Randy Blythe recently shared how touring with Metallica played a key role in his decision to get sober. During an interview with That Sober Guy Podcast, the Lamb of God frontman opened up about his struggles with addiction and the support he received from James Hetfield.
Blythe recalled reaching out to the Metallica members for help, admitting he couldn’t stop drinking. “We had been on tour for about two years off and on with [Metallica], doing Europe and the States. They had had a few words with me and I went to them, I’m like, ‘Help me, I need some support, please. I can’t stop drinking.’ They’re like, ‘You’re going to be okay man,’ and showed me some brotherly love.”
That night, he performed in front of 14,000 people while emotionally falling apart. “Then I went out on stage that night in front of 14,000 people and I was completely falling to pieces. I tell people my hair used to be long then and thank it was because I was weeping uncontrollably in between singing, and thank God we’re a heavy metal band cuz it’s just like and I’m like ‘Ahhh, say who gives a f*ck,’ screaming my lyrics.”
“Then I’m like, ‘Oh my God my life, what the f*ck happened? Where am I?’ Just falling to pieces in front of 14,000 people. That was my first day sober and that was my first show sober. I spent my whole first month of sobriety on tour surrounded by free drugs and alcohol,” he added.
Hetfield’s Influence
Blythe has been candid about his past struggles. In 2019, celebrating nine years of sobriety, he shared how Hetfield played a major role in his recovery. “I got sober while we were on tour with Metallica almost 9 years ago. The first day of that run, one of my crew guys came to me and said ‘Hey, Hetfield’s looking for you’- we had been touring with them in the States & Europe for over a year and I was just RAGING, especially in Europe, but inside I was MISERABLE.”
“He knew I had been trying to quit drinking, it wasn’t working for me anymore, & it all came to an end in Australia. A HUGE FACTOR in my willingness & ability to get sober while on f*cking heavy metal tour was the fact that I had James & some of his crew who were also sober to talk to – I didn’t have to do it alone.”
Blythe shared his thoughts on Metallica canceling their Australia and New Zealand tour so Hetfield could enter rehab. “James & crew babied me through my first month of sobriety out there on the road – it was a heavy trip. I couldn’t have done it without them. When I saw the news about James today, I hurt so bad inside for him, because he was there for me when I was in such bad shape- I know how dark it can get.”
“But it was also a very strong reminder for me of what I am, & what waits for me if I f*ck up & forget I am alcoholic. If you’re an alcoholic, NO ONE IS IMMUNE, no matter how long you have been sober. James is in the right place right now, though, & as he has gone there of his own volition, it sounds like to me he wants sobriety back- and that is the key to it all, you have to want it. So my thoughts & prayers are with him – I love that dude. He literally helped SAVE MY LIFE,” the frontman added.
Blythe, now 14 years sober, explores his journey in his upcoming book, ‘Just Beyond The Light: Making Peace With The Wars Inside Our Head.’ It’s set for release on February 18 via Grand Central Publishing.
