Anthrax Guitarist Claims Metallica Nearly Fired Lars Ulrich

Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian has claimed that Metallica nearly fired drummer Lars Ulrich.

The intended dismissal occurred in 1986, however when original bassist Cliff Burton died in a bus accident, the band decided to keep Ulrich on.

Speaking to Blabbermouth, Ian said; “The story was that they had made a plan that they were gonna make a change and get a new drummer. We were all kind of blown away by that, because it was the four of them. It was just, like, ‘Wow! Really?’ And they were, like, ‘Yeah. When we finish this tour, we’re gonna find a new drummer.'”

“Obviously, history turned out differently for Metallica and they went on to become, arguably, one of the biggest bands on the planet. So I’m just glad it all… obviously it all worked out for my friends,” he concluded.

Ulrich has been a founder member of Metallica since they formed in 1981.

Meanwhile, the drummer recently said that he was “immensely inspired” by U2’s recent decision to put ‘Songs Of Innocence’ out for free via iTunes.

On the subject of the album’s unique release method, Ulrich said: “It’s 2014 and anybody who thinks outside the box, or attempts in any way, shape or form, to break the status quo in the world of music, should be applauded. To me, it’s not about whether the endeavour is a success or not. It’s the fact that they have the balls and the foresight to throw something this radical at us.”