Metallica’s James Hetfield says he couldn’t revisit the band’s classic albums because they’re “snapshots of history.”
The vocalist and guitarist admits there are certain tweaks he’d like to make to their back catalogue – but it’s not something he thinks will ever happen.
He tells Red Bulletin: “There are things I would like to change on some of the records – but it gives them so much character that you can’t change them.
“I find it a little frustrating when bands re-record classic albums with pretty much the same songs and have it replace the original. It erases that piece of history.
“These records are a product of a certain time in life – they’re snapshots of history and they’re part of our story.”
He continues: “OK, so 1988’s … And Justice for All could use a little more low end and 2003’s St. Anger could use a little less tin snare drum, but those things are what make those records part of our history.”
Metallica recently praised Lady Gaga, who joined them onstage at the Grammy Awards for a performance of Moth Into Flame, with drummer Lars Ulrich calling her the “quintessential perfect fifth member of this band.”
Metallica are currently gearing up for a run of South American dates in support of 10th album Hardwired… To Self-Destruct. They’ll then head out on the road across North America from May.
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Metallica 2017 tour dates
Mar 01: Mexico City Foro Sol, Mexico
Mar 03: Mexico City Foro Sol, Mexico
Mar 05: Mexico City Foro Sol, Mexico
Mar 25: Sao Paulo Lollapalooza, Brazil
May 10: Baltimore M&T Bank Stadium, MD
May 12: Philadelphia Lincoln Financial Field, PA
May 14: East Rutherford MetLife Stadium, NY
May 17: Uniondale The New Coliseum, NY
May 19: Foxborough Gillette Stadium, MA
May 21: Columbus Rock On The Range, OH
Jun 04: St Louis Busch Stadium, MO
Jun 07: Denver Sports Authority Field at Mile High, CO
Jun 11: Houston NRG Stadium, TX
Jun 14: San Antonio Alamodome, TX
Jun 16: Dallas AT&T Stadium, TX
Jun 18: Chicago Soldier Field, IL
Jul 05: Orlando Camping World Stadium, FL
Jul 07: Miami Hard Rock Stadium, FL
Jul 09: Atlanta SunTrust park, GA
Jul 12: Detroit Comercia Park, MO
Jul 14: Quebec City Festival D’Ete de Quebec, QC
Jul 16: Toronto Rogers Centre, ON
Jul 19: Montreal Parc Jean-Drapeau, QC
Jul 29: Los Angeles Rose Bowl, CA
Aug 04: Phoenix University of Phoenix Stadium, AZ
Aug 06: San Diego Petco Park, CA
Aug 09: Seattle CenturyLink Field , WA
Aug 14: Vancouver BC Place, BC
Aug 16: Edmonton Commonwealth Stadium, AB
Sep 02: Copenhagen Royal Arena, Denmark
Lars Ulrich on how failed tennis career led to birth of Metallica
