Hetfield: Music saved my life

Metallica mainman James Hetfield says music saved his life, and that writing and playing is helping him come to terms with his “dark” and “shameful” past.

Earlier this month he revealed he struggled with being “King Shit” on stage then being a husband and a dad at home, and earlier spoke about his fear of responsibility.

In a follow-up clip he tells Road Recovery: “You wouldn’t really like me if you knew my story – if you knew what horrible things I’ve done.

“I’m coming to grips with that, because I have groups of people that I’m able to share all my horrible stuff with — shameful, extremely shameful, dark stuff.

“Some of it is things I’ve taken from my parents and carried a little further. Other ones I’ve been able to drop, others I’ve picked up on my own. Shame’s a big thing for me.”

He adds: “Playing music has saved my life – every day saves my life. When I’m able to write a riff, write some lyrics, stuff like that, it’s the way I connect with the world.”

Metallica will headline this year’s Reading and Leeds festivals and are the cover stars of the current edition of Metal Hammer which is on sale now.

Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.