METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett and his wife Lani (photo) recently welcomed their first child, a son named Angel Ray Keala Hammett.

Kirk and Lani got married on January 31, 1998 in Kailua, Hawaii after his first marriage (to Rebecca) ended in 1990 during the recording of the band's "black" album.

As previously reported, Spanish METALLICA fan site CyberMETALLICA has uploaded several new photos taken during METALLICA's songwriting sessions for their upcoming album, tentatively due next summer/fall. Check them out at this location.

METALLICA's follow-up to 2003's "St. Anger" is being produced by Rick Rubin, who has previously worked with AUDIOSLAVE, SLAYER, SLIPKNOT, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS.