I got to hang out with Lars and James for a day at their studio a few years back in San Rafael. You would never know it was there because the building looks like an industrial warehouse in a non-descript part of town. Metallica had rented a portable rock wall that my buddy owned as a side business. Apparently Lars is into climbing with his kids. I got to harness up James and he climbed to the top and did this whole kamikaze thing off the wall on the way down. I was bummed to not meet Kirk or Rob. I learned that their tour manager is from Monroe MI, same place I grew up. They were all easy going. And man, I fucking love an album full of 6+ minute rock songs.