A lot of people have pointed out that the statement itself is pretty tame, and I agree - but the fact that Hetfield felt the need to say it at all speaks volumes to his (and the rest of the band’s) attitude, and shits all over their purpose as artists. It’s pretty insane that the band who have filled their catalog and built their fortune on anti-war political songs is now like, ‘fuck all those political poser “entertainers”, we’re just here to forget it all and vibe. Woo beers!’.

I wanna share some of the best YouTube comments I’ve seen on it because they’re a lot funnier than me.

“I just want to stop the show to say that I will not be stopping the show to say anything.”

“Obey your master” was actually a call to action to obey your master

“Give me fuel, give me fire, give me money so I can retire”

The irony of Hetfield saying “Metallica is not here like other entertainers to influence you with their bullshit. We’re here to forget about all the outside shit.” while the entire sphere is covered with a picture of hundreds of solders graves is insane.

He uses the term “entertainers” seemingly disparagingly, but isn’t that exactly what an artist who doesn’t want to address “outside shit” is – literally just an entertainer?

“No politics! We’re here to forget about all of that shit! Now, here’s a song about a man having a panic attack minutes before his execution by electric chair. Followed by a song about how the government uses up veterans and discards them after they’re no longer useful.”

“I can’t remember anything…” - James Hetfield