Metallica's history with side projects isn't exactly the most positive. It was ex-bassist Jason Newsted' staring of a side project, Echobrain, that ultimately led to his split with the group after 14 years in 2001. So it's not shocking that in an interview with WRIF, James Hetfield says Metallica is his only project.
Granted, he also sounds like he's still genuinely excited for the band and loves what he does. Just don't expect a James Hetfield Project-type offshoot anytime soon – if you wanna hear the dude, you gotta listen to Metallica.
Metallica's pretty much my side project. I get to do whatever I want in Metallica. There's not really a need for it. I write things that make me feel good, and if they end up in Metallica, then that's even better. Sometimes they don't. Sometimes they're like a "Nothing Else Matters" kind of thing, and they're trying to be hidden: "Don't listen to that."But, no, there's really no need for that. Or time — there's no time for that either.
That being said, wouldn't a James Hetfield solo project be incredibly badass?
