“Leaving METALLICA Is Not An Option” Says KIRK HAMMETT

“I do not imagine in retirement. Retirement is one thing that is been pressured onto individuals; I do not imagine musicians are allowed to retire,” Kirk Hammett informed Metal Hammer of their latest print problem.

And that is comprehensible given his outlook on his profession and the truth that “taking part in music is a present, a blessing and a privilege. I like what I do and it is magic. It helps individuals.” And Hammett looks like he “cannot stroll away from that.”

Having joined the band over 40 years in the past, the query of retirement feels solely pure. Hammett is creeping up on what would normally be retirement age – he is 62 – however that is not stopping him: “Leaving Metallica just isn’t an possibility,” Hammett mentioned when additionally chatting with the The Telegraph, as a result of he is nonetheless fired up.

And when speaking to Rolling Stone this previous March, he addressed the question about his age creeping in direction of that of retirement, and he merely brushed it off: “I am 62 years outdated, and a variety of artists, once they’re 62 years outdated, they’re winding issues down. I really feel like I am nonetheless climbing the summit. Have not reached the highest of the mountain but. Have not reached the capstone of the pyramid. Nonetheless going up, man. I nonetheless really feel like I am enhancing and I nonetheless have a variety of inventive momentum and vitality in me.

And that was clearly evident when Hammett confirmed that he had “767 new [riffs] for the following [Metallica] album,” however that he did not “foresee [them] beginning the following album for not less than one other yr,” attributable to their present touring commitments in 2026.

With a fairly intensive European and UK tour in 2026 on the books, alongside Australia and Zealand dates in 2025, you’ll be able to take a look at Metallica‘s schedule beneath, and discover tickets right here.

2025
June twentieth – Santa Clara, CA @ Levi’s Stadium (w/ Limp Bizkit & Ice 9 Kills)
June twenty second – Santa Clara, CA @ Levi’s Stadium (w/ Pantera & Suicidal Tendencies)
June twenty seventh – Denver, CO @ Empower Subject at Mile Excessive (w/ Limp Bizkit & Ice 9 Kills)
June twenty ninth – Denver, CO @ Empower Subject at Mile Excessive (w/ Pantera & Suicidal Tendencies)
July fifth – Birmingham, England @ Villa Park
November 1st – Perth, Australia @ Optus Stadium
November fifth – Adelaide, Australia @ Adelaide Oval
November eighth – Melbourne, Australia @ Marvel Stadium
November twelfth – Brisbane, Australia @ Suncorp Stadium
November fifteenth – Sydney, Australia @ Accor Stadium
November nineteenth – Auckland, New Zealand @ Eden Park
December third – Sakhir, Bahrain @ Beyon Al Dana Amphitheatre
December sixth – Abu Dhabi, UAE @ Yas Island – Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix

2026
Could ninth – Athens, Greece @ Olympic Stadium^
Could thirteenth – Bucharest, Romania @ Area Națională
Could nineteenth – Chorzów, Poland @ Stadion Śląski
Could 22th – Frankfurt, Germany @ Deutsche Financial institution Park^
Could twenty fourth – Frankfurt, Germany @ Deutsche Financial institution Park°
Could twenty seventh – Zurich, Switzerland @ Stadion Letzigrund^
Could thirtieth – Berlin, Germany @ Olympiastadion^
Jun third – Bologna, Italy @ Stadio Renato Dall’Ara^
Jun eleventh – Budapest, Hungary @ Puskas Area°
Jun thirteenth – Budapest, Hungary @ Puskas Area^
Jun nineteenth – Dublin, Eire @ Aviva Stadium°
Jun 21th – Dublin, Eire @ Aviva Stadium^
Jun twenty fifth – Glasgow, Scotland @ Hampden Park^
Jun twenty eighth – Cardiff, England @ Principality Stadium^
Jul third – London, England @ London Stadium^
Jul 05th – London, England @ London Stadium UK°

^ Gojira and Knocked Unfastened assist
° Pantera and Avatar assist