Metallica's three original members have never had a side project outside the band. Sure, the guys have guested on tracks here and there, but never had an outside dedicated band. Now a full 37 years after Metallica's formation, guitarist Kirk Hammett makes it sound like he might actually do a solo album, and specifically one that wouldn't be very Metallica at all.
Hammett tells Metal Hammer he has a ton of material he's sitting on right now. He also makes it sound like Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield might also have some solo material sitting around, but doesn't elaborate.
“I have so much material sitting around that’s obviously not Metallica stuff, and that pile gets bigger and bigger. One of these days when it feels right… I still feel I have so much to give Metallica. When that feels more complete, maybe I’ll think about doing that other stuff.”
“It would not look like a metal album at all. It’ll be something so weird and far-ranging in styles, but cohesive at the same time. I wouldn’t be surprised if all of us did some solo, independent, autonomous sort of thing. I think it’s healthy, and if anything, when you come back to the band you’d come back with more enthusiasm. It’d feel like going on a little camping trip, and it’s always good to come back home to a nice warm bed!”
Personally, I'd love to hear what each member of Metallica would crank out as a solo thing. Especially if it's not metal.
