METALLICA frontman James Hetfield spoke to Reuters about the band's participation in this summer's series of European festivals called Sonisphere.

"We did Monsters of Rock in the U.S. with VAN HALEN, SCORPIONS and others and it was a lot of fun, you get to know the bands, you're hanging out, staying in the same hotels," Hetfield told Reuters in a telephone interview.

"When the same bands get on the touring circuit together you get to see them more than once. It helps with the atmosphere and the vibe," he said, adding that Monsters of Rock was "one of the funnest times I've ever had."

Hetfield believes Europeans' attitude to festivals and travel differ to those in his native United States.

"The obvious one (reason) is the economy right now," he said. "I also think in Europe and the U.K. a lot of the festivals are a right of passage for a teen and part of growing up.

"Parents wave goodbye as their son or daughter goes off to the festival where they may try drinking too much for the first time and are struggling in the elements. Americans are a little more cautious than that."

Read the entire interview from Reuters.

METALLICA's Lars Ulrich talking about Sonicsphere festivals: