My prediction for Metallica's recording project

"I don't want to give too much away, but it's not really 100 percent a Metallica record. It's a recording project, let's put it that way."

So said Kirk Hammett about Metallica's next offering. Supposedly the music will be cranked out in the studio within two weeks.

The internet is lit up about what type of music Metallica is about to record, because after a return to form with Death Magnetic, I'm sure most fans are hoping that the band will dig deeper and get thrashier.

But with only two weeks scheduled for recording, are we gearing up for another Garage Days? I really, really doubt it.

I am going to make a prediction. If I'm wrong, I'll sit my butt down and admit it on this blog, but I have a feeling that I'm on the right path here.

Since Hammett claims that it is not a 100% Metallica record, I don't believe it will be either glory days thrash or a return to the alt-metal 90s flavor.

It will not be a progressive record with 20 riffs in each song, complete with off-time arrangements. With a two week schedule, I get the idea that the music will be simple and raw.

As I narrow it down, I firmly believe that the next record will be full-on heavy riff-rock, in the same ballpark as Karma to Burn.

Why?

The songs are relatively easy to write, raw as hell, and freaking fun to play. Also, this type of music is not foreign territory for Metallica. Listen to DM's instrumental Suicide & Redemption with your eyes closed - it freaking sounds like a Karma to Burn song (and a damn good one at that).

So there is my prediction for the secret Metallica recording project - stripped down versions of Suicide & Redemption.

Sure, I could be wrong. They could put out a cover album of Dr. Hook songs or some crazy Fantomas experimental stuff.

No matter what, color me interested.