Metallica was awarded the Creative Voice Award by ASCAP, the performing rights organization. The award, the first of the organization's 90 year history, is given to an ASCAP member whose "significant career achievements are equally informed by their creative spirit and by their contributions to the role that a creator can play in their community."

The guys were introduced by guitarist Jerry Cantrell with further words from Bob Rock, and accepted the award in front of an audience filled with other musicians, songwriters, and music biz types.

Taking a couple of well deserved days off, they will be back to the business of rockin' live with the first European show next week in Copehagen on May 26.

copyright Lester Cohen/WireImage.com 2004