As we enter 2024, James Hetfield has reached out to fans with a heartfelt New Year’s message.
In a handwritten note recently shared on Metallica’s Instagram page, Hetfield expressed his gratitude to fans, saying:
“It’s been a fantastic year! Thanks so much for your love and support. [It’s] so great to play live, see your smiling faces, and hear your roar! With love and respect, Papa Het.”
See the note below.
James Hetfield’s New Year’s Resolutions
During the latest episode of ‘The Metallica Report’ podcast, Hetfield shared his thoughts on the past year and his outlook for the future. Despite traditionally not placing much emphasis on New Year’s resolutions, he mentioned a continued focus on self-improvement and bringing joy to people:
“I usually don’t put a lot of stock into New Year’s stuff, but reflecting on the past year, [I’m] super grateful for what I’ve got, what I’ve gone through. [I] always really look forward to what the next year will bring. The older I get, the harder and easier it gets. So, I’m always looking forward to getting back out on the road, playing some shows, seeing some faces, familiar faces and new faces at the shows. So, yeah. I don’t know what else. I guess the new year is a cleansing, and I’ve got a new goal or something. I’m really just continuing to try and improve myself, get better, have a better attitude about life, about other people’s lives, and just try to bring as much joy to people as possible.”
Metallica’s 2023 Highlights
2023 was a significant year for Metallica, marked by their world tour supporting their latest album, ’72 Seasons.’ This album was released on April 14, 2023, and the tour itself was notable for its ‘No Repeat Weekend’ format, where the band performed two different setlists on consecutive nights in the same location.
The tour also saw Metallica performing for the first time in Saudi Arabia at the Soundstorm festival. Drummer Lars Ulrich commented on the band’s ongoing relevance, noting that people’s engagement with their music is a source of happiness for the band:
“In your guys’ industry, some of the same things that we were dealing with 20 years ago are happening. Big picture, and I know this may sound like a little bit of a cop-out, I’m just happy that f*cking anybody cares about what we’re doing and shows up to see us play and still stream or buy or steal our records or whatever.”
Metallica’s Future Plans
Looking ahead, Metallica’s schedule remains packed with the continuation of the M72 World Tour. The tour is set to resume in May 2024 with performances in Munich, Germany, and Milan, Italy, with dates running through September 27, 2024.
In addition to his musical endeavors, Hetfield is expanding his artistic horizons. He is set to appear in the upcoming Western film ‘The Thicket,’ an adaptation of Joe R. Lansdale’s novel. The film, directed by Elliott Lester and written by Cristopher Kelley, features a cast including Peter Dinklage, Juliette Lewis, Esmé Creed-Miles, and Levon Hawke.
