Al Jourgensen has responded to James Hetfield’s statement that Metallica will not use their platform for political influence, saying he respects the band’s decision to do what feels right for them. Jourgensen shared his thoughts on Consequence.
Hetfield had said during the Sphere show that Metallica is not there to influence audiences with political messaging. Jourgensen addressed this stance while also expressing broader concerns about how fear affects artists and their willingness to speak out.
“My thoughts are each artist should do what feels comfortable for them, whether it’s Metallica taking a neutral stance, although they’ve taken stances before, but now they’re in a phase where they wanna do that,” Jourgensen said. “I think that the artist should be comfortable in what they’re doing.”
He went on to clarify that he is not attacking the band for their choice. “I’m not gonna be one of these people that are gonna be piling on Metallica, like, saying, ‘Well, you, you have to take a stand right now.’ It’s, like, do what you feel comfortable doing. But I would like it so people would feel more comfortable taking a stand without having to realize that your words are alienating half of the populace.”
Jourgensen then turned his focus to what he sees as a broader problem. “What are they worried about? More royalties? I mean, they’ve made a lot of money. So what are they worried about? That’s my only thing, and that’s this climate of fear that we have going on between media and government, in cahoots of silencing artists, which are actually some of the best minds because they live outside society, and they’re able to view society with a different lens.”
He added that while he has not been silenced himself, he recognizes his position is different from most artists. “We’re being silenced. I’m not silenced. But on the other hand, I don’t give a shit. I made enough money, not Metallica money, but I made enough money that I never thought I’d be here 45 years later. So, I can still speak my piece.”
Jourgensen made these comments in response to Hetfield’s recent remarks about the band’s approach to their platform.
Hetfield’s position on keeping politics out of Metallica’s music is not new. During the 2016 BBC interview, the frontman explained that Metallica intentionally avoids topics that could divide its fan base. His recent comments at the Sphere continue a long-standing view about the band’s relationship with their platform.
The band made history in October 2026 when they became the first heavy metal act to headline the Sphere, the high-tech Las Vegas venue where they are performing a residency through March 13, 2027. The residency includes 24 shows with different set lists on Thursday and Saturday performances.
Jourgensen has never avoided political messaging in his own work. His latest albums, AmeriKKKant and HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, feature outspoken commentary on social and political issues. Unlike Hetfield’s approach, Jourgensen has remained vocal about his views throughout his career in industrial music. His final performance is planned for October 30, 2027, in Los Angeles, after which he plans to retire from music.
