(Credits: Far Out / Carlos Rodríguez / Andes)
Fri 27 June 2025 11:00, UK
Metallica are quite often hailed as being one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time, and when you listen to them and watch them, it’s pretty easy to see why. They are one of the largest-sounding metal bands on the planet, with songs that are completely unrelenting in every single second that they play. Pair that with their live shows, and it’s clear why they are considered the very greatest by so many.
It’s not just the fact that they’re good, but they’re also incredibly serious about their work. You get a lot of bands who throw themselves into the rockstar life, and while this is fine, it also often results in people losing focus on what matters the most to them. People lose track of the music they love making and playing, which leads to bands splitting up and a love for playing dissipating. Metallica have never allowed this to happen, as despite being able to live their lives as rockstars, they’re also incredibly punctual and organised.
Slash experienced this first-hand when he toured with Metallica. It was when Guns N’ Roses were at their most volatile, and he left that tour feeling embarrassed at how much of a mess his band looked compared to the tight ship that Metallica was running.
“It was a very tense time,” Slash admitted when recounting his tour with Metallica, “A major straw on the camel’s back for me and for everybody in our camp. It was actually a huge issue for me because I’d lost face with everyone in Metallica. We didn’t keep our promise to them, the fans, or to ourselves to put on the best show possible.”
Of course, while Metallica are an organised musical outfit, that doesn’t mean they haven’t had some issues as a band. For instance, in 1986, they lost their bassist, Cliff Burton, who sadly passed away. He was replaced by Jason Newsted, who performed with the band for almost 15 years before deciding to call it a day. Newsted left because of creative differences with the other members of the band, and it led to the band having to find another bassist to join their ranks. They had to not only be someone who could play, but also someone who aligned with the band creatively.
Robert Trujillo ended up being the perfect replacement, as he had a heavy playing style that suited Metallica’s sound, as well as a love for his work, which slotted in nicely with the band’s ethic. When James Hetfield heard that Trujillo was being considered as the band’s new bassist, he didn’t need much convincing; in fact, he thought Trujillo might have been too good for the band.
“When we were getting to that point of needing to find a bass player, you know, when Rob was on the list, I was just thinking, no way he’s going to join us,” laughed Hetfield, “He’s too amazing. I mean, he’s too spectacular. I mean, the things that he’s got going on, I mean, he’s so connected and he’s so wanted and needed, you know, he’s just […] he might show up as kind of a, a kind gesture.”
Trujillo did show up, but it was more than a kind gesture. He was genuinely keen on joining the band, and when they all played together, it became clear that he was the right pick. He has been the bass player for Metallica ever since. “When he did play, I mean, whoa […] There were a few other people I had in mind and then when Rob showed up, it was like… okay.”
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