Metallica, who has dominated music world for past 30 years with their gospel of heavy metals, baptized a whole new generation of metal fans across the globe. Nine times Grammy winning American band finally performed their first ever concert live in India at Bangalore in October.
Following the concert, pioneering metal band has also released their much talked about collaborative album â€?LuLu’ with King of avant-rock Lou Reed. The four metal gods shared with Radioandmusic.com’s Swagata Panjari, their experience of collaborating with the King of avant-rock and about their first live performance in India. The band also provided an insight on their much talked about Big Four series and future projects.
Excerpts:
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Tell us about your new collaborative project LULU?
Kirk: I think Lulu is one of our finest works we’ve ever done. It got us to know that we could still be absolutely impetuous and in the jiffy that we probably haven’t been for quite a while. Lulu has a different sound than our previous records; it’s an artistic attempt towards regular heavy metal rock. The album cannot be judged or compared to any of our previous works.
How did the collaboration with Lou Reed took place?
Lars: Two years ago, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame were throwing a 25th year celebratory bash at Madison Square Garden. We were searching for an artiste to collaborate for next album, and the most obvious choice was Lou Reed who I think is like a solo version of Metallic. So we asked Lou if he would like to come and play with us and he said yes.
The original idea was to revisit some of Lou’s sort of lost jewels of songs. The tracks that Lou felt should get a second spin with the Metallica flavor added to it. The idea hung in the air for a couple of months, in April, Lou called up and said, â€?listen, I got this other idea: are you game’ and that’s when the whole â€?Lulu’ and the Robert Wilson produced play entered into our lives.
Share your experiences of working with King of avant-rock â€?Lou Reed’?
Lars: For decades Lou has been reinventing himself and not only challenging himself but also his fans. Working together has been wonderful, We’ve been forever touched and changed by the project LULU entering into our existences.
How was it to perform in India for the first time?
James: It was an awesome experience and the audience was fantastic. We received lots of love and support from the people in India. Yes, we would love to come to India again.
Robert: It was long time coming, wasn’t it? But as they say â€?better late than never’
Have you heard Indian music? Which Indian musician do you admire?
Robert: I’ve heard Indian music and I love the sound and the feel of it. I think it’s very potent. I’ve grown up listening to a lot of stuff from Ravi Shankar, I used to be a huge admirer of the band â€?Shakti’, and I’ve also heard Zakhir Hussain play.
Tell us about your Big four series of concerts? Will India get a chance to witness the series?
Robert: We have started writing music, getting ready to record a new album and we also have to do our own shows. We are looking forward and are excited about it. In the world of Metallica anything is possible, may be next year something could come up, so I can’t really say about India getting a chance to witness the series, I would hope so. But it’s not on the charts right now.
Which are the other upcoming ventures?
Lars: We are working on our new record. Once everything is finalized we will make an announcement.
