Metallica are recording a new album later this year.

The 'Enter Sandman' group are set to head back into the studio to follow up 2008's 'Death Magnetic' in autumn, as soon as they complete work on their 3-D concert film.

Drummer Lars Ulrich said: ''We're gonna basically just concentrate on new music and try to get another Metallica record done.''

He said frontman James Hetfield has lots of new ideas, adding: ''Every time he picks up a guitar there's some brilliant riff that comes out of him.

''I try to make sure that they're all recorded and try to do my best to keep up with them and try to put some drums behind them.

''So there are, obviously, tons of ideas sitting around waiting to be had at in terms of turning ideas of James' into songs.''

James - who completes the band with Lars, guitarist Kirk Hammett and bass player Robert Trujillo - said earlier this year he had ''846 riffs'' ready for the new album, which will be the band's tenth.

He said: ''In iTunes, you can see how many things you've got. And that does not include the soundchecks, the stuff we goof around with. You

''You plug in an amp. Suddenly it makes you feel good - you come up with a riff. 'Dude, did you get that?' You can't get away from being recorded.''