BASTARDANE, the alternative metal project featuring CASTOR HETFIELD — son of METALLICA vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield — on drums and vocals, has released a music video for their single "Mother's Tongue." The clip was directed by Calum Palmer.
The track carries considerable production pedigree: it was recorded by Dan Joeright at Gatos Trail Recording Studio in Yucca Valley, California, and produced by none other than JOSEPH DUPLANTIER of GOJIRA. Mixing was handled by Jamie Uertz at Duplantier's Silver Cord Studio, with mastering by Gavin Lurssen at Lurssen Mastering. Duplantier's involvement adds significant creative weight to the project — the GOJIRA frontman is widely regarded as one of the most innovative figures in modern heavy metal.
The band's current lineup features Castor Hetfield on drums and vocals, Luca Badan on bass and vocals, and Ethan Sirotzki on guitar. BASTARDANE parted ways with original vocalist Jake Dallas Benn in 2024, after which Hetfield and Badan stepped up to share vocal duties.
Despite carrying one of heavy metal's most recognizable surnames, Castor has been candid about the pressure of comparisons and his determination to carve his own path. "It's not bothersome, but it is a little annoying when people try to compare us," he said. "We are our own people and want to cut our own path." His stated influences — CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, OPETH, and TOOL — point firmly away from the Bay Area thrash of his father's legacy and toward something darker and more atmospheric.
BASTARDANE have released two full-length albums: "Is This Rage?" (2022) and "Catatonic Symphony" (2024). "Mother's Tongue" suggests the band is building momentum toward new material as they continue to develop their identity as a serious creative force in their own right.