Metallica Let Fans Choose Setlist For Upcoming Shows, Announce New Song

Thrash legends Metallica have revealed big plans for the new year, announcing that they are ready to record a new album following the release of their Through The Never concert film. Before hitting the studio, the band will hit the road in Europe and are giving fans a chance to choose their setlists.

The band is giving ticket-holders to their upcoming European dates the chance to choose 17 of the 18 songs the band plays on the night, as opposed to Lars Ulrich who’s usually tasked with the duty. The 18th song of the night, the band write, will be a brand new, never-before-heard track.

“Vote for all your favorites from the close to 140 songs we’ve recorded in our [30-year] career,” write the band. “To make it more fun along the way, you’ll be able to follow what you and your fellow fans are selecting by watching the [official Metallica website] for continuous results,” they add.

Regarding a new album, the band write that they are restless after having worked on their film project for so long, saying, “After spending the better part of the last couple of years making our film Through The Never, we are so ready to make another album…it’s been far too long!”

Earlier this year, frontman James Hetfield told an interviewer that he is “itchin'” to make a new album, saying, “We have tons of material to sift through. That takes a lot of time, because there’s a lot of great stuff. I know we only need a few songs, but there’s 800 riffs we’re going through.”

This year also saw the band return to TV performance on The Colbert Report, out themselves as “Beliebers,” reveal their desire to play the world-famous Glastonbury Festival, and announce their plans to play a headlining set in Antarctica. Check out the band’s full statement, below.

(Via Banana 101.5)

‘Metallica By Request’ Statement

After spending the better part of the last couple of years making our film Through The Never, we are so ready to make another album… it’s been far too long! And when we’re locked away in the studio, history has dictated that we always need that inspirational break to soak up all the great live Metalli-energy that you guys bring to the gigs. So as we may have done once or twice before (!!), we will be hitting the road this summer, but not just for another “European vacation”… we’ve added a twist – YOU PICK THE SET LIST!!

As we embark on two short treks through Europe, we’re going to give you, the ticket holders, the chance to vote on what songs you would like to hear at the show(s) that you attend. It will be pretty simple… pick up your ticket(s) online and you’ll receive an e-mail shortly after with a code and a link to a site on which you may cast your ballot. We normally play around 18 songs a night, and since we didn’t want to be left out of the fun, the band also gets to vote . . . and we vote for a NEW SONG! That leaves the other 17 slots for you to choose, so vote for all your favorites from the close to 140 songs we’ve recorded in our career and to make it more fun along the way, you’ll be able to follow what you and your fellow fans are selecting by watching the site for continuous results.

In true Metallica fashion, we don’t have all the shows ready for you just yet, but here are a few dates to get you started:

June 4, 2014 – Imtech Arena, Sonisphere – Hamburg, Germany, tickets on sale November 29 at 10:00 AM local time

June 5-8, 2014 – Rock Am Ring – Nürburgring, Germany, tickets on sale November 27 at 9:00 AM local time

June 6-9, 2014 – Rock Im Park – Nürnberg, Germany, tickets on sale November 27 at 9:00 AM local time

Tickets will be available at www.eventim.de.

Keep watching here for additions to the schedule and other updates next week as we gear up for 2014!

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