METALLICA frontman James Hetfield has told Launch Radio Networks that they are starting to think about their next project. According to Hetfield, the group has been preparing for each concert in their backstage "jam room," and have started coming up with ideas for new songs. "I'm really excited to do the next record," he said. "I'm also really excited to take some time off and just not have anything on a schedule. Creatively I think things are working really good. We're feeling really good. We're in the jam room coming up with stuff. Creatively, stuff's flowing. It feels so free and open." Hetfield said he expects METALLICA to take some time off when their tour ends in November, and then reconvene in late spring or early summer of 2005 to start working on the next album.