Metallica Completes (Secret) New Album With Lou Reed For 2011 Release

We told you a while back about Kirk Hammett spilling the beans on Metallica's "secret recording project" that's "not really 100% a Metallica record". The band is now finished with that project and unveiled that it's a collaboration album they recorded with classic rock icon Lou Reed.

When we first reported on this "secret recording project", I assumed that Kirk was hinting at a cover album because:

A) He said it was only going to take a few weeks.
B) That would definitely qualify as not 100% a Metallica record.

After that the band gave Kirk the gag order because he revealed a bit too much too early, he was also "punished with a series of push-ups". No wonder we didn't hear anything else about this until now.

I don't think anyone could've guessed that the band was recording a collaboration record with Lou Reed. Metallica unveiled via their website that after working with Lou at the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert in 2009, they had been kicking around the idea of working together. Over the past few months they have recorded and finished 10 songs in what Metallica calls "lightning speed for a Metallica related project".

The band said they have no idea when the material will surface but they are excited that it is finished and that they can finally talk about it. Metallica also shed some light on why they chose to work with Lou saying he is:

"A true innovator and easily one of the most influential songwriters, musicians, and performers in rock music history, Lou's work with the Velvet Underground and as a solo artist has such an enduring quality that he has long been revered and respected by us and many of our peers. We can't wait for you to listen to the finished record, so as we like to hear ourselves say around here, keep watching this spot for updates . . . we'll be back with more details as they come together."