The authors of Into the Black: The Inside Story of Metallica, 1991-2014 provided some insights about the metal band’s finances in an interview with Jamie Blaine:

• In the book the authors write that since the year 2010 the band has likely lost more money than it has made.
• This is in part due to the Orion Music + More travelling musical festival set up by the band, which ended up being a financial disaster.
• They also worked on a movie, Metallica – Through the Never. The cost of making it ballooned to $32 million and it is thought to have recouped just a fraction of that.
• Keeping in mind the costs of staff, crew, and other expenses, the band has probably spent more than it has earned.
• The band likely tours Europe in the summers more out of the necessity to earn a few (million) bucks than by choice.

Read more of the interview to get a deeper insight into the band, its history, and its future here.

Source: The Weeklings

Via: Supajam, Ultimate Guitar