NEW METALLICA ALBUM TO BE RELEASED IN SEPTEMBER?

According to NME.com, drummer Lars Ulrich has stated that the new Metallica album will be released in September. Says Ulrich, “We’re just finishing up a record, we’ve got six weeks left and it should be out in September, that’s the idea right now.” This after the album was scheduled for Spring 2008, but, obviously, was delayed. The band is working with producer Rick Rubin after dismissing long-time collaborator and St. Tinitus mastermind Bob Rock.

So is a new Metallica album in 2008 a possibility? Will it be any good? Is there any way the band can redeem themselves after the atrocity that was 2003’s St. Anger? Does a new Metallica album have any shard of a chance of being relevant? Will Kirk Hammet bring back guitar solos? Will James’ beard growth continue?

-VN