James Hetfield has spoken about feeling out of his depth when Metallica performed with an all-star line-up of rock legends at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, admitting he saw himself as one of the least experienced musicians on stage. The admission is notable because Metallica's frontman is typically viewed as one of heavy metal's most commanding figures, yet he has become increasingly open about his insecurities and personal struggles since the band addressed his issues candidly in the documentary "Some Kind of Monster."

Hetfield described joining a jam of "Train Kept A-Rollin'" alongside veteran guitarists including Jeff Beck and Joe Perry, saying he felt "so inadequate" despite Metallica's stature as one of the biggest metal bands in the world. He explained that performing alongside musicians who had long featured in his own record collection was a "head game" for him, calling himself a perfectionist and a people-pleaser, and noting that most musicians share similar insecurities beneath the surface.