Lars Ulrich: a new Metallica album is in the 'fourth inning'

As they gear up for a run of summer festivals in Europe, Metallica is also putting together material for a new LP.

"We're going through the grind," says drummer Lars Ulrich. "We're in there doing riffs and putting them into songs. We don't really write one song and then show up the next day and do another one. We just work on riffs and sections, connecting riffs and tempos and moods."

"We've been doing this, off and on, for the better part of a year," he says. "We're going to do these dates this summer and then really hone down. I'd say that right now, we're in the fourth inning. We haven't started recording yet. But we are deep into the songwriting part of it."

So, there is no deadline for the new album, but there will be one for sure. It's been nearly six years since the band last released a studio album, so this is very good news for all the fans.