James Hetfield's remarks on politics at concerts split Metallica fans

James Hetfield's comments on music and politics have angered and disappointed part of Metallica's fanbase, according to OndaRock. The frontman spoke from the stage at the band's 10 October show at the Sphere in Las Vegas, where Metallica are playing a residency set to run until March.

Hetfield first thanked the crowd for the travel, money and time it took to get to the show. After a short pause, he said Metallica were not there, like other entertainers, to influence the audience, but so people could forget the troubles of the outside world. The band's agenda, he added, is "love, energy and heavy music". Some fans took it as a simple invitation to enjoy the music; others found it unacceptable from a band whose songs have dealt with war, violence and abuse of power.

The mention of "other entertainers" was read as a dig at artists who speak out on political and social issues, from Macklemore and Springsteen to Massive Attack and Kneecap, although Hetfield named no one and did not mention Gaza or Palestine. In July 2025 Metallica had a US Department of Defense social media video removed after it used "Enter Sandman" without permission.

Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx took a similar line in a video shared on X, saying the band does not care about its audience's political views.

Metallica formed in Los Angeles in 1981 and are one of America's best-known heavy metal bands; their newest studio album is "72 Seasons" (2023). The Sphere residency, titled "Life Burns Faster", opened on 1 October.