“I’m an ***hole or Whatever” Lars Ulrich Talks Becoming Self-Aware

Lars Ulrich has been the punchline to more than his fair share of metal jokes. As it turns out, the man behind the drum kit in Metallica has developed a mustard seed of self-awareness.

In a recent interview with Metal Hammer, the drummer talks about the interpersonal dynamics of Metallica and finally reaching the point where the four members feel like they can be vulnerable around each other.

“There are times when you’re not as comfortable being vulnerable and showing your insecurities, and all these things make you put on a harder shell,” he says. “But certainly in our current frame of mind, we’re very comfortable with things like that. We love each other and we respect each other and we admire each other.

Regarding James Hetfield’s post-rehab condition, Ulrich responds: “He’s doing great. Like all of us… Do I have my own worries and insecurities? Of course. I have good days, as a band member, as a parent, as a life-partner, a song, a friend. Then I have other days where I feel like a fucking idiot or a loser or my head is not screwed on straight, I’m an asshole or whatever.”

Metallica’s new album, 72 Seasons, is out today. Check out where they’ll be on tour soon: 

Metallica: M72 World Tour 2023 dates

• Apr 27: Amsterdam Johan Cruijff Arena, Netherlands
  Apr 29: Amsterdam Johan Cruijff Arena, Netherlands
  May 17: Paris Stade de France, France
  May 19: Paris Stade de France, France
  May 26: Hamburg Volksparkstadion, Germany
  May 28: Hamburg Volksparkstadion, Germany
  Jun 08: Download Festival, UK
  Jun 10: Download Festival, UK
  Jun 16: Gothenburg Ullevi Stadium, Sweden
  Jun 18: Gothenburg Ullevi Stadium, Sweden
  Aug 04: East Rutherford MetLife Stadium, NJ, USA
  Aug 06: East Rutherford MetLife Stadium, NJ, USA
  Aug 11: Montreal Stade Olympique, Canada
  Aug 13: Montreal Stade Olympique, Canada
  Aug 18: Arlington AT&T Stadium, TX, USA
  Aug 20: Arlington AT&T Stadium, TX, USA
  Aug 25: Inglewood SoFi Stadium, CA, USA
  Aug 27: Inglewood SoFi Stadium, CA, USA
  Sep 01: Glendale State Farm Stadium, AZ, USA
  Sep 03: Glendale State Farm Stadium, AZ, USA
  Nov 03: St. Louis The Dome at America’s Center, MO, USA
  Nov 05: St. Louis, The Dome at America’s Center, MO, USA
  Nov 10: Detroit Ford Field, MI, USA
  Nov 12: Detroit Ford Field, MI, USA

 

Metallica: M72 World Tour 2024 dates

• May 24: Munich Olympiastadion, Germany
  May 26: Munich Olympiastadion, Germany
  Jun 07: Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Finland
  Jun 09: Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Finland
  Jun 14: Copenhagen Parken Stadium, Denmark
  Jun 16: Copenhagen Parken Stadium, Denmark
  Jul 05: Warsaw PGE Narodowy, Poland
  Jul 07: Warsaw PGE Narodowy, Poland
  Jul 12: Madrid Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano, Spain
  Jul 14: Madrid Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano, Spain
  Aug 02: Foxborough Gillette Stadium, MA, USA
  Aug 04: Foxborough Gillette Stadium, MA, USA
  Aug 09: Chicago Soldier Field, IL, USA
  Aug 11: Chicago Soldier Field, IL, USA
  Aug 16: Minneapolis US Bank Stadium, MN, USA
  Aug 18: Minneapolis US Bank Stadium, MN, USA
  Aug 23: Edmonton Commonwealth Stadium, Canada
  Aug 25: Edmonton Commonwealth Stadium, Canada
  Aug 30: Seattle Lumen Field, WA, USA
  Sep 01: Seattle Lumen Field, WA, USA
  Sep 20: Mexico City Foro Sol, Mexico
  Sep 22: Mexico City Foro Sol, Mexico
  Sep 27: Mexico City Foro Sol, Mexico
  Sep 29: Mexico City Foro Sol, Mexico