No therapist needed on Metallica album

Metallica are currently writing music for their ninth studio album, but unlike 2003's St. Anger, the group does not have a therapist along for the ride this time. While in New York last week to induct Black Sabbath into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, drummer Lars Ulrich said that work on the new album has been going very smoothly:
[ click here to listen if you have a Backstage Pass] "We've been working on the new record for the last three months and it's been, I would say, probably the best experience we've had writing in as long as I can remember. Everybody's getting along, everybody's real respectful and mellow, and, you know, it started off by us playing a couple of shows with the Stones in November out in San Francisco and since then, we've just been on such a great roll, no therapist needed."

Metalica nearly broke up while making St. Anger and hired a sports team therapist to coach the band back together, which was documented in the movie Metalica: Some Kind Of Monster.

The band is in South Africa this week to headline a massive three-date music festival, marking the quartet's first appearance ever in that nation.

The group will also play some European and Japanese gigs this summer. No U.S. shows are planned.

Metallica will enter the studio sometime this spring or summer to begin recording its new album with producer Rick Rubin. A late 2006 or early 2007 release is likely.