A different Metallica on new record

WHEN it comes to singalongs, it's not unusual for a concert crowd to drown out the lead singer of a band. But when Danish fans of Metallica struggled to hear James Hetfield at the Copenhagen show last week, it was because the frontman of the heavy metal legends was actually losing his voice on stage.

Midway through the set, he asked the audience if they wanted him to continue, and when they roared their approval, the band played on even though Hetfield was exceptionally raspy by the end of the show.

Doctors ordered a complete rest and Metallica was forced to postpone last weekend's show at the eleventh hour. It's a reality check for the rock titans whose members are all in their 50s as the physical strain of their gruelling world tours and punishing two-hour-plus gigs starts to take its toll and wear the members down.