Metallica are going to release a song with Ja Rule, due In May

NEW YORK (Metallica.com) - While Metallica aren't gonna turn all rap-metal on your ass, they are going to release a song with hotshot rapper Ja Rule.
"We Did It Again" will come out May 14 on Ghetto Stories, a hip-hop compilation by Ruff Ryders producer Swizz Beatz. The Metallica track will be the only mega-rock tune on the album, which will also feature Ronald Isley, Shyne and others.

On the track, the hitmaking MC (see "J. Lo Teams With Ja Rule Again For Remix Disc" ) raps over two 12-bar verses loaded with the band's patented crunch, chug and wallop. The rest of the song is instrumental and does not feature vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield, who was in rehab when the mix was recorded last August (see "Ja Rule Spins Verses For Metallica In Studio" ).

During Hetfield's absence, drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist Kirk Hammett also worked on Metallica's next album with producer Bob Rock, who played all the bass parts (see "James Hetfield Exits Rehab, Rejoins Metallica"), since the band has still not replaced Jason Newsted, who vacated the group early last January (see "Bassist Jason Newsted Leaves Metallica"). Ulrich recently told Metallica fanzine "So What" that Metallica have assembled the frameworks for 20 new songs and are looking forward to working on them with Hetfield. The band is currently on hiatus and will return to the studio later this year, Metallica's publicist said.

According to official site, before he gets to know the new Metallica songs, Hetfield will probably want to get to know his new family member: he and his wife, Francesca, are expecting their third child by early February.