Metallica drummers Lars Ulrich has warned that fans may face a long wait before the band release another studio album.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Ulrich said he was still hadn't overcome the pressure of recording their latest album 'Death Magnetic', which was released in September.

“I wouldn’t hold my breath for another Metallica record. I’m still decompressing and coming down from the whole experience of the last one, but if we spit one out every four or five years that’s not so bad,” he said.

'Death Magnetic' was the group's first studio album since 2003's 'St Anger' and the last of their current record deal with Warner Bros.

Asked about how Metallica may release albums in the future, Ulrich replied: “We have that element of complete freedom with the next record, so we can do whatever we want.

“We could do an Internet thing or even put it on Andy Greene’s record label.”

Metallica are currently on a three month North American tour in support of 'Death Magnetic'.

(by Jason Gregory)