METALLICA's KIRK HAMMETT Recovering Faster Than Expected

METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett appears to be recovering faster than expected following his accident this past weekend when he was stabbed by his surfboard while being tossed by a wave. According to the group's official web site, "a couple of days ago we all heard from Kirk, 'I should be back playing guitar in about two weeks'... Well, guess who is in the recording room right now hammering out some riffs? That's right, Kirk!"

METALLICA are currently tracking their new album in the band's San Francisco Bay Area studio with producer Bob Rock for a tentative early 2003 release through Elektra Records.