Why the hell didn't you guys play Trapped Under Ice during your Antarctica show?

We forgot! We talked about it the week before but in all the momentary excitement, we literally forgot.

What's your favorite Megadeth song?

"My Last Words"

Hey Lars, After all these years, how do you feel about Dave Mustaine? ?

It hasn't changed. I respect him as a musician and I will always love him as a brother and as a part of Metallica.

Lars, what was the significance of the stuffed animal you used to have on your kit in the early days? Reference pic http://imgur.com/Kt3DcZ9

Flemming, my drum roadie, put it there one day. And it stayed on there til one day he took it off.

Do you think Hetfield could kill a bear with his bare hands?

I think he already has.

who pushed the hair to the back of your head?

My mom and dad and my DNA.

Hey Lars! I’m HUGE FAN of Metallica. I’ve been trying for over almost 20 years to meet Metallica just to say THANK YOU for your incredible music. It has inspired my love for heavy metal music and to play guitar. My questions for you are: What do you think of the state of heavy metal today? Do you think we will ever see another HUGE metal act the likes of Metallica/Maiden/Priest and such? Do you think metal will ever make a resurgence to the glory days of the 80’s? Thanks for doing this AMA.

That's a great question. I think it would be so awesome if there was a band that come along and shook it all up again. I just don't know who. I think the coolest band for me in the last couple years is Baroness. I also love Norwegian band Kvelertak. But I just don't know if any of these bands can take it to those heights unfortunately.

What is the most metal thing you've ever done?

Pick my nose.

Favorite beer?

Tuborg or Carlsberg

Did you ever talk to AC/DC during the '91 Monsters of Rock headline at Donington? If so, what was Brian and Angus like?

Yes I did. They're super nice. Very chill. Easy going. Quiet. Low key. Over the course of the tour, I would get invited back to the dressing room after the show to have tea with Angus. It was very cool.

Why did you guys cut your hair back in 1996? I felt not only your image changed but so did your music. Was this the point or part of marketing?

It had nothing to do with marketing whatsoever. It was 5 years between the Black Album and Load and in that timespan the members of Metallica at various points decided individually to trim their hair length. It stunned us to the point of disbelief that people actually gave a shit about our hair when the record came out. But it was nothing to do with image or marketing or any of that nonsense.

What is it like to still be performing after all these years?

It's great to still be performing after all these years. We work hard to stay in good shape. As long as we're healthy, it's very invigorating.

Will you guys release a new album? What do you think of Death Magnetic?

We will definitely release a new album. We'll start working on it as soon as I'm done with this AMA! Death Magnetic is the album of ours that has latest the longest for me in a positive way.

What up man!

You tell me!

Hej Lars! Big fan here, can’t fucking wait to see you guys again in Finland and Sweden this may. The Big 4 show in Gothenburg was insane. I don’t have overly complicated questions, just a few simple ones!

I’m just curious where you can see Metallica go next. After Through the Never, playing Antarctica and rocking the Grammys with Lang Lang, other than recording the new album (which I can’t fucking wait for!), what can you see being next in store for Metallica?

I was also wondering about the Metallicabyrequest.com initiative, I loved to vote so I’d like to know if you could only choose one song from the setlist to play, what would it be? I think I’d choose Fixxxer.

And finally, now that you have the rights to your own music, are you considering remastering some of the earlier albums? Thanks!

PS

I made this graphic for tumblr (a blogging platform) when you turned 50 chronicling a great 2013 for you and Metallica, and they all loved it on there, so happy late birthday! http://imgur.com/iVVE2ar

Yes, we are considering remastering some of the early records.

If I could only choose one song, I'd probably choose "Frayed Ends".

Hello Lars, I have a few questions if that’s ok..

1. Will we ever see a NA tour with the TTN stage? I want to see that beast live.

2. Have you guys started on the new album yet? If so, how is it coming along?

3. Last year you did a Metallica night at the SF Giants game. Any chance of Metallica ever doing this at a Sharks game? The Sharks skate out on to the ice to Seek and Destroy, only thing more awesome then that would be to have you guys there playing it.

4. You have made 10 studio albums, a concert with a symphony, you did the Big 4 shows, a documentary and a 3D movie, what is the next big thing?

5. “Am I the only one here that thinks Metallica should come back to Fresno a little more often than every 4 fucking years?” It’s been just over 5 years since then Lars, still waiting…

6. Not a question but just wanted to tell you thank you. I have seen you in Fresno 03 and 08, opening for the Rolling Stones in 05, the Bridge School Benefit show in 07, the Marin show in 09, the Shark Tank in 09 and the Big 4 show in Indio. Everyone one of them has been fucking awesome

2. Yes we have started. Coming along slowly, like everything in our world. But the jams we've done so far have been super exciting and it's gonna be fun putting this record together in the next year.

I would love to tour NA with the TNN stage - that would be super cool. I don't know if it's imminent, but it's certainly part of our long range plans.

1. Tell them to call us! We have been solid supporters of the Bay Area's own Sharks for 20 years, and have always voiced our love and support for them at every opportune moment.