Metallica play down single politics

Metallica have played down the political sentiment behind their new single 'The Day That Never Comes'.

The video for the track, which features a soldier assisting a wounded colleague, sparked rumours that the song is a statement from the group about the War in Iraq.

However, singer James Hetfield insisted that the band are not preaching from their "soapbox", claiming that they just want to present "the human element" to conflict.

"There are people over there dealing with situations like this, and we're showing the human part of being there," he told MTV.

"There are so many celebrities that soapbox their opinions and people believe it's more valid because they're popular.

"For us, people are people - you should all have your own opinion."

He added: "The politics and the religion tend to separate people, and what we're trying to do is bring it together with the common thread of resentment and forgiveness."

Metallica release their new studio album Death Magnetic on September 12.