Lou Reed and Metallica record album together
(CBS) Lou Reed and Metallica. Sound like a marriage made in heaven? That's what Reed tells Rolling Stone about his collaboration with the thrash-metal giants.
The monotone Reed and loud, speedy Metallica have recorded a studio album quickly in Metallica's home studio north of San Francisco. There are 10 songs written by Reed with arrangements by Metallica. Rolling Stone describes the record as a cross between Reed's "Berlin" and Metallica's "Master of Puppets," whatever that means.
Metallica and Reed played together at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th anniversary in 2009. Reed tells Rolling Stone, "We knew from then that we were made for each other."
While the idea may sound a odd on paper, Reed and Metallica have made some unforeseen music choices in the past, so this partnership probably shouldn't surprise. Reed, at the height of his powers as a solo artist in the 1970s, put out the ultra-bizarre double album "Metal Machine Music," which consists entirely of guitar feedback.
Metallica, after the furious speed of "...And Justice for All" in 1988 released the slower, slicker, radio-friendly "Metallica" in 1991 and became bona fide popular music stars. Then in 2003, the group released "St. Anger," a dark, angry, ugly and fast record that alienated fans much the same way Reed's "Metal Machine Music" did in 1975.
Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich tells Rolling Stone the record is 90 percent done. Neither Reed nor Metallica have record deals, so what happens with the album is likely up to its creators.