Watch Metallica make the Moth Into Flame video

By Scott Munro
( Metal Hammer )
last updated

The director of Metallica’s Moth Into Flame video reveals how they made it in new behind-the-scenes footage

Metallica’s James Hetfield in the video for Moth Into Flame
Metallica\u2019s James Hetfield in the video for Moth Into Flame

The director of Metallica’s video for Moth Into Flame has given fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how the promo was created.

The band recently released the video for the track, which appears on Metallica’s highly-anticipated 10th album Hardwired… To Self Destruct. It’s out on November 18.

In the video, director Tom Kirk explains his thoughts behind the video, the look he was trying to achieve – and it also features mainman James Hetfield driving a forklift truck.

Kirk says: “Metallica have always been on my radar as a band to work with.

“I like the way that they’re playing with the lightbulbs – they’re actually creatively involved in the video and asking good questions about how things are looking, the framing and references.

“It’s got the vintage looking bulbs which adds a nice texture and old sensibility to it. Even though I wanted to go for an old, retro, rock’n’roll video look, I’m bringing in much more modern elements, so hopefully those two things contrast and balance.”

Click to play.

Kirk also praises the band for their patience during the shoot, and adds: “I was amazed at how much they jumped into these concepts, how much they took them on board and just went with it. I didn’t hear a single complaint and I think they’re generally pretty happy.”

Earlier this week, Metallica invited fans to attend a video shoot on October 11-12 in San Francisco’s Bay Area for “lightly choreographed fighting” and to “cheer on while Metallica performs.”

Metallica have announced a number of live appearances in the coming months, with more to be added in due course.

The Hardwired... To Self-Destruct cover

The Hardwired... To Self-Destruct cover

Metallica Hardwired… To Self-Destruct tracklist

Disc 1

  1. Hardwired
  2. Atlas, Rise!
  3. Now That We’re Dead
  4. Moth Into Flame
  5. Am I Savage?
  6. Halo On Fire

Disc 2

  1. Confusion
  2. Dream No More
  3. ManUNkind
  4. Here Comes Revenge
  5. Murder One
  6. Spit Out The Bone

Metallica tour dates

Oct 22: Mountain View Shoreline Amphitheatre, CA
Oct 23: Mountain View Shoreline Amphitheatre, CA
Oct 26: San Juan Coliseo De Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico
Oct 29: Quito Parque Bicentenario, Ecuador
Nov 01: Bogota Hipodromo De Los Andes, Columbia
Nov 03: Guatemala City Estadio Cementos Progreso, Guatemala
Nov 05: San Jose Estadio Nacional, Costa Rica
Feb 03: Copenhagen Royal Arena, Denmark
Feb 05: Copenhagen Royal Arena, Denmark
Mar 25-26: Lollapalooza Brazil
Mar 31-Apr 01: Lollapalooza Argentina
Apr 01-02: Lollapalooza Chile

Metallica share 'tales from tour'

Scott Munro
Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald newspapers, covering everything from daily news and weekly 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.