
In the fall of 2019, the frontman admitted himself to a rehab center, and by the time he was out and the band was ready to hit the road again, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. While he's been sober for nine years, and says that everything in his life has improved as a result of his sobriety, Hetfield's struggles have been a bit more recent. Some of the darkness Hammett was referring to is likely related to issues with substances. It’s actually a scary place and a place that’s super challenging and dark." We connect in a place that is not comfortable. "So, we have this weird emotional connection.


"When it comes to James and I, mentally, we’re both challenged and sometimes we’re challenged in a similar way," Hammett said.
