Metallica vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield was interviewed by Don Jantzen for 94.5 The Buzz in Houston, TX earlier this week. During the course of the chat Hetfield lamented the touring climate for metal bands in North America.
He also revealed that the groups ‘Orion Music + More‘ festival has been a “disaster financially.” An excerpt from the chat can be read below with the full interview posted after the break. The excerpt in question begins around 8 minutes in:
“I don’t know what’s happening with the the States has gotta step up and want their music. I’m not sure what’s going on in the States as far as rock and metal goes, and concert-wise, but there’s not really any willingness to get a big show out there; and you know make it worthwhile to actually get out there and play. You see other bands gathering up six different bands just to go out and play. It’s pretty tough in North America.”
He continued:
“Right now, it seems like metal is struggling a little bit in the States. Obviously, the Orion festival that we had tried to do the last couple of years has really not been… Gosh, it’s been a disaster financially, and it’s not able to happen again because of that. So it’s a bummer.
So, you know, we’re doing what we can to keep being alive here. And I hope to get out and play in the States. It seems like forever since we’ve been out and about. You know, we’ve hit the coasts and we’ve done TV stuff and things like that. But it will happen again. So hopefully, to get your fix, you’re able to get the DVD and sit there and headbang with your friends, you know.”
Metallica have been doing the press rounds as of late to promote the home video release of their film, “Metallica Through The Never“, which is in stores now.
