Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Metallica plan extensive US tour behind new album


photo: Ross Halfin

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich says the band are planning an extensive US tour in support of their forthcoming album, “Hardwired…To Self Destruct.”

"We did 180 shows on the Death Magnetic tour in two-week periods over three years," Ulrich tells Rolling Stone. "That's what works for us. We're going to start pretty much full-on touring in January and are looking to figure out what we're doing in North America, but there will definitely be some pretty extensive touring in America."

Metallica haven't played a proper American arena tour since 2009.

"It's time to come back," adds the drummer, "and do some proper penetration of America."

Due November 18, the two-disc set “Hardwired…To Self Destruct” was recently previewed with the release of a video for the lead track “Hardwired,” and the band performed the live debut of the song at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN on August 20 following its premiere on August 18.

"We're itching to play them," says Ulrich of the new material. "Right now, every day when we get into the Tuning Room we're just playing the new songs. Then we're like, 'Wait, we gotta get out there and play 'Master of Puppets.'

“Some of the songs from the new record are a little more physical. It's gonna be a lot of fun to play this. Also, some of these songs are a little shorter than the ones on Death Magnetic. I think it's gonna be a lot of fun to throw many of these songs in, but we'll change the setlist every night like we always do."

Metallica currently have a pair of shows on their 2016 calendar, including a September 24 appearance at the Global Citizen Festival in New York’s Central Park and acoustic sets at Neil Young’s 30th anniversary Bridge School Benefit Concert weekend in late October.


See also:

VIDEO: Metallica in the studio recording Hardwired
Metallica to perform at Neil Young’s Bridge School Benefit concert
VIDEO: Metallica perform live debut of Hardwired in Minneapolis
AUDIO: Hear complete Metallica concert from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis
Search Metallica at hennemusic