Metallica keeping excitement going

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Nov 19, 2004 by Scott Iwasaki Deseret Morning News

Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett says he is a private person, the kind of guy who would rather go home than hit the clubs after a gig. So he was, to say the least, mortified when the band decided to release the documentary film "Some Kind of Monster" earlier this year.

"I'm, in actuality, reclusive," Hammett said by phone from Nashville. "I have my life and keep it out of the spotlight. And what happens behind the scenes in Metallica is our business.

"I was apprehensive, knowing that this film would come out. But it was inevitable. And I'm good with it now. One thing about the band is, we don't do anything unless we feel good about doing it."

One of the things that helped Hammett cope with the film's release was that the images and situations onscreen happened more than two years ago, including the band's group therapy sessions and guitarist James Hetfield's stint in rehab. "We've changed, or I'd like to think we have, since that time. It's just a little time capsule representation of us.

"We were making a documentary and all these situations were piling up, and the more things happened, the more they filmed it. And we knew we'd have to do something with it or the fans would ask about it. So that's how it all came about."

The only similarity between "Some Kind of Monster" and the 1992 docu-videos "A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica" is that both are documentaries, Hammett explained. "Those other videos were a totally different thing. They were done with the fans in mind. This wasn't."

And the band does think about fans. On Nov. 22, Rhino and Warner Bros. records will release a vinyl box set of the band's first four albums -- "Kill 'Em All," "Ride the Lightning," "Master of Puppets" and ". . . And Justice for All." Also included in the box will be the "Garage Days Revisited" extended play and the "Creeping Death" single picture disc. Only 5,000 copies of the box set will be made available.

"We didn't have much to do with the box set," said Hammett. "We're not hyping it up or anything like that. It's for fans, vinyl collectors and anyone who has a turntable and who are Metallica completists."

Despite these distractions, the band -- which, in addition to Hammett and Hetfield, includes drummer Lars Ulrich and bassist Robert Trujillo -- has managed to remain focused on the current tour, which will wrap up at the end of November. "When we decide to do things, we put all of ourselves into it. This time around, the stage is in the center of the arena -- like we did at the Delta Center some years ago. The show is in the round, which means there will be four front rows. And that keeps the energy and excitement going."

Also, for this tour the band is changing the set list every night. "This is the first time we've done that. That way it keeps it fresh and exciting for us."

That's important said Hammett, because the band is famous for marathon tours. "We work hard to bring the show to the fans. Our shows are physically and mentally grueling. And we come complete with the pyrotechnics."

Earlier this year, Trujillo recorded a couple of songs and videos with folk-bluegrass band Nickel Creek. Hammett said he has no plans to embark on side projects or guest appearances in the near future.

"Actually, when the tour ends, I'm looking forward to spending six months doing nothing," he said with a laugh. "We've been on the road for two years, and I'm looking forward to taking a rest.

"To tell the truth, if someone asks me to guest-appear on a song, I will probably turn it down. Unless, of course, it's something very special."

If you go . . .

What: Metallica, Godsmack

Where: E Center

When: Monday, 7 p.m.

How much: $55-$75

Phone: 467-8499 or 800-888-8499

Web: www.smithstix.com

E-mail: scott@desnews.com