When Metallica firts came roaring onto the scene in 1981, no one, not even the band members themselves, could have predicted the success that would follow.

More than 50 million records sold and over 30 years later, the guys who many have cited as the fathers of metal music have their tenth studio album in the works.

NME reports that both guitarist Kirk Hammett and drummer Lars Ulrich have said that they’re latest effort will be happening “soon”, with famed producer Rick Rubin potentially lending a hand to the record.

Metallica’s current project is a 3D film that chronicles live shows in Mexico City, Edmonton and Vancouver from their 2012 summer tour.

Ulrich told us back in August that the movie, which is directed by Nimrod Antal, will combine the live performance footage with acted sequences that run parallel to one another to form an overall story.

The movie is tentatively due out next year, with the new album expected to follow in 2014.

Metallica are also releasing a line of shoes with Vans in celebration of the 30th anniversary of their debut album Kill 'Em All, which will be available in March.

For more on this story from NME, click here, and check out Metallica’s official website for more updates on all of the band’s upcoming projects.