Flemming Rasmussen would produce another Metallica album

Danish producer Flemming Rasmussen says he would be ready to produce a new Metallica album, provided he could hear the demos first. He told Morgunblaðið’s Sunday supplement that he would not need long to decide if the band approached him.

Rasmussen produced three of Metallica’s albums in the 1980s: Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets and … And Justice for All. He said he has not discussed a new project with the band, adding that they would have to make the first move.

He first worked with the group in 1984, when he was 26 and the band members were 21 and 22. Rasmussen said he was struck by their energy. He had not heard of Metallica before drummer Lars Ulrich contacted him, having been impressed by Rasmussen’s work on Rainbow’s album Difficult to Cure.

Rasmussen also recalled bassist Cliff Burton’s influence in the band’s early years. He said Burton was on an equal footing with Ulrich and singer and rhythm guitarist James Hetfield, and that the other members looked up to him because he had studied music and theory. The band moved from Los Angeles to San Francisco so Burton could be part of it, Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen and his wife, Pernille Wagner, are due to speak at Smárabíó on Thursday, November 5. Their programme will focus mainly on Master of Puppets, with Rasmussen discussing the recording process and Wagner sharing behind-the-scenes stories. They will also play rough mixes, examine the songs and use audio examples. Rasmussen said the event is intended for a broad audience, not only metal fans and recording enthusiasts.