EXCLUSIVE FULL Interview with James Hetfield on his tattoos

An interview with James Hetfield about his tattoos.

Jack Rudy is an American tattoo artist notable for his reinvention of the 'Black and Gray' style of tattooing, realistic portraits, and single-needle use. He is considered to be one of the top tattoo artists in the world.

James Alan Hetfield (born August 3, 1963) is the rhythm guitarist, co-founder, main songwriter, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Metallica. Hetfield co-founded Metallica in October 1981 after answering a classified advertisement by drummer Lars Ulrich in the Los Angeles newspaper The Recycler, searching for band members. Since then, Metallica has won nine Grammy Awards and released nine studio albums, three live albums, four extended plays, 24 singles. In 2009, Hetfield was ranked number 8 in Joel McIver's book The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists,[1] and ranked twenty-fourth by Hit Parader on their list of the 100 Greatest Metal Vocalists of All Time.

A tattoo is made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Tattoos on humans are a type of body modification, and tattoos on animals are most commonly used for identification purposes. The first written reference to the word, "tattoo" (or Samoan "Tatau") appears in the journal of Joseph Banks, the naturalist aboard Captain Cook's ship the HMS Endeavour in 1769: "I shall now mention the way they mark themselves indelibly, each of them is so marked by their humor or disposition".

Interviewer - "So the cross tattoo just where your shirt opens, that is more a metal symbol then a religious symbol?"

James - "Well I like symbolism. I've always loved symbolism. I came up with the damn logo, you know, that ninja star, I've always loved the association with things, and this represents a family. You know, I don't know, there's something about. I've always. You know if I wasn't playing music I'd be doing, you know graphic design or something. And I get to do both which is awesome, and so... Symbolism is pretty big for me, and the cross for me represents balance and connection with a higher power, and you know, it can mean many things for everybody else, but tattoo wise I have St. Michael, which to me, that's pretty huge. Facing your demons and I love those stories. I love some of the religious stories because whether they are real or not they are awesome inspiring stories."

carpe diem baby, lord angel.. temptation, Donum dei (latin)

[dandunning]

One of my life dreams is to hug James and tell him how much he has helped me through the tough times in my life. He's truly been an inspiration to me and I will never be able to thank him for all he's done.

[abelstrd]

The tattoo he had in respect to Cliff in my opinion, is pretty badass!

[mrschaef]

Everyone's freaking out about the eye, but holy shit the Orion bassline... that is so meaningful. Witnessing the death of your best friend would be so horrific. But Cliff lives on

[metallicrazy]

that is SO cool. his tribute to cliff and the bass part on his arm. amazing!

[stringermadness]

James is someone I have looked up too since I was 12 years old. I didn't have a Dad around, in fact, I didn't meet my Dad until later in life. Metallica was my Family. James inspired me to play guitar, he doesn't know it, but he was a great role model for us mislead

[katn]

But is no one here going to talk about the tattoo for cliff? Because that is the coolest thing ever man.

[ehead]

Such a touching video. What better way to pay tribute to someone who meant so much, to have a unique part of their personality or creative and inspirational work tattooed across their arm - Cliff's Orion bass line. That's really sweet :)

[utuber]

How cool is James Hetfield?, You listen to him and uncover it all and it's really about a guy who made it through many confusing, anger filled, bitter, misled times.
The music was just his expression, his way of battling through or as he
says- pulled through the flames into the arms of an angel from a benevolent, understanding, caring God. Hetfield's tattoos are all about his gratitude for
the gifts God has given him, as well as, people and family that he cares about.

[jlarsena]

His higher power tat looks like the all seeing eye.

[MrMrrazze]

He has tattooed an 'M ´81' on his right hand which stands for "Metallica 1981" and 'F' on his left hand which stands for "Francesca''

[sillyskeleton]

Wow, these comments... So much nonsense over a little tattoo.

[Nathalieduran]

A lot of things talk about the "angel of music" including in the Phantom of the Opera, and it was a dark angel which confused you with its virtuoso and genius music to act like it was light but it was really dark..and if you see in the Bile it says that Lucifer was the conductors of all music, composed the music with his talent given By God in heaven. and he was a fallen angel that got kicked out with lot of other angels which he also talks about in the song Atlas Rise... and it sounds like he talks about the angel of music making him do his "dirty work" in Sad but True and the rest of the lyrics said it. He also never mentions God he always just says "my higher power" even when the interviewer mentions straight up God...etc... Idk but when I put 2 and 2 together, it makes sense and I don't like it :(

[farhangemamifar]

James all the things you gained from Moloch are not gonna last. And I wanna tell you it's not late my man. You can come back.

[Brianna]

I agreed if we're talking physical appearance, but those tattoos mean something special to him, and if they make him happy and a better person, then they're beautiful.

[MickDRangerX]

Regardless of James' religious affiliation I choose to appreciate good music when I hear it. Sure, I was raised a pastor's kid, am not religious, but spiritual. I DO consider myself a Christian, but realize that Jesus hated religion and couldn't stand when people chastised others on their beliefs. That said, I can still appreciate music from bands that even are outright Atheist. As long as their music isn't trying to cram their own beliefs down everyone's throat, I just don't care. A good person is a good person and good music is good music. If I want to hear a sermon I will go to church or a Bible study, not turn on the radio or watch music videos, etc. These are just my personal opinions, though, and we are all entitled to them even though they may differ from someone else's.

[perpetualmotion]

Been a fan of the band forever. Hetfield is definitely a Freemason, or at least a few are. There is a giant Metallica banner hanging on one of the walls where they practice with one of their skull type of designs underneath the logo and it just happens to be wearing a Freemasonry bib. That's not a coincidence.

[RaiderRectify]

discussing religion in the comments section of a video where one of the thrash metal originals james hetfield is discussing his tattoos. iv seen everything

[Zacx]

Hell of a Youtube description if you ask me...

[melgibsonfan]

Wait, the All Seeing Eye is his higher power?

[andrewam]

but how do you know that for sure? i felt worried because this symbol looks like illuminaty