Worry not, Metallica fans, for your thrash heroes have officially begun the writing process for a new album. As the follow-up to the band's 2008 album, 'Death Magnetic,' the as-yet-untitled album has so far been described by drummer Lars Ulrich as "heavy," "energetic" and "fast."

Ulrich spilled the beans to Metal Hammer for the publication's January 2013 issue, describing the potential framework to Metallica's 10th album, which is expected to drop in 2014. "The stuff that we were banging out yesterday, it felt heavy, it felt energetic, it was loud, it was fast, it was rocking, it was crazy," gushes Ulrich. "The snare drum was on there and there were guitar solos, in case anybody was wondering. What we're doing now certainly sounds like a continuation of where we left off four years ago."

Despite Ulrich's transparency in discussing the upcoming album, the drummer would not confirm nor deny the inclusion of legendary producer Rick Rubin, who took hold of the board during the 'Death Magnetic' recording sessions. "I love Rick, we all love Rick," assures Ulrich. "We're in touch with Rick constantly. We'll see where it goes."

Metallica's 2014 album will be their first to be released via Blackened Recordings, a label the band recently launched after taking ownership of all their master recordings. “It’s always been about control for us as a band,” says drummer Lars Ulrich. “Forming Blackened Recordings is the ultimate in independence, giving us 100 percent control and putting us in the driver’s seat of our own creative destiny.”

Stay tuned for more news on Metallica's upcoming 10th album as news breaks.