A couple of weeks ago I listened to the latest Metallica album turned up to 11. The riffs are relentless. One track is called You Must Burn! The lyrics to another go: “Demonised, liquefied, tranquillised, prophesied!” So far, so heavy metal. But there are also a lot of melodies and choruses. You do not sell 125 million albums without being able to surprise — and write a hook.
Later I meet Lars Ulrich, Metallica’s drummer and band spokesman, given that the singer James Hetfield is stage-loud but interview-shy. The pair turn 60 this year, so I start by asking if their pummelling, punishing music is not for younger . . . “Let me confirm,” Ulrich interrupts, laughing, “that the idea I’m sitting here at 59,
