Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich has opened up about the band’s private communication habits. He revealed details about their exclusive group chat in a recent interview with Variety.
During the interview, Ulrich was asked about whether the band members share fan-created Metallica memes with each other. This prompted him to discuss their internal communication methods.
“We have a band-only text thread that’s just for the four members, and there are definitely some fun things that we see in this day and age with everybody being so creative,” Ulrich said.
The drummer went on to share a specific example of content that recently made its way into their private chat.
“There was this ‘Star Wars’ one going around a week or two ago which was really funny,” he continued. “There are some conversations between Darth Vader and a whole thing that builds up, and then they’re talking about the dark side. Then all of a sudden it goes into ‘Darkness imprisoning me!’ — that whole thing from ‘One.’ I think it had its origins on TikTok.”
Ulrich also expressed the band’s appreciation for fan creativity. He acknowledged the challenges of keeping up with the volume of fan-generated content.
“We love people’s creativity, and to see so many fans reinterpret our songs, whether it’s on guitar or drums or singing them and obviously taking them into different genres,” he said. “Sometimes you mix a little AI in there and then something fun spits out. It’s a lot to keep track of because this happens hundreds, if not thousands, of times a day. But there are some fun ones that get into our band-only text thread for the four of us to enjoy and appreciate.”
The comments were made during promotion of the new documentary “Metallica Saved My Life.”
This openness to fan creativity and improved communication reflects a significant evolution in Metallica’s internal dynamics over the decades.
The band’s current collaborative approach stands in stark contrast to their earlier years. Communication issues nearly tore the group apart during that time. Sparks Group reported that Metallica utilized performance coaches to improve their teamwork and communication skills. Ulrich has reflected on the positive impact of this approach. He noted how the band now prioritizes their relationships over creative disagreements.
“We realize now that there’s nothing creatively or nothing practically that’s worth damaging that relationship over. And — dare I use the word — empathy shows up occasionally in this band now,” Ulrich said in discussing their improved dynamics.
This commitment to continuous learning has been a consistent theme throughout Ulrich’s career. Ultimate Metallica documented that even in 1986 during the Master of Puppets era, Ulrich emphasized the band’s dedication to growth and adaptation. He stated that Metallica always takes the attitude that they can never stop learning and are always interested in soaking up influences and improving their musical abilities.
Throughout his decades-long career, Ulrich has also adapted his drumming style and equipment to match Metallica’s evolving sound. Wikipedia noted that his approach has shifted from aggressive thrash beats in the 1980s to simplified hard rock grooves in the 1990s. It then returned to a more aggressive style in recent albums. He currently endorses Tama drums and hardware. He recently featured a bright yellow kit with black hardware on tour.
