Metallica have six weeks to finish new album

Rock legends Metallica have six weeks to complete their new album in order to get it ready for a September release.

The untitled album, the band's first in five years, will reportedly sound more like the group's '80s work.

Speaking to BBC 6 Music, drummer Lars Ulrich said the band are close to finishing their ninth studio album.

"We're just finishing up a record, we've got six weeks left and it should be out in September, that's the idea right now," Ulrich said.

The drummer is optimistic that the LP will prove more successful than 2003's St Anger.

"I like what I've heard so far. I'm not one of the great sellers of 'the new record's the best thing we've ever done and it s***s all over the last record and it's way heavier'. I'm not a great believer in all that horse s***.

"I like it and I'm one of Metallica's harshest critics. So far it feels pretty good but there's still plenty of time to f*** it up, so let's see what happens."

Reports indicate that the US metal band will headline this summer's Reading and Leeds Festivals.