“Life things” kept Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett from contributing to the writing of the band’s current album, Hardwired…to Self-Destruct.
Frontman James Hetfield revealed it on the British radio station Planet Rock. He said those things kept Hammett out of the studio for much of the recording, but wouldn’t say more. He left that up to Hammett, who wasn’t with him.
Hetfield was asked about Hammett’s claim in an interview last year that he’d lost a phone that was packed with riffs he’d recorded for the album. He laughed and said, “That’s what he tells us, so I take that as the truth.” He explained that Hammett did eventually submit some riffs, but wasn’t in the studio enough to weigh in on what Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich ultimately chose, something he’s done in the past. (Blabbermouth.net)