Metallica's James Hetfield remembers bassist Cliff Burton

Metallica frontman James Hetfield reminisced about late bassist Cliff Burton to Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter on the occasion of a "memorial day" held in Burton's honor on September 30th in the Swedish town of Ljungby. Burton was killed near the town just over 20 years ago, on September 27th, 1986, when the band's tour bus flipped over. Hetfield said that Burton's contribution to Metallica was still being felt two decades later, explaining, "We never would have written guitar harmonies or instrumentals or songs with very intricate melodies and orchestrations without Cliff. We wouldn't be where we are today."

Hetfield also said that he thinks Burton would approve of the band's musical evolution over the years, adding, "And now, especially with our new bassist Rob (Trujillo) playing so powerful and with his fingers just like Cliff, I have a feeling that he likes what we're doing."

A group of Swedish fans recently erected a memorial stone near the spot where Burton was killed. Hetfield called the bassist "one of the icons that won't be forgotten."

Metallica is currently working with producer Rick Rubin on its ninth studio album, which is planned for release in 2007.
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