Metallica frontman James Hetfield has unveiled a new tattoo which celebrates his new straight edge lifestyle.

The 46-year-old former alcoholic has the initial 'X' inked on his right wrist which he claims signifies being clean.

Speaking to official Metallica fan club magazine So What!, Hetfield said: “Well, straight edge, this was certainly a design of my own.

“You know, the old straight-edge tattoo, it's just like a big X on your hand. No drinking, and I don't drink. It's like when you go into the clubs, they put and X on your hand.”

He added: “I don't need drink or drugs. That's straight-edge life. Obviously I'm not straight edge — a true, hardcore straight-edge has never had any of it in her or her whole life. But I'm a reborn straight-edge.

“There's some hardcore people that are straight edge from birth. So this was my take on the straight-edge X, you know? Straight razors. A straight edge is what that was all about.”

Hetfield already has an 'M' tattoo on his right hand which stands for Metallica and 'F' on his left hand which stands for 'Family'.

(by Scott Colothan)