Metallica have finally finished recording their tenth studio album

James Hetfield says that Metallica have finally finished recording their tenth studio album and they’re “super stoked” about it.

Set for release later this year, the as-yet-untitled record is their first since 2008’s ‘Death Magnetic’ marking the largest gap between two albums in Metallica’s influential 35-year career.

Speaking to NBC, Hetfield said: "We're mixing it now, so hopefully by fall it'll be out and hitting people's ears. We're super stoked about it.

“It's been a long time coming, and, you know, this is what we do. We love playing. And the next album is exactly what it's supposed to be. So we're excited about it."

The album has been produced by Greg Fidelman in San Rafael, California who mixed ‘Death Magnetic’ and has worked with artists including Slayer, Slipknot, U2, Marilyn Manson, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Black Sabbath over his career.

Speaking to Rolling Stone back in March, Lars Ulrich said that following the album’s release “we will be gearing up and playing shows and doing all that fun stuff again soon.”

The album will be Metallica’s first full-length to be released via their own Blackened Recordings imprint.

Ulrich said: "It's always been about control for us as a band. Forming Blackened Recordings is the ultimate in independence, giving us 100% control and putting us in the driver's seat of our own creative destiny."

In other James Hetfield news, the singer has confirmed a guest appearance on Heart's new album 'Beautiful Broken'. You can read more about their collaboration here.