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Are you feeling good?" James Hetfield yells during a recent Metallica show. The crowd howls back. "We'll put an end to that," the singer-guitarist cracks. "We're here to make you feel better." Meet the new Hetfield: healthier, happier, expletive-free. "The profanity is not as important as I thought it was," Hetfield, 41, says backstage, noting one of the things he learned during his long, dark season with drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist Kirk Hammett. It's all in the documentary Some Kind of Monster: the band's two years in therapy while making 2003's St. Anger; Hetfield's eleven months in rehab; the arrival of new bassist Rob Trujillo. "Every day is a balancing act," says Hetfield. "But I feel stronger than ever about why I'm here."
Do you feel different on the road now?
Totally -- also scared that maybe this environment is not the best thing for me anymore. But the music's the main thing, instead of drinking and strip clubs [laughs]. And doing five shows a week for three months straight -- that's not going to happen anymore. If my throat was hurtin' and I couldn't perform my best, I would resent the others. I couldn't tell them, "Hey, this is too much." I'd look like the wimp.
Indestructibility is a big part of your aura.
I struggle with the intimidation factor: "He's unapproachable. He might explode at any point." I learned that from my dad. You never knew what was going on inside. It's a great tool -- to not have to talk with anyone or let them in on the craziness in my head. Because there's no way they would like me once they heard what I had in there. But after you get it out and diffuse your fears, you feel more comfortable.
Describe your post-Monster friendship with Lars.
It's not like we've laid down the weapons. We're both driven and can be very childish about it. We have control issues: I want to drive. He wants to drive. And there's only one steering wheel most of the time.
Would you recommend group therapy to other bands?
Two hours of session before going in to jam every day -- when Metallica do something, we do it all the way. I would recommend it for other bands if they think it would help. But if you think, "I don't need that crap," then you probably do.
Did you ever see the final bill?
The final bill? [Laughs] It was up there.
Next: Billie Joe Armstrong