The soloist and Alice In Chains guitarist shared the information throughout a brand new problem of Steel Hammer, through which he took questions from followers.
At one level within the interview, Cantrell was requested about his long-running friendship with the Metallica singer – specifically whether or not the 2 had ever contemplated working collectively on new materials.
“James and I’ve talked about it, type of,” he started. “We by no means had a proper dialog however I’ve jammed with him at Kirk’s [Hammett, Metallica guitarist] place. I’ve even spent an evening or two at his home, and we’ve ended up with guitars within the kitchen and on the porch.”
He continued: “It’s one thing I’d be actually inquisitive about – even to only write a track with him. As for whether or not it’d flip into one thing greater than that… he’s acquired a reasonably demanding day job. So I’d perceive if it by no means involves be.”
The 2 have been buddies for a variety of years now, and the newest interview with Steel Hammer is way from the primary through which Cantrell has shared his fondness for the Metallica singer.
Again in 2020, for example, he advised the outlet the the explanation why he considers Hetfield to be such a profitable main member. “What makes James such a terrific frontman is his bodily presence. No one else instructions the identical type of respect and a focus with out it being self-seeking or selfish,” he recalled.
“He’s all concerning the music; all concerning the enjoyable and the celebration and the reference to the followers. And that, to me, is de facto inspiring. Particularly as a result of he’s carried out this for therefore lengthy, and he’s been on the prime of his recreation for therefore lengthy and he continues to seek for a deeper that means. He took an underground factor and took it worldwide.”
He continued, sharing his appreciation for the band as an entire: “Metallica is a big factor for me and for any exhausting rock or steel band… Will he go down in historical past as a rock icon? He already has. He’s the godfather.”
The appreciation is mutual too, with Blabbermouth highlighting a previous interview with Hetfield, through which the singer, songwriter and guitarist shared his love of Alice In Chains.
“I wasn’t actually shut with Layne [Staley, singer], however I bear in mind going to see Alice In Chains many instances,” he advised Revolver when requested concerning the Seattle icons. “I bear in mind after we had been down in L.A. [in 1991, making ‘The Black Album’], I left the studio early to see them play on ‘Conflict Of The Titans’ with Slayer. I used to be driving like a madman on this rented van [saying:] ‘We gotta get there!’ And we get there, they usually’d simply acquired off. I used to be like, ‘Aw, man!’”
He continued: “I hung with them a little bit bit, at all times simply liked their music, and I’d say that Jerry and I share some life experiences, like getting a second likelihood at life and realizing how cool issues could be. So we’ve acquired type of a kinship that method.
“And seeing them play — I simply love listening to these songs. These songs are superior and needs to be heard, ? They had been so distinctive, so forward of their time. And out of all of the Seattle stuff, that stuff is probably the most timeless.”
The interview with Cantrell for Steel Hammer comes after the singer, songwriter and guitarist dropped his newest solo album ‘I Need Blood’ final yr. It marked his fourth report as a solo artist, and Cantrell now has a variety of competition slots lined up for 2025 – together with a set at Obtain.
Earlier than then, he teamed up with Weapons N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan to collaborate on the latter’s 2023 solo album ‘Lighthouse’.
As for Metallica, the band have just lately wrapped up their large ‘M72’ world tour, celebrating the discharge of their newest album ‘72 Seasons’. Since then, they’ve performed two units stuffed with hits, deep cuts and a few surprising covers throughout their annual Serving to Arms profit present.
