James Hetfield Explains How Metallica Invented Heavy Metal Subgenre

James Hetfield shared his thoughts about the suggestions that Metallica created the subgenre of heavy metal music.

Metallica will spread rock vibes again when it starts its 46-show trek following the release of its new album, "72 Seasons." The M72 world tour will visit cities in Europe and North America, and it will present the band alongside its opening acts like Greta Van Fleet, Mammoth WVH, Pantera, Five Finger Death Punch, and Ice Nine Kills, among others.

As the band breathes life into the subgenre amid the "rock is dead" debate, Hetfield spoke about fans' thoughts that Metallica invented the heavy metal music genre.

James Hetfield Breaks Silence on Current Talks

Speaking with Australian news-current affairs and talk show television panel program, "The Project," Metallica's frontman was asked how it feels like to be credited for creating the heavy metal music genre.

Metallica is one of the bands credited for it alongside Anthrax and Megadeth, among others.

Although Hetfield wanted to take credit for it, he said it was not how things worked out.

"We were playing music that we wanted to hear. [It's] as simple as that. People don't understand how important things are in the moment when you're doing them, until later, which is great. 'Cause if we thought it was that important, we would have screwed it up, probably," he went on.

James Hetfield Shares Thoughts About "Rock Is Dead" Debate

Although the subgenres are flourishing, there have been debates that rock itself is already dead after Gene Simmons spoke about it.

Hetfield offered a more positive outlook on the issue and said that saying "rock is dead" is fuel for a hard rock band.

His son, Castor, shared a similar sentiment and told Mike Nelson Show with Bastardane that, per the general consensus, rock is not dead. He added that people have live music to thank for keeping the genre alive.

Meanwhile, Alice Cooper said rockers are becoming "outlaws" again following the emergence of the debate. Instead of being dead, he told LA Weekly that the genre entered a new era instead.

"Well, you've got your certain bands- you know, Foo Fighters still going. Green Day, things like that. I kind of look at this a little bit differently. There was a time when we first started playing, that rock bands were outlaws" he explained.

He added that they are back to the point where rockers are being rebels again.