You read that right: Modern metal’s founding fathers Metallica (left) have recorded an album with alt-rock godfather Lou Reed (not pictured due to shyness).
Although it seems like a curious combination at first—Stephanie Says Kill ‘Em All? Master of Taking a Walk on the Wild Side? Romeo Had Juliette After Entering Sandman?—Reed was the first major rocker to release an album of uncompromising (and almost unlistenable) noise rock with 1975′s Metal Machine Music. So maybe this combination was inevitable. Plus, the Velvet Underground had an album called Loaded: Was it a spiritual precursor to Metallica’s ’90s albums Load and ReLoad? (Answer: no.)
According to a statement on Metallica’s website, Lou and the boys have been “kicking around the idea of making a record together” since they shared the stage for the 25th Anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame a couple years ago. Here’s the full statement:
A few months ago our own Kirk Hammett hinted at a new Metallica project that’s “not really 100 percent a Metallica record.” While Kirk may have jumped the gun a little (and has since been properly punished with a series of push-ups!), we are more than proud to announce that we have just completed recording a full length album that is a collaboration with none other than the legendary Lou Reed.
Ever since we had the pleasure of performing with Lou at the 25th Anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at Madison Square Garden in October of 2009, we have been kicking around the idea of making a record together. Some of you astute Bay Area residents may have picked up news of recent Lou Reed sightings in the greater San Francisco area and we have indeed been working at our home studio at HQ on and off over the last few months. In what would be lightning speed for a Metallica related project, we recorded ten songs during this time and while at this moment we’re not exactly sure when you’ll hear it, we’re beyond excited to share with you that the recording sessions wrapped up last week.
A true innovator and easily one of the most influential songwriters, musicians, and performers in rock music history, Lou’s work with the Velvet Underground and as a solo artist has such an enduring quality that he has long been revered and respected by us and many of our peers. We can’t wait for you to listen to the finished record, so as we like to hear ourselves say around here, keep watching this spot for updates… we’ll be back with more details as they come together.
Although it seems like a curious combination at first—Stephanie Says Kill ‘Em All? Master of Taking a Walk on the Wild Side? Romeo Had Juliette After Entering Sandman?—Reed was the first major rocker to release an album of uncompromising (and almost unlistenable) noise rock with 1975′s Metal Machine Music. So maybe this combination was inevitable. Plus, the Velvet Underground had an album called Loaded: Was it a spiritual precursor to Metallica’s ’90s albums Load and ReLoad? (Answer: no.)
According to a statement on Metallica’s website, Lou and the boys have been “kicking around the idea of making a record together” since they shared the stage for the 25th Anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame a couple years ago. Here’s the full statement:
A few months ago our own Kirk Hammett hinted at a new Metallica project that’s “not really 100 percent a Metallica record.” While Kirk may have jumped the gun a little (and has since been properly punished with a series of push-ups!), we are more than proud to announce that we have just completed recording a full length album that is a collaboration with none other than the legendary Lou Reed.
A true innovator and easily one of the most influential songwriters, musicians, and performers in rock music history, Lou’s work with the Velvet Underground and as a solo artist has such an enduring quality that he has long been revered and respected by us and many of our peers. We can’t wait for you to listen to the finished record, so as we like to hear ourselves say around here, keep watching this spot for updates… we’ll be back with more details as they come together.
