Watch James Hetfield play bass to Metallica's Atlas, Rise!

By Martin Kielty
( Metal Hammer )
last updated

Radio station video features Metallica frontman grabbing bass and playing along to new track Atlas, Rise! while it’s broadcast

James Hetfield
So easy: Hetfield as you'd usually see him (Image credit: Getty)

James Hetfield can be seen playing bass along to Metallica track Atlas, Rise! in a video short during a radio interview.

He recently appeared on German station Star FM to discuss the band’s new album Hardwired… To Self-Destruct, which was released last week.

During a break in the interview around the 35-minute mark, while the station broadcasts the track, Hetfield is seen picking up a bass guitar from the side of the room, tuning it, then starting to play along.

He begins to get into his performance towards the middle of the song and begins throwing shapes in the centre of the room. “Playing bass is so easy!” he laughs as he puts the instrument down.

But Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo probably has least to fear from Hetfield’s “discovery” – earlier in the interview he describes himself as a “frustrated drummer” and adds: “I tell Lars what to do, and he tells me what to do.”

Meanwhile, guitarist Kirk Hammett has discussed the band’s hopes to continue their career for many years yet.

Ulrich recently said he believed the band could continue, mentally at least, for another 100 years – now Hammett tells The Malay Mail: “I always play very, very aggressively, and in a very angry way.

“My goal is to live to 100 years old and be able to stand there with a guitar on and play Seek And Destroy. I don’t know if I’ll be able to do Fight Fire With Fire… I might break in half. But I know I can do Seek And Destroy.”

Metallica have also released a video from their London album launch show last week, which was streamed online as it happened. The clip, which features their performance of The Four Horsemen, also includes behind-the-scenes footage. Watch it below.

The band continue to add dates to their WorldWired tour, which is expected to run for at least two years. The latest addition is a second appearance in Mexico on March 3. They’re the cover stars of the latest edition of Metal Hammer, on sale now in print and via TeamRock+.

Metallica tour dates 2016-17 so far

Nov 29: Toronto Opera House, Canada
Dec 17: Oakland Fox Theater, CA
Jan 11: Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome, South Korea
Jan 18: Beijing Le Sports Centre, China
Jan 20: Hong Kong AsiaWorld-Expo, China
Jan 22: Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore
Feb 03: Copenhagen Royal Arena, Denmark
Feb 05: Copenhagen Royal Arena, Denmark
Feb 07: Copenhagen Royal Arena, Denmark
Feb 09: Copenhagen Royal Arena, Denmark
Mar 01: Mexico City Foro Sol, Mexico
Mar 03: Mexico City Foro Sol, Mexico
Mar 25: Sao Paulo Interlagos Racetrack, Brazil
Mar 31-Apr 01: Buenos Aires Hippodrome San Isidro, Argentina
Apr 01-02: Santiago Parque O’Higgins, Chile

Watch every Metallica video from Hardwired… To Self-Destruct

Martin Kielty
Freelance Online News Contributor

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.