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Manic Street Preachers frontman James Dean Bradfield has told that the band were nervous approaching their "heroes" for turns on their latest album.

Of working with Ian McCulloch (Echo And The Bunnymen), Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses) and John Cale, James Dean Bradfield said: "It felt natural to get heroes on the record. We were so surprised those people agreed. It was like asking a girl at the school dance to get up with you.

"Ian McCulloch was the first person I saw live in 1985... John Cale was a massive inspiration when I was young. Back then we felt south Wales was a bit isolated but to see a Welshman go to New York and communicate to the world in the coolest band in the world was special. When I realised he was Welsh it made me realise it could be done. I had met John a few times and loved his solo work so I bit the bullet and rang him up, But we made sure they were musically relevant and not just used as names.

"I can't believe we have Duff MCKagan from Guns N' Roses on the album. He is one of Nick's favourite players. It does blast away all your cynicism when stuff like that happens."