This is the Metallica Club sponsored chat with James Hetfield. This chat is presented in two parts, first the private club members only chat, followed by the pubic open forum chat.

The chat has been edited to make it easier to read.

MET CLUB: ok Gizzrd go

GIZZRD: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BAND WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO THESE DAYS?

MET CLUB: Rocket from the Crypt.. COC

MET CLUB: Metal 62 go

Metal62: instrumentally wise, what do you think is the hardest song you ever made?

MET CLUB: To Live is to Die

Metal62: cool

MET CLUB: Dirtnap go

Dirtnap101: Do you really like doing this (talking with fans and stuff)???

MET CLUB: when i get good questions

BSweari213: i like that answer

MET CLUB: Talika mom

TalikaMom: Do you always dedicate Wasting My Hate to COC, as you did the past two nights, and why?

MET CLUB: cause they are worthy of a dedication

TalikaMom: I agree...thanks

MET CLUB: I think they are a good band and want people to notice them more

MET CLUB: Ouija Esp Go

Ouija ESP: I got to hang out with Mike Dean a couple of nights here in Chicago. Did you play guitar on Deliverance. Is this true was he lying his ass off to me?

MET CLUB: he is half lying out of half of his ass

MET CLUB: I sang on Wiseblood Cd

MET CLUB: ScaryGuy98

ScaryGuy98: Oh..I'm just gonna kinda wing it here, k?

ScaryGuy98: First off, what do you think of the fans that think they kinda sorta own a piece of the band

MET CLUB: no one owns anyone there should be mutual respect

MET CLUB: ok Tamitarium go

TAMITARIUM: I met you in AZ and it was the best night ever ....what was your inspiration for MAMA SAID?

MET CLUB: that song was not intitially meant for Metallica

MET CLUB: just a tune for myself... bored in a hotel room

TAMITARIUM: well, I love the song

MET CLUB: Reaper9666

REAPER9666: Jaymz Would you ever play JUST the 2nd half of MOP live??

MET CLUB: no

MET CLUB: if we were to play the 2nd half it would be the full version and we obviously don't want to do that so that we have time to play other songs

MET CLUB: Mightyhet go

MightyHet: Will "The Chase is Better Than The Catch" and "We Are the Road Crew" be released as b-sides?

MightyHet: And what will the next US single be?

MET CLUB: They may show up at some time...

MET CLUB: Mama Said MAY be released

MightyHet: Cool! Thanx, Jaymz!

MET CLUB: EMtP gp

EMTP97: why haven't you played Sanitarium yet on the tour?

MET CLUB: I am glad you enjoyed it, we have fun at evryone of our shows

MET CLUB: KLA 679 go

KLA 679: What do you like the most about hunting?

MET CLUB: getting away from people... becoming an animal

DAMNGOOD3: hahahahah

MET CLUB: Yeagster go

KLA 679: sound like a great idea

Yeagstr: James, my friend Alex was wondering who do you think is gonna win the Stanley Cup??

Ouija ESP: Wings!!!

BSweari213: Blackhawks

MET CLUB: safe bet.. not the Sharks

MET CLUB: Damngood go

DAMNGOOD3: Whats the main guitar effects processor that u use in the black album that gives that great metal crunch sound in the black album and justice for all

DAMNGOOD3: i wont tell any one

MET CLUB: there are no effects processer... my ESP guitar.. with EMG pickups through Mesa Boogie tri axis

DAMNGOOD3: oh ....hmmmmm

MET CLUB: and a Bob Rock

DAMNGOOD3: lol... I bet

MET CLUB: Metal Karyn go

MetalKaryn: What qualities to you look for in a girlfriend?

MET CLUB: a volume knob

MET CLUB: Jaymz666 go

Jaymz666: What do you think of the new Danzig album & the resurrection of the Misfits.

MET CLUB: I am not a fan of the new Danzig album

MET CLUB: or industrial music in general

MET CLUB: the Misfits album surprised me

MET CLUB: it sounds a lot better than I was expecting

Jaymz666: Album?

Jaymz666: Thought they were still recording.

MET CLUB: the writing and phrasing remind me of the early Misfits , which I love

MET CLUB: Kizbitt go

KizBitt: James, First off, I love you. Anyway, Whats up with the rumors about you having tinnitus?

MET CLUB: what? pardon?

MET CLUB: W MalagaNT GO

W Malagant: What the fuck inspired you to pull the MTV Euro stunt? :) LOL! Did they fine you...? :)

W Malagant: Thanks again Carole!

W Malagant: Andwhat did you think of that public chat? :) UGH!

MET CLUB: THEY didn't fine us but in replays of the show we were not found

MET CLUB: The show was so boring and Un metallica we decided

MET CLUB: to take extreme measures to entertain at least ourselves and crew

MET CLUB: HSwann go

W Malagant: Fuck Yeah JAYMZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;-)

HSwann: "Mama Said" reminds me a lot of the Lynyrd Skynyrd song "Simple Man". Was this an influence

HSwann: for the song? Have you ever considered playing a Skynyrd cover live?

MET CLUB: I would have no problem with that..

HSwann: how about tomorrow night here in Nashville

MET CLUB: there is some truth to the Skynyrd connections

HSwann: really explain

MET CLUB: i was overdosing on Skynyrd at that time

MET CLUB: Metalheads.. go

MetalHeads: I think Cliff would've liked the musical quality of "Load", what do you think?

MET CLUB: I am sure he does

MET CLUB: rachrock go

RACHROCK: What BLM area is your favorite to hunt and what's your favorite kill and how big was it...

RACHROCK: and I live in san jose, so how about a ride in the back of your ram.

MET CLUB: I usually hunt on private land

MET CLUB: or at the local mall

MET CLUB: biggest kill, so far was mule deer in colorado

RACHROCK: cool

MET CLUB: but i have a Wyoming elk trip planned this fall

MET CLUB: KZ South go

KZ South: Hey Jaymz!! Any more suprise songs for us on the end of the tour?? (devil's d, fuel, disco)

MET CLUB: we do fiddle around with some of the new riffs when we first hit the stage

MET CLUB: but we are very excited to get in the studio to finish up the songs

MET CLUB: JD go

JDROPP: You guys have been playing 2 songs from #7, Devil's Dance and Fuel... is this an indication of the feeling or vibe for the new one? (Is that line in Fuel "Replace my blood with gasoline?)

MET CLUB: no, but thanks for the lyrics.... "it's quench my thirst with gasoline"

MET CLUB: the next record will be more... dense than Load

MET CLUB: less extreme

MET CLUB: Jlyric1 go

JLyric1: what 3 cd's would you not want to be without??

MET CLUB: the first Skynyrd.. rocket from the crypt, scream dracula scream Partidge Family's greatest hits, for it's intense lyrics

JLyric1: cool, thanks!

MET CLUB: Ladytalica go

LadyTalica: Hi James!! What did you think of all the negativaty about Load? I personally love Load

MET CLUB: once people realized that hair doesn't make you play better

MET CLUB: then they could really listen to the CD and realize there are some good tunes on there

MET CLUB: DigCmetal

DigCMetal: James..this is Stephan in Landover, 2 great shows by the way..can we nominate you for an...

DigCMetal: acting award? what do you think of Manson?

MET CLUB: old charlie writes some good lyrics

MET CLUB: coni123 go

Coni123: When will we have another private party like Slims maybe more personal or like a party!!

Coni123: also my son is a gunsmith and does custom work may I sent info

MET CLUB: possibly before the next tour to work out some bugs from the next studio album

MET CLUB: Kingstep go

KingStep: whats the worst thing that happened to you guys on the road so far?...... ...and did you get any comments on the Gavin deal at the awards..?

MET CLUB: bus accident in Sweden

ALAN 0311: i was talking to ron mcgoveny and he said "NICK" the club booth, tried to get in bed with him

ALAN 0311: is Nick gay?

MET CLUB: no, but his boyfriend is

MET CLUB: headbangerz

HEADBANGRZ: DO YOU SNOWBOARD OR SKI AND HAVE YOU GOT A CHANCE TO CHECK OUT THE EAST COAST SKI RESORTS ..

MET CLUB: I snowboard and have for 3 seasons

HEADBANGRZ: LIKE THE METALLICA GONDOLA IN KILLINGTON VT.

MET CLUB: have not done any on the east coast

MET CLUB: but CO and CA.. plenty

MET CLUB: Gllws RD go

GLLWS RD: did playing in Hampton bring back memories of the last US show with Cliff ?

GLLWS RD: Please play puppets again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MET CLUB: Cliff's with us at every show

MET CLUB: Jaymzgirl go

JaymzGrrl: Jaymz we are driving from L.A. to Reno for the show May 14 and was wondering if we could

JaymzGrrl: meet ya and party with ya after the show

JaymzGrrl: i'll bring the coors ..and the tequila

MET CLUB: sure.. check with road crew.. they know where the party is

JaymzGrrl: kewl

MET CLUB: Mizblu go

Mizblu: Who plots the direction of the tours, I mean Fargo ND in Feb. and TX in May?

MET CLUB: Lars

MET CLUB: he is from Denmark.. he loves it cold.. it keeps his head from swelling

Mizblu: could be worse, could be TX staduim.

MET CLUB: ok... thanks for showing.. Carole is tired of typing and is making me quit

Public Chat with James Hetfield

OnlineHost: Copyright 1997 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

AOLiveMC5: Hi I'm Jane and I'll be your host for this evening, here's our first question

Question: Hey James, What's your favorite Metallica song?

MET CLUB: I 'd have to say the Thing That Should Not Be

MET CLUB: From Master of Puppets

MET CLUB: 4N

Question: what advice would you give a guitar player in high school who wants be just like you

MET CLUB: Stop now while you can...

MET CLUB: Joke

MegK: LOL

MET CLUB: Serious answer would be..

AOLiveMC5: hahahaha

MET CLUB: Play along with the music you like listening to

MET CLUB: That's what How I started

Question: I have been told that you may put off the release of your next album. Is this true? Do you have a name for the album yet? If so, what?

MET CLUB: No name yet, the songs are already written

MET CLUB: just need to finish the recording of them over the summer

MET CLUB: with the release planned before Christmas of 97

Question: Hey Jaymz, What's Your Favorite MetallicA Song?

MET CLUB: we answered that one

Question: James, are you guyz gonna release another box set or live video? I heard a rumor about this.

MET CLUB: There are plans to film one of the shows this spring

MET CLUB: but no plans on what we will do with it yet

Question: Dear Jaymz what gauge and model do you use of Ernie Ball Strings?

MET CLUB: 10 gage / steel

Question: Will the club please start taking FAN CAN '98 orders now so we can have them for Christmas please?

MET CLUB: Ha ha.. whatever money you want to send us, don't expect back haha

MET CLUB: Seriously.. the 97 Fancan will be out before the 98 one

Question: Jaymz I wanna get a tattoo of the new logo or the scary guy, and I need to know your opinion on this?

MET CLUB: If it is not a rub on tattoo, you had better really think about it you may think we suck next year

Question: how did Metallica form?

MET CLUB: out of sheer boredom at work

Question: what guitar player infuenced you the most?

MET CLUB: Tony Iommi

Question: James, Do you forsee any other Metallica albums coming out after the release of "Load 2"?

MET CLUB: I can't think that far ahead.. we concentrate on one album at a time

Question: Why did you change your style of music? To be more specific, why did you change from the heavy metal style to more of a alternative style?

MET CLUB: We write Metallica songs, we don't follow what is popular. Thanks for letting me know that we are an alternATIVE band

Question: The video for Until it Sleeps is reminiscent of paintings by the Dutch Renaissance artist Heironymus Bosch. Did Bosch's work provide inspiration for the video?

MET CLUB: Yes

Question: I heard a rumor that another band member is getting married? is this true and if so please tell me its not you!!

MET CLUB: why what's wrong with me?

MET CLUB: no plans that i have heard of

Question: Any new Covers on the B sides of singles(Breadfan, So What etc...)

MET CLUB: the full version of OUtlaw Torn should be on one

MET CLUB: we are still arguing over what bands to cover

Question: did you enjoy boston as much as boston enjoyed having you at the fleet center?

MET CLUB: the best concert of my life... again

MET CLUB: ha ha.. the place did sound vry good

Question: are you guyz gonna re release garage days revisited

MET CLUB: we have heard that question

MET CLUB: plenty of times

MET CLUB: and yes eventually , it will resurface

MET CLUB: so join the Fan Club now...

Question: Jaymz are we gonna get another Phoenix date? Hell man I'll drive to Tucson to see you guys!

MET CLUB: Tucson is a possible next summer of 98

Question: I know the new album is nearly done, but after its release man are we gonna have to wait another 5 years man? Please dont stay away that long man!

MET CLUB: no, man not another 5 years

AOLiveMC5: That's good to know

MET CLUB: none of us can wait that long again

Question: Who's idea was it for the explosive ending of the concert. I caught the show in Las Cruces, NM with Korn

MET CLUB: did we fool you?

MET CLUB: it was a collaborative effort of us all

Question: James, to what do you attribute Metallica's longevity over other bands that formed

Question: aorund the same time, ie Metal Church, Anthrax, etc.?

MET CLUB: haircuts ha ha

MET CLUB: seriously

MET CLUB: our connections with the fans ( join the club ha ha) and our our "sibling rivalary" keepig each other in check

Question: Aren't you EVER gonna get tired of being on the road? It seems like you've toured for like 8 years straight!

MET CLUB: Metallica has always been a live band that is how we got our intitial fans and it is the funnest part of being in a band

OnlineHost: for info on Metallica fan club E-mail your full name and postal address to Met Club@aol.com

Question: Hey James! Rumor has it the Mustaine might play the keyboards for metallica is that so?

MET CLUB: If he is lucky we are looking for a washboard player though

Question: What do you think of the music scene now? Will it have an efect on your later recordings?

MET CLUB: We don't pay attention to what go on around us too much except when pyrotechnics go off

AOLiveMC5: Here's one from a fan wishing for recognition tomorrow night:

Question: Will you play creeping death tommorw night in Nashville im going and could you dedicate it too Josh West

MET CLUB: I am not good at dedications, but we will be playing Creping Death.. just for you and everyone else

Question: do you and the band feel obligated to play any songs in particular at your shows? Thanks, and keep up the awesome concerts

MET CLUB: Creeping Death haha

MET CLUB: there are some songs we feel we must play for ourselves like Fade to Black

Question: Why not printed lyrics inside Load? Are the ones found on the internet totally accurate?

MET CLUB: no they are not.. join the Club to get the real ones

AOLiveMC5: LOL

Question: Whatever happened to the white Flying V that some of your older fans remember so well?

MET CLUB: It is in a few pieces in my closet

Question: do members of metallica do musical projects outside the band? like solo work or other stuff on tha side?

MET CLUB: personally, I have no time for that all my time is spent concetrating on Metallica

MET CLUB: Jason will jam with anyone

Question: I was wondering if you ever kept in touch with Mike Burgess the Motherload contest winner & if a video will ever be released of the show at the pub. Also, did he really get to keep all that equippment?!?!

MET CLUB: It just so happens that there footage of that and MORE in the 97 Fan Can 2

Question: James-Hi, I had Tickets And backstage passes to your show in Buffalo 0n the 25th of March-why is it that You, Kirk, And Lars don't come back after the show (backstage)?

MET CLUB: someone has to load to trucks

Question: I play the guitar in a band, how do you keep the band from killing each other during practices?

MET CLUB: we don't practice

Question: James, what was your life like as a kid?

MET CLUB: smaller

Question: How old were you when you got in your first band?

MET CLUB: 15.. Obsession was my first band

Question: how long did it take you to learn how to play the guitar?

MET CLUB: still learning.. but constant practice after school with buddies the compettion helped push me

Question: The early Metallica songs featured a lot of Lovecraftian influences...was that from Cliff?

MET CLUB: yes he was into the Lovecraft mythos and introduced Kirk and I to it

AOLiveMC5: And our last question for the evening

Question: WHAT WAS THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE?

MET CLUB: I am waiting for it!

MET CLUB: nice chatting with ya, see ya somewhere on the road

AOLiveMC5: James Hetfield, Thank you so much for coming

OnlineHost: Copyright 1997 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved.