Metallica’s James Hetfield Slams Dave Mustaine: ‘He’s in Love’

For years, Metallica and Megadeth have had a rather strained relationship. And for years, we never really heard much about it. Then, last March, Metallica were named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Megadeth's Dave Mustaine, who was one of Metallica's first guitarists, wasn't. That's when it seems as though both sides started taking their long-held animus public, trading barbs back and forth in the mainstream and metal press.

About a week ago, Metallica frontman James Hetfield stopped by the studios of Texas radio station 97.1 The Eagle, to discuss the band's current tour, and those pesky rumors that have his band touring with the rest of thrash's "Big Four," Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax. Of course, the inevitable Mustaine also question came up.

When asked how he deals with comments Mustaine makes in the media, including a recent claim that drummer Lars Ulrich was to be fired from the group back in 1986, Hetfield laughed.

"Exactly like I just reacted; you've gotta laugh at it," he says. "Dave is not in this band for a reason, and this is the reason. It's super-simple. He was in the band for 11 months and it goes on and on and on and on and on. I don't know any other band on this planet that, there was a member in the band for a short amount of time, and they've still got this big chip on his shoulder. It's insane! ...You know what? He's in love, and that's fine, 'cause we love him back."

Hetfield was then asked about why Mustaine was not inducted along with former members Jason Newsted and Cliff Burton when Metallica was welcomed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

"He's not inducted because he's not on any records; that's one of the Hall of Fame deals...The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is what it is," he says. "I think it's 25 years after your first record, you are eligible, so whoever's played on records is eligible. It's as simple as that."

Hetfield says he thinks a tour of the 'Big Four' would be "a good idea," but admits Metallica haven't taken any concrete steps to make it happen.

"Well, it's really up to everybody [to make it happen]," he says. "We don't know. It's one of these nostalgic ideas that pops up ... We don't know; we haven't really taken it any steps further ... You know what? Music transcends all kinds of B.S., so if it's something that feels right, then hopefully it could happen."