October 16, 2011 10:39

Metallica: ''Lulu' is one of the best things we've ever done'

Kirk Hammett also describes the project as mainly 'an artistic endeavour for ourselves'

Photo Gallery: Metallica
Photo: Phil Wallis

Metallica have said that they believe 'Lulu', their forthcoming collaboration album with Lou Reed, is "one of the best things they've ever done".

'Lulu', which is based around German playwright Frank Wedekind's 1913 play about the life of an abused dancer, is due for release on October 31, with the North American release following a day later on November 1.

Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett said that he believed that the album demonstrated the band could still be "truly spontaneous" and were still capable of being extremely creative on the spot.

Asked about 'Lulu', Hammett told Revolver magazine:

I think it's one of the best things we've ever done. It showed me that we could still be truly spontaneous and in the moment. We haven't been spontaneous like that for years and years and years, probably since the '80s.

The guitarist also said that he believed the album should not be judged by "heavy metal standards" and that the band had undertaken the project principally as "an artistic endeavour for themselves".

He added:

We were all out of our comfort zone, and because of that, we came up with stuff we wouldn't normally come up with. It's largely an artistic endeavour for ourselves. And we're just inviting everyone else along for the party. This is something that most people won't be expecting from us. All I have to say is don't judge it by heavy-metal standards and maybe you'll understand it better.

The promotional poster for the album was recently banned on tube trains and in stations by London Underground after bosses ruled that the artwork for the album, which you can see on the right of your screen, looked too much like graffiti.

The metal titans will make their UK debut with Reed on November 8 when they will perform tracks from 'Lulu' on Later… With Jools Holland.

Video: Metallica Video Interview

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