After months of getting updates with the band's recording progress, the new Metallica album has been reported to be expected this year after members of the group revealed what fans should expect from their upcoming release.

First of, in a report by The Guardian, Kirk Hammett revealed how he thinks the upcoming release was an "extension" of their previous release and one of their first releases, "Death Magnetic" and "And Justice For All."

"It's a lot similar to 'Death Magnetic' but different in certain parts," Hammett said. "And, you know, there's a couple of songs that remind me of something on 'And Justice for All,' but the album doesn't sound like 'And Justice for All.'"

Bassist Robert Trujillo, who was able to talk to Ultimate Classic Rock, also revealed how heavy the upcoming album would sound like and that has revealed how each record could be different from the other releases.

"I can tell you that what we're doing sounds heavy, but again, each album is its own little experience," Trujillo said. "So we'll just have to wait and see."

Furthermore, drummer Lars Ulrich revealed in a Rolling Stone report how different the process for is to them to create the new Metallica album, as compared to the older LPs, recording and writing the tracks for the discs.

"In our world, there's been a distinct difference between the creative phase and the recording phase," Ulrich said. "With this project, we're trying to bridge the two a little more organically and not have there be such a great divide between the processes. We want to see if we can bring some of the creative curiosity, the impulsive stuff that happens when you're first playing a song into the studio."

"Compared to the age of the earth and the age of man populating this wonderful planet, it is very close by. I wouldn't hold my breath or skip going to the bathroom, but it's coming."