Metallica album coming in September?

A report on StereoWarning.com claims that "sources from the band's record label" have said that Metallica's new album has "been delayed again" to a September release. But a representative for the group's management told us that the disc has not been "delayed" since there "has never been an actual release date." As for when the record was likely to surface, the representative said, "It will be out when it's ready."

Metallica began working on its ninth studio album in 2006. Since then the group has taken its time to write and record the new disc, but drummer Lars Ulrich told us it isn't hard to stay inspired even 25 years into the band's career: [ Click to listen if you have a backstage pass] "I don't use the word 'career,' 'hunger,' I use more words like 'fun.' As long as we keep it fun for ourselves and keep it kind of manageable, the days of the word 'career' and the business and, I don't know, it just seems kind of part of the past. Now it's just about, like, having fun and wanting to do it. You know, as long as it doesn't turn into too much work, it's not hard to be inspired."

Metallica has been recording the new album with producer Rick Rubin after ending a 15-year collaboration with Bob Rock.

The new Metallica CD will follow up 2003's uninspiring St. Anger.

As late as last October, Ulrich said in interviews that he expected the new album to arrive in February of 2008.

Metallica has booked a number of European festival appearances starting in late May, although it has yet to schedule any North American dates.
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