Lou Reed - Reed Receives 'Death Threats' Over Metallica Album

The veteran musician teamed up with the group to record new album Lulu, but Reed admits many of the band's devotees are unhappy about the record and have sent him reams of unpleasant messages.

He tells Usa Today, "(They) are threatening to shoot me, and that's only because I showed up. They haven't even heard the record yet, and they're recommending various forms of torture and death."

However, the Perfect Day hitmaker is not letting the threats upset him, adding, "I don't have any fans left. After (1975 album) Metal MAChine Music, they all fled. Who cares? I'm essentially in this for the fun of it."

Metallica star Lars Ulrich has also shrugged off the negative response from fans, insisting they are used to criticism over the band's choices: "In 1984, when hard-core Metallica fans heard acoustic guitars on Fade to Black, there was a nuclear meltdown in the heavy-metal community. There have been many more since then.

"This (album) is something they've never heard. Nobody hears rhythms or delivers poetry the way Lou does. It's not for everyone, but I think it's a fantastic record."