METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich spoke to MTV News last week about the 20th anniversary of the band's "...And Justice for All", which is perhaps one of the most important studio offerings of METALLICA's illustrious career.

"'Justice' obviously was a huge record for us. ... We took the 'Ride The Lightning' and 'Master Of Puppets' concept as far as we could take it," Ulrich reflected. "There was no place else to go with the progressive, nutty, sideways side of METALLICA, and I'm so proud of the fact that, in some way, that album is kind of the epitome of that progressive side of us up through the '80s."

He added, "It's aged quite well. There's a certain kind of specific sound to that record, peculiar sound — whichever adverb you want to choose — that's given it a kind of life of its own and a little bit of a vibe all its own. There have been a lot of great musicians we admire who've come up and talked about what a great inspiration that album has been to them and to their sound. It's obviously awesome to be part of that. That album also sent us on this whole other merry way, because when we came back from touring on that record in 1989, we were like, 'We have nothing more to offer on this side of METALLICA,' and that set us off on some other adventures. When I think of the nine records we've put out, it's impossible for me to think of the music without thinking of the experience. And when I think of the experience, I have warm and fuzzy feelings, but I also have questions. Obviously, 'Justice' is well-revered, especially among a lot of our peers."

Read the entire story from MTV News.

A soundboard-quality audio version of METALLICA's performance with legendary Danish metal singer King Diamond (MERCYFUL FATE, KING DIAMOND) at the one-day Ozzfest last Saturday night (August 9) at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas can be heard below.

MERCYFUL FATE will be remembered for its unquestionable mark on the history of metal with its innovative sound, complex arrangements, memorable melody, and its influence on bands that later took the genre to new heights.

In 1998, METALLICA paid tribute to MERCYFUL FATE by recording a medley of classic MERCYFUL FATE songs on the album "Garage Inc." Entitled "Mercyful Fate", the medley included parts from "Satan's Fall", "Curse of the Pharaohs", "A Corpse Without Soul", "Into the Coven" and "Evil".

Lars Ulrich of METALLICA (a fellow Dane) played drums on a new version of MERCYFUL FATE's "Return of the Vampire" on the "In the Shadows" album, which came out in 1993.

Soundboard audio: