Alice In Chains’ Jerry Cantrell has revealed that he and Metallica frontman James Hetfield have briefly discussed making music together.
The soloist and Alice In Chains guitarist shared the news during a new issue of Metal Hammer, in which he took questions from fans.
At one point in the interview, Cantrell was asked about his long-running friendship with the Metallica singer – namely whether the two had ever contemplated working together on new material.
“James and I have talked about it, kind of,” he began. “We never had a formal conversation but I’ve jammed with him at Kirk’s [Hammett, Metallica guitarist] place. I’ve even spent a night or two at his house, and we’ve ended up with guitars in the kitchen and on the porch.”
He continued: “It’s something I’d be really curious about – even to just write a song with him. As for whether it’d turn into something more than that… he’s got a pretty demanding day job. So I’d understand if it never comes to be.”
The two have been friends for a number of years now, and the latest interview with Metal Hammer is far from the first in which Cantrell has shared his fondness for the Metallica singer.
Back in 2020, for instance, he told the outlet the reasons why he considers Hetfield to be such a successful leading member. “What makes James such a great frontman is his physical presence. Nobody else commands the same kind of respect and attention without it being self-seeking or egocentric,” he recalled.
“He’s all about the music; all about the fun and the celebration and the connection with the fans. And that, to me, is really inspiring. Especially because he’s done this for so long, and he’s been at the top of his game for so long and he continues to search for a deeper meaning. He took an underground thing and took it worldwide.”
He continued, sharing his appreciation for the band as a whole: “Metallica is a huge thing for me and for any hard rock or metal band… Will he go down in history as a rock icon? He already has. He’s the godfather.”
The appreciation is mutual too, with Blabbermouth highlighting a past interview with Hetfield, in which the singer, songwriter and guitarist shared his love of Alice In Chains.
“I wasn’t really close with Layne [Staley, singer], but I remember going to see Alice In Chains many times,” he told Revolver when asked about the Seattle icons. “I remember when we were down in L.A. [in 1991, making ‘The Black Album’], I left the studio early to see them play on ‘Clash Of The Titans’ with Slayer. I was driving like a madman in this rented van [saying:] ‘We gotta get there!’ And we get there, and they’d just got off. I was like, ‘Aw, man!’”
He continued: “I hung with them a little bit, always just loved their music, and I’d say that Jerry and I share some life experiences, like getting a second chance at life and realizing how cool things can be. So we’ve got kind of a kinship that way.
“And seeing them play — I just love hearing those songs. Those songs are awesome and should be heard, you know? They were so unique, so ahead of their time. And out of all the Seattle stuff, that stuff is the most timeless.”
The interview with Cantrell for Metal Hammer comes after the singer, songwriter and guitarist dropped his latest solo album ‘I Want Blood’ last year. It marked his fourth record as a solo artist, and Cantrell now has a number of festival slots lined up for 2025 – including a set at Download.
Before then, he teamed up with Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan to collaborate on the latter’s 2023 solo album ‘Lighthouse’.
As for Metallica, the band have recently wrapped up their huge ‘M72’ world tour, celebrating the release of their latest album ‘72 Seasons’. Since then, they’ve played two sets full of hits, deep cuts and some unexpected covers during their annual Helping Hands benefit show.
