Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett has revealed that the band plan to enter the studio in May to begin work on a “recording project”.

Hammett remained tight lipped on what the group were planning, but said it was unlikely to be a full album follow-up to 2008's 'Death Magnetic'.

“I don't want to give too much away, but it's not really 100 percent a Metallica record,” he told Rolling Stone.

“It's a recording project, let's put it that way. Without getting too deep into it, it's more a recording project than a bona fide Metallica album.

“Whether or not we can pull it off in just two weeks remains to be seen."

Hammett's comments are likely to ignite speculation of a possible collaboration with the rest of the Big Four – Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax – who Metallica will perform with at festivals this summer.

(by Jason Gregory)