James Hetfield Doesn’t Want Metallica To Be A “Legacy Band”
James Hetfield of Metallica during MTV's Metallica "Icon" Taping- Rehearsals at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Theo Wargo/WireImage)
Despite their iconic status and decades of success, Metallica’s frontman James Hetfield is adamant that the band won’t settle into being just a “legacy band.”
On a recent episode of the Metallica Report podcast, Hetfield talked about how they seamlessly mix songs from their 2023 album 72 Seasons into their setlists alongside classic hits.
How Metallica Keeps Their Shows Fresh with New Material
Hetfield shared:
“The fact that the 72 Seasons album is well received and some of the songs that we’re playing live work…they kind of fit seamlessly with all the catalog.
“We’re not afraid of [playing new songs], but we’re not overindulging in it either. We know people want to hear the best of, and you’ve got to challenge them to listen to some of the new stuff as well.”
Hetfield clarified that Metallica is committed to keeping their shows fresh, balancing the classics fans love with new material. He said:
“We certainly don’t want to be a legacy band that just plays its greatest hits and then that’s it. [Playing new material is] all a part of it.”
Mistakes Part of Every Metallica Show
Reflecting on their M72 tour and plans, Hetfield explained that Metallica’s confidence on stage comes from embracing imperfection. He emphasized that every performance is unique, thanks to the freedom they allow themselves to make mistakes. Hetfield explained:
“All mistakes are a part of the show.
“That’s part of what we say before we go out. ‘Hey, all mistakes are free.’ And it’s not a mistake, really… It’s just a unique way of playing [a song] that night.”
Hetfield went on to describe how these “mistakes” keep the experience special for both the band and their fans. “Everyone gets to enjoy whatever happens right then… For us, it’s just, ‘OK, we messed it up. Let’s start it again.’ Or, ‘Hey, let’s take it from here.’”
This spontaneity and authenticity are what make every Metallica concert one-of-a-kind. Hetfield added, “There’s a freedom up there that the fans allow. There’s a grace that they allow us to be human. You show up and you do your best, and you know it’s from the heart.”
With this mindset, Metallica continues to evolve, refusing to rest on their laurels and making every performance a new experience.
