It's not a concrete or a firm date, but it's something to go on! Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich commented on the band's writing and recording process for its next album, the follow up to 2008's 'Death Magnetic,' in a new interview with Argentina-based media outlet TN (seen above).

The skinsman offered a loose timeline and suggested that next year could see a new Metallica full length album. He boiled things down to a matter of time, or lack thereof. "We’ve started writing songs and preparing for the next record, so that’s very exciting," the drummer said about the album.

"We’re playing a new song on stage, which people seem to be very receptive to," Ulrich continued, referring to the ripping new track 'Lords of Summer.' "We’re writing away. We've got some good ideas. Our biggest problem is not the ideas. Our biggest problem is time. Metallica is busier than ever and there is more and more going on and the days get shorter and shorter. Hopefully, we will be done writing this year and next year we should record and hopefully have a new record out maybe next year. We’ll see. Hopefully next year."

So there you have it. The band tentatively plans to continue the writing process through 2015, record in 2015 and hopefully release it then as well. Fans will likely hope the band stays on that schedule.

Ulrich also talked about Justin Bieber, a known Metallica fan, again, saying he is a talented kid who doesn't make things easy for himself, given the intense media scrutiny whenever the pop star messes up. He also said he listens to what his sons like, since they hijack the iPod in the car. They like System of a Down and AC/DC, which is a sign that the boys are a chip off the old paternal block.

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