METALLICA's JAMES HETFIELD Says Performing Sober Is A Whole New Experience

July 14, 2004

METALLICA frontman James Hetfield has told Launch that the band's 2003 tour was their first road trip with a sober lead singer, and consequently, his perspective on the trek is much different now than it was at the time: "Now, it's best tour ever, the most awesome experience on the road, the most happiest I've ever been. In the beginning, it was the most scared. Doing anything again for the first time without the crutches was tough. Really had some good support, some friends that helped me get set up for out there. And I knew what I needed to do to take care of myself, and there were some people who helped me do that, and I'm very grateful to them."

James Hetfield told Launch what it's like to play shows while sober, for a change: "Awesome. I mean, seeing people's faces not blurry... I mean, I had my glasses off, but.... Just seeing their faces, being able to see what we do to them, what they do to us, and man! I know why we're out there."

Hetfield described the difference in playing sober: "Now I can really feel what great energy is created by it, I really understand the whole family feeling around it, how everyone contributes to that. Everyone, the crew, puts into it. They're dedicated. They fly the flag and they're really into what we do. They believe in us. And when I go out there and represent all of those people, it's a great feeling."

METALLICA's next U.S. tour begins on August 16.

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