News
Metallica Lars Ulrich New Doc, Streaming Music, and Band Memes
Jun
Metallica Lars Ulrich Enduring Legacy and Fan Connection
Metallica has always been more than just a band; they’re a cultural phenomenon. In 2004, their documentary “Some Kind of Monster” offered an unprecedented, raw look into the band’s internal struggles, unwittingly redefining the rock documentary genre. Now, nearly two decades later, a new film, Jonas Åkerlund’s “Metallica Saved My Life,” takes a different approach. Debuting on June 11 at the Tribeca Film Festival, this film celebrates the megafans who’ve found community and joy through Metallica’s heavy sound. Åkerlund, a long-time collaborator with the band since their ’90s music videos, is uniquely positioned to capture the band through the eyes of its devoted followers.
Lars Ulrich, Metallica’s outspoken drummer, recently sat down with Variety to discuss the band’s new generations of fans, the art of navigating rock star adulation, and his personal enjoyment of Metallica memes.
From Rock God to Regular Guy: Grounding the Rock Star Persona
When you’re part of one of the biggest metal bands in the world, how do you switch from “Rock God” mode on stage to “normal guy” off stage? Ulrich explains that there’s no single trick; it boils down to the unique personalities of the four band members. He emphasizes the “luck of the draw” and the band’s collective and individual DNA. “We’re all first and foremost music lovers,” Ulrich states, highlighting their continuous drive to create and innovate.
This mindset helps keep them grounded. They prioritize the band, maintaining a constant state of self-check and mutual accountability. Unlike many bands that burn out or splinter into solo careers, Metallica has chosen to stay together, valuing the collective experience of making music. “We love being in Metallica more than the alternatives,” Ulrich affirms, acknowledging the increasing effort required as they get older to ensure everyone’s needs are met. For them, the best is always yet to come – the best songs, the best albums, the best shows.
Embracing Risk: Curiosity and the Fear of Complacency
Metallica is no stranger to taking risks, from the polarizing sound of “The Black Album” to the revealing “Some Kind of Monster” documentary. Their dedicated fanbase has consistently followed them, even through radical shifts. Ulrich believes this isn’t a choice, but rather a fundamental part of their DNA: curiosity.
He describes a constant drive to explore new ideas and challenges, fueled by a deep-seated fear of complacency and stagnation. “The claustrophobia, ‘Oh my God, we’ve got to keep evolving. We’ve got to keep growing. We gotta keep trying different shit,'” he explains. This fear of autopilot and repetition pushes them into new creative endeavors, whether it’s films, collaborations with symphony orchestras, or experimenting with different producers.
Ulrich recalls the early days, when the acoustic guitars on “Fade to Black” from “Ride the Lightning” raised eyebrows among hard-rock purists. Even then, they established that they wouldn’t be boxed in or churn out the same record repeatedly. Their commitment to continuous evolution has been a defining characteristic.
The Evolving Fanbase: Surprising Trends and Diverse Connections
As new fans discover Metallica, are there any surprising trends in how they connect with the band’s extensive catalog? Ulrich points to the diversity and lack of a uniform answer. Gone are the days when fan answers were more synchronized. Now, through meet-and-greets and interactions, he finds that every fan has a unique story, a different album, or a specific song that resonates with them.
He observes a fascinating phenomenon: 13-year-olds bringing their parents to shows, and vice-versa. New fans are discovering the band through word-of-mouth, streaming platform algorithms, or even phenomena like “Stranger Things.” Ulrich recounts conversations with fans whose favorite songs are from newer albums like “72 Seasons” or “Death Magnetic,” sometimes not even knowing older classics like “For Whom the Bell Tolls” or “Ride the Lightning.” For a band with such a long history, this diverse engagement is “the beauty of it.”
“Darkness Imprisoning Me!”: Metallica and the World of Memes
With such an artistic and creative fanbase, it’s no surprise that Metallica memes are a common sight. Ulrich reveals that the band has a band-only text thread where they share some of the funniest ones. He recently sent the band a particularly humorous “Star Wars” meme that started with a conversation between Darth Vader that eventually led into the iconic “Darkness imprisoning me!” lyrics from “One.”
Ulrich expresses his appreciation for fans’ creativity, whether it’s reinterpreting their songs on instruments, singing them in different genres, or even mixing in a bit of AI for fun results. While it’s impossible to keep track of the hundreds or thousands of memes that pop up daily, some truly stand out and make it into their private group chat for the four members to enjoy.
Homepage: IconMetalMerch
