In a new interview with Star Tribune, Kirk Hammett said the age factor now affects Metallica’s touring.
Metallica is taking a night off between its two big concerts in Minneapolis this weekend to give its members some rest. “For two of the guys in the band, the shows take a lot more of a physical toll on their bodies,” the guitarist explained. “The age thing is definitely a bit of a factor.”
Hammett didn’t say who, but it’s likely James Hetfield’s voice and Lars Ulrich’s arms face physical challenges. The rocker added, “The Stones are setting another precedent playing into their 80s. That is inspiring to us, man. That’s our goal.”
In May 2022, Hetfield surprised Metallica’s audience at a show in Brazil by openly sharing his insecurities about getting older and his fear that he might not perform as well as before.
This emotional moment happened during their May 12 show at Estádio do Mineirão in Belo Horizonte, where the frontman got emotional and was hugged by his bandmates.
After playing ‘One,’ Hetfield told the crowd, “I’ve gotta tell you I wasn’t feeling very good before I came out here. I was feeling a little bit insecure like I’m an old guy, I can’t play anymore, all this bullsh*t that I tell myself in my head.”
He continued, “So I talked to these guys, and they helped me, as simple as that. They gave me a hug and said, ‘Hey, if you’re struggling on stage, we’ve got your back.’ And I tell you, it means the world to me. And seeing you out there, I am not alone. I am not alone, and neither are you.” After the speech, Ulrich, Hammett, and Robert Trujillo left their spots on stage to join Hetfield for a group hug.
Earlier this year, the singer also shared that he felt anxious and had self-doubt about his age before starting their European tour in late May. “I start to doubt myself,” Hetfield admitted in an episode of The Metallica Report. “[Thinking,] ‘We’re old, we can’t do this’ – all that bullsh*t everyone tells themselves before they go into something they care about.”
Metallica will perform in Minneapolis on August 16 and 18 on their M72 World Tour. The band will then play in Canada on August 23 and 25.