Metallica’s return to metal is no lie. Band guitarist and singer James Hetfield is especially getting in touch with his heavy side, enclosing a portion of his Marin County property with a righteous barbed wire fence. Actually, Hetfield cites instances of vandalism as the reason for the alteration, but he’s angered residents who have long used the fenced area for access to local hiking trails. One neighbor characterized the action as “a slap in the face to the community.” Hetfield hasn’t offered any further comments on the issue, because, of course, old school Metallica is back and doesn’t answer to anybody or care whether you like them. The band’s Death Magnetic will be released on September 12, 2008. [New York Post]