Metallica release. I might get around to downloading it but I really have zero expectations/hope that this will have any redeeming qualities. The big factors I enjoy from Metallica's better years are: James' voice (gone) and shreddy solos without too much wah. If they can bring back some quality solos it might be listenable (note: not good) but if it's the same trash he's played for so many years it will be St. Anger2.

[NorCalLos]

I said they were rumored to be racist. I don't know them personally, so I can't say for sure. If Kirk is black/fijian, that would explain why James and Lars don't ever let him write any songs or have any input in the creative process.

Anyway, just because you have people in your band that are a different race than you doesn't mean you're not racist. I happen to know lots of musicians that are racist that put it aside when it comes to music. Also, many racists in different careers conveniently put race aside when it comes to their livelihood. That's the thing about most racists, is that they act all nicey nice and overly friendly when people are around. Then behind closed doors the truth comes out.

FYI, Axl Rose called them racists back in the 90's. I think it was cuz they didn't want N.W.A. to open on the tour.

[NorCalLos]

OK, so I googled "Metallica racist" and this came up:

http://www.stormfront.org/forum/showthread.php/metall ica-348808.html

Some of the others wouldn't load for me, but check it out yourselves. Please post anything interesting you find.

[xXChimairaXx]

Sanitarium91 wrote:

The JesterHead wrote:

Metallica was good while they used Mustaine's ideas from way back while he was in the band... Those ideas were used on the first four albums.


I really hate arguing about this, but MOP and AJFA had nothing by Mustaine, and RTL only had Ride The Lightning and some riffs from The Call of Ktulu. So your argument doesn't make sense.

i also agree. dave's influence never went THAT far. as far as dave goes, he was big on Kill 'em All and Ride the Lightning. Those two were it. Not even their two best, although RTL is amazing.

[DimeForever]

I'm glad that Bob Rock is no longer handling any kind of production for Metallica. The dude ended up being a detriment to the band and caused a lot of the hard core fans to alienate the band because of the direction he took them. Granted, his track record as a producer is excellent, but the band let him take them to places that they shouldn't have gone. I'm glad the guy's out. Can't wait to hear the new material.

Cheers!

[British_Steal]

Hopefully this album will redeem metallica's past failures. Perhaps this will be an actual THRASH METAL album

[Mattallica1]

the single is gona kick ass

checked.

[Jonny892]

just got back from Dublin seein these guys with Tenacious D! ****in awesome..... the new song rocks!

....an awesome show

[highwayone73]

Just watched "Cyanide" on youtube. The bass in that song is Fkn sweet. The rest was alright. It does sound more like Load than Justice. As long as it doesn't sound like St. Anger then i'll be happy.

[Harry Krishner]

Metonyx wrote:

So Rick Rubin does absolutely nothing, which lets the artist focus on keeping themselves focused, which leads to a better and overly successful release.. but Rubin still gets a crapload of cash.

I don't get it.

It's show business!

[asmeister]

It's going to suck ass

[Vantage]

NorCalLos wrote:

I said they were rumored to be racist. I don't know them personally, so I can't say for sure. If Kirk is black/fijian, that would explain why James and Lars don't ever let him write any songs or have any input in the creative process.

Anyway, just because you have people in your band that are a different race than you doesn't mean you're not racist. I happen to know lots of musicians that are racist that put it aside when it comes to music. Also, many racists in different careers conveniently put race aside when it comes to their livelihood. That's the thing about most racists, is that they act all nicey nice and overly friendly when people are around. Then behind closed doors the truth comes out.

FYI, Axl Rose called them racists back in the 90's. I think it was cuz they didn't want N.W.A. to open on the tour.

Kirk is uh...

Irish/Filipino, I think.

[Mootallica]

Vantage wrote:

NorCalLos wrote:

I said they were rumored to be racist. I don't know them personally, so I can't say for sure. If Kirk is black/fijian, that would explain why James and Lars don't ever let him write any songs or have any input in the creative process.

Anyway, just because you have people in your band that are a different race than you doesn't mean you're not racist. I happen to know lots of musicians that are racist that put it aside when it comes to music. Also, many racists in different careers conveniently put race aside when it comes to their livelihood. That's the thing about most racists, is that they act all nicey nice and overly friendly when people are around. Then behind closed doors the truth comes out.

FYI, Axl Rose called them racists back in the 90's. I think it was cuz they didn't want N.W.A. to open on the tour.

Kirk is uh...

Irish/Filipino, I think.

I believe that he is.

[Shazazmic]

NorCalLos wrote:

FYI, Axl Rose called them racists back in the 90's. I think it was cuz they didn't want N.W.A. to open on the tour.

Who the hell would want Niggas With Attitude to open for Metallica!??!

[Axe Samurai]

Jonny892 wrote:

just got back from Dublin seein these guys with Tenacious D! ****in awesome..... the new song rocks!

....an awesome show

Yeah man I'm also just back from that! was an amazing show. The D and Metallica! The new song deafly got this crowd moving....and isn't that what its all about? the live performances!

[harrybps]

Im in New Zealand and its already the 21st,so your tomorrow is my today.but my today is not your tomorrow,so tommorrow is the day that never comes...tomorrow?

[shadowsofbodom]

metallica..... ac/dc..... metallica..... ac/dc..... metallica..... ac/dc..... please god kill me

[Mootallica]

harrybps wrote:

Im in New Zealand and its already the 21st,so your tomorrow is my today.but my today is not your tomorrow,so tommorrow is the day that never comes...tomorrow?

I'm in Australia, we can tell them what happens in the future LOL

[zerodeck]

Metallica are currently back in Europe touring in support of 'Death Magnetic'

they only played one song of the new album in 2.5 hours...

[bazman13]

"Rick is the chosen one, Born of woman the seventh son
And he in turn of a seventh son, So it shall be writtne
So it shall be done"

[BlisteringDDj]

Metonyx wrote:

BlisteringDDj wrote:

NorCalLos wrote:

I like the riffs from Cyanide, but they really should get a singer. Dave Mustaine might work.


No, because it's not realistic... It wouldn't happen, whatsoever.

My expectations for this album is pretty bad after listening to Cyanide. It sucks ass. Some of the riffs were OK, but there wasn't any quality really. Bad vocals, boring solos, and it basically sounded like the sound they had in Re-Load, but a little more developed (I'm not sure if it's developed in a better way or a worse). Studio version or not, Cyanide sucks. I hope the rest of the album will be good, but my expectations are pretty much gone.

(This is my opinion...)

Megadeth fanboy much?

Screw you! Metallica was the ones who got me in to Thrash Metal. I still love 'em. I said it's not realistic that this would happen because of their realtionship, if that was what you were calling me a fanboy for.

[Soozy]

Is it me, or is that quote in broken english? Maybe that's why St.Anger's lyrics were so bad.

[souls_of_black]

i was a bit dissapointed with the solo on Cyanide, very cliche and simple. It couldve definetly done with an Alex Skolnik type solo!!

[koolfoolinapool]

Remsen wrote:

James Hetfield is an awesome dude but he says corny stuff just like my dad...

He's prolly as old as your dad too. lol

Just where he's from.