Jerry Cantrell Opens up About Potential Writing Collaboration With James Hetfield

If you are entrenched in hard and heavy metal rock, you know Alice In Chains and Metallica are two of the premier bands. Both bands have ruled the genre ever since their founding and have successfully stayed atop the metal pyramid for as long as anyone can remember. That being so, everyone has seemingly been dying for a collaboration.

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In an interview with Metal Hammer, Alice In Chains guitarist/vocalist, Jerry Cantrell, was asked about a potential collaboration between him and Metallica’s James Hetfield. He replied, “James and I have talked about it, kind of. We never had a formal conversation but I’ve jammed with him at Kirk’s [Hammett, METALLICA guitarist] place.” “I’ve even spent a night or two at his house, and we’ve ended up with guitars in the kitchen and on the porch. It’s something I’d be really curious about, even to just write a song with him,” added Cantrell.

Despite the relationship the two share, it doesn’t seem promising that the collaboration would result in anything more than a song. Jerry Cantrell stated, “As for whether it’d turn into something more than that, he’s got a pretty demanding day job. Ha ha! So I’d understand if it never comes to be.” Album, song, or whatever, a collaboration between these heavyweights is still the collaboration of a lifetime.

Jerry Cantrell’s Unwavering Affinity for James Hetfield

The affinity between the two is not a new phenomenon. Rather, Hetfield and Cantrell have enjoyed each other’s music for quite some time now. In 2020, Cantrell told Metal Hammer, “What makes James such a great frontman is his physical presence” and “Nobody else commands the same kind of respect and attention without it being self-seeking or egocentric.”

Jerry Cantrell’s love is not one-sided, as James Hetfield has also opened up about Cantrell and Alice In Chains. Hetfield told Revolver, “I wasn’t really close with Layne, but I remember going to see ALICE IN CHAINS many times.” Hetfield added, “I hung with them a little bit, always just loved their music, and I’d say that Jerry and I share some life experiences.”

Per these two comments, it seems the two have the foundation for a collaboration. However, as of now, the collaboration is a mere idea. That being so, you metal fans need to keep your ears and eyes open.

Alice in Chains Soundwave Festival Royal Melbourne Show Grounds per Getty Images