Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett has revealed that he was ready to record a solo album following the tension that arose when the band recorded their last album, 'St Anger'.

Hammett told Rolling Stone that he had solo material waiting to be recorded but was drawn back by a need to be in the band.

It has been well documented that recording sessions for 'St Anger', which was released in 2003, were among some of the band's most fractious - and were halted at one point so frontman James Hetfield could enter rehab.

Speaking about the his experience in the studio, Hammett said: “Honestly, I was ready to start working on a solo album.

“I had a bunch of music I was sitting on. I was going to ask Lars [Ulrich, Metallica's drummer] to play drums on it.”

Asked if he needed to be in the band, Hammett added: “It's really important. I've been in the band longer than I haven't been.

"I joined the band when I was 20 years old. I've been in the band now 25 years."

Metallica are currently number one in the UK and US with their ninth studio album 'Death Magnetic'.

(by Jason Gregory)