ON ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY, FORMER METALLICA BASSIST JASON NEWSTED REFLECTS ON THE BAND’S “BLACK ALBUM”
As Metallica’s Black Album turns a quarter of a century old, former Metallica bassist, Jason Newsted, reflects on the band’s time in the studio, and the wider impact, the record had on the metal world.
Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted has recalled his favorite moments recording the band’s 1991 self-titled album.
Newsted says he was particularly pleased with the song My Friend Of Misery, which opens with his bass guitar and which he says was a “real accomplishment” in a band which had previously released …And Justice For All with the bass almost inaudible in the mix.
As the self-titled album, aka The Black Album, celebrates its 25th anniversary, Newsted tells Billboard his favorite song on the record is Sad But True — “Just because of the weight, the six-string bass and that big, big bottom,” he says — but he also has a particular pride in My Friend Misery. “It was the bass, by itself, introducing that song, which was not the easiest thing to do at that time within that band,” he explains. “That was a moment where those guys kind of bowed and said, ‘Here you go, man, put your song on there,’ being the guy who came up with that; as opposed to being part of the team, I got to be myself for a minute there, which was a real accomplishment.”
Newsted’s other great memory of the Metallica album cycle was the worldwide territories it opened for the band. “That’s the biggest deal about that. We worked so hard on the record for so long, and to take that music around the world like we did was really, hugely powerful,” he says. “Nothing Else Matters was, like, number one in 35 countries the same week or some sh–, and all of a sudden there’s countries calling that never would’ve entertained the thought of an American metal band playing in front of their kids, and they’re calling us up ’cause they know they can make a bunch of money because it’s so freakin’ popular at the moment. So we got to do a bunch of pioneering and be the first heavy band to go to a bunch of those places. That’s what I remember the most.”
Currently, Newsted has announced a series of dates with The Chophouse Band. Read more about this project, and view tour dates, by clicking here.
source: billboard.com
Sad But True maybe one of my favorite Metallica songs, as well. But my all time favorite song, has always been, For Whom The Bell Tolls.
Sounds like the Black Album created some great memories for Jason, and I think that’s awesome. Big recovery for the audibleness of his bass on this album, considering it’s not heard at all on Justice. While I don’t have a favorite song on the Black Album, I like The Unforgiven a lot because of it’s “old west” feel, kinda like a Good, Bad, and the Ugly vibe. I also like the way the song is written with the heavy verses and softer choruses, which is opposite of how Fade to Black and Sanitarium were written.
While it’s incredible how the Black Album catapulted the band to great commercial success, I prefer the old school thrash version of Metallica, with Master being my favorite album from their catalog. I thought Rust in Peace would catapult Megadeth to greater success than Metallica, but Metallica surprised all when the Black Album was released on the heels of Rust in Peace. Personally, I think Rust in Peace is the better album, but again, I prefer old school thrash. :o)
“My Friend of Misery” may be the most poignant moments on the album, but, the way it’s dropped in there, that is, the sequencing of that record…that record is so post modern, a point in time where man really steps back and goes into a deep self assessment,…
The best art is the most universal, there’s a reason why Metallica and Back In Black hit such universal chord with people…it’s so deep, it transcends subjectivity…
The clown
The Black album holds up very well over all this time.
One of my favorites is Of Wolf and Man. That song has some pounding swagger to it.
Well, at least Jason got his “Justice” on the Black album! My favorites from that album – “Wherever I May Roam,” and ‘Through The Never.”