Metallica are considering whether to follow in the footsteps of Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails by self releasing material once their record contract expires.

The rock titans’ drummer Lars Ulrich told Rolling Stone that he would hate to go the way of Madonna and U2 by signing lucrative contracts with Live Nation. Instead, he said the band would like to keep things in their own hands.

Asked about signing a ‘360 deal’ like Madonna, Ulrich said: "We've never sold ourselves that way. No disrespect. We want to be as free a player as possible. We've been observing Radiohead and Trent Reznor and in 27 years or however long it takes for the next record, we'll be looking forward to everything in terms of possibilities with the Internet."

Despite this, Ulrich admits he’d be sad to see the traditional record shop disappear, adding: "The record store has been such a huge part of our lives. When I was 12, 14 years old in Denmark, the record store was the Holy Grail and the guy who worked there was my hero."

Metallica’s upcoming ninth studio album will be their final one to be released through Warner Bros. It’s set for release this autumn.

(by Scott Colothan)