James Hetfield cited Van Halen and Blue Oyster Cult as Influences .
He has also cited Queen , Led Zeppelin , Black Sabbath , Misfits , AC/DC , Cheap Trick , Rush , Van Halen , Blue Oyster Cult , Alice Cooper , Kiss , Ramones , Motörhead , Sex Pistols , Venom , Iron Maiden , Judas Priest , ZZ Top , Thin Lizzy , Lynyrd Skynyrd , Ted Nugent , Rainbow , and Deep Purple as influences.
James Hetfield