Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich says the band have written close to 20 songs for the follow-up to 2008’s “Death Magenetic.”
"We are in it," Ulrich tells Rolling Stone. "We've got lots of songs, and we're honing them and tweaking them. It's pretty close."
"The creative elements are getting close to being done," he continues. "Just remember, this is still 'Metallica time.' When I say we're close to being done, it means the next month or so.
“There's a lot of stuff going on as life continues with family and personal events.... But we are certainly down there writing pretty much every day."
While the band has yet to choose a producer for the project, Ulrich reveals the group are likely to debut some of the new material during their 2015 live shows.
"I hope so. Absolutely," says the drummer.
Metallica return to live action on May 9 at the inaugural Rock In Rio USA festival in Las Vegas, following which they head to Europe for summer festival season.
See also:
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Metallica to headline Rock In Rio
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