Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich recently opened up about the band’s private communication habits. He shared the details about their exclusive group chat in a recent interview with Variety.
During the interview, Ulrich was questioned about whether the band members share fan-created Metallica memes. This prompted him to discuss their internal communication methods.
“We have a band-only text thread that’s just for the four members, and there are definitely some fun things that we see in this day and age with everybody being so creative,” Ulrich said.
The drummer went on to share a specific example of content that recently made its way into their private chat.
“There was this ‘Star Wars’ one going around a week or two ago which was really funny,” he continued. “There are some conversations between Darth Vader and a whole thing that builds up, and then they’re talking about the dark side. Then all of a sudden it goes into ‘Darkness imprisoning me!’ — that whole thing from ‘One.’ I think it had its origins on TikTok.”
Ulrich expressed the band’s appreciation for fan creativity. He also acknowledged the challenges of maintaining the volume of fan-generated content.
“We love people’s creativity, and to see so many fans reinterpret our songs, whether it’s on guitar or drums or singing them and obviously taking them into different genres,” he said.
“Sometimes you mix a little AI in there and then something fun spits out. It’s a lot to keep track of because this happens hundreds, if not thousands, of times a day. But there are some fun ones that get into our band-only text thread for the four of us to enjoy and appreciate.”
The comments were made during promotion of the new documentary “Metallica Saved My Life.”
This openness to fan creativity and improved communication reflects a significant evolution in Metallica’s internal dynamics over the decades.
The band’s current collaborative approach is a significant change from their earlier years when communication issues nearly caused them to break apart. According to Sparks Group, Metallica turned to performance coaches to enhance their teamwork and communication skills. Ulrich has shared how beneficial this approach has been, emphasizing that the band now prioritizes their relationships over creative disagreements.
“We realize now that there’s nothing creatively or nothing practically that’s worth damaging that relationship over. And — dare I use the word — empathy shows up occasionally in this band now,” Ulrich said in discussing their improved dynamics.
