Metallica singer James Hetfield was ‘livid’ after Grammys (Video)

Metallica lead singer James Hetfield was reportedly ‘livid’ about that microphone malfunction during the Grammys this year.

The history between Metallica and the Grammys isn’t what you’d define as cozy. The band was snubbed — infamously — in the 1980s when they were deemed lesser than Jethro Tull in the hard rock category.

Old wounds were picked open this year when during a set at the Grammys, the microphone of lead singer James Hetfield decided to not work. The reason for this is still unknown, but the main culprit seems to be someone backstage accidentally tripping a wire and unplugging the mic.

Hetfield attempted to keep singing but it was to no avail. He eventually stormed over the the microphone that Lady Gaga was using and fixed the problem. But while he was able to sing on stage, he needed to rage behind it.

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich appeared on Late Late Show with Grammys host James Corden and walked everyone through how upset Hetfield was.

“We get off stage and I haven’t seen him like that in twenty years,” Ulrich said, describing just how angry Hetfield was backstage at the Grammys. “I mean he was livid.”

Hetfield, from all the stories that have been told about him, is mostly a chill guy nowadays. Even back at the height of Metallica, when Hetfield was a little more unhinged, was a reserved guy away from the stage.

But while they may be heavy metal gods, Metallica are professional and when things go wrong it’s not ideal.

You can watch the whole clip below:

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Catch James Corden on Late Late Show each weeknight at 12:35am ET on CBS.