Jason Newsted Says He Was FURIOUS When He Learned Metallica Turned Down His Bass Tracks

[@LitchAzazel]

There is an interview with the mixer of the And Justice for All Album on KZbin where he states that the lack of bass was 100% Lars' demand.

[@MaddogJones]

Well since Lars owns Metallica, that makes sense...

[@Banana_Split_Cream_Buns]

And Lars later had the audacity to blame him for doing as he asked.

[@copykonsmusic1065]

Rolling Stone interview.

[@rickyspanish6719]

Lars: "Hey man, we did have bass on the record roight?" 😂

[@jennylee5003]

Lars plays like sht and the bass makes his poor rhythm/timing more apparent. No other metal band- even guys like fkn cannibal corpse who play brutal loud music say " my ears are shot I dont wanna hear the bass". Lars using his widdle ears being shot as an excuse to mess up several projects is a btch move

[@nickcollins9893]

As it was mentioned in David Fricke "Justice" interview, Jason kinda got his revenge during live performances by being incredibly loud and energetic back vocalist, even main vocalist sometimes. His work on Justice, Black Album, Load and Reload was great, and he is just an awesome musician.

[@birdshark6230]

Well said Nick…. I agree 100%…

[@JPX64Channel]

@@birdshark6230 garage days, inc, i dissapear.

[@Red_Lanterns_Rage]

yeah, at this point jason has my respect more than Tallica does....i stil add em to my playlists cus i like the older albums but i rarely include the load era outside garage inc cus to me that's when they stopped being metallica....and started being Bitchica.....lolz hey Lars and James are the diva and yes man who allowed this insanity to happen, not me.... [Lars is the diva, James is the yes man]

[@devinwatson4594]

Garage days was good too

[@davidvied2507]

Jason was the man and he’s a killer bass player.. his MetallicA days are my era, I had to go back into the earlier stuff once I got into them fully during Justice and Black album days, but he was the heart during his run.. they’ve really lacked that since him.. if not just for the strong songwriting and energy that is the songs, and how powerful James is, they def would’ve fallen off far more.. but they are legends, doubt we’ll ever see a powerhouse like them again and with such a storied past, shit is legendary

[@dldissolving2005]

I feel like Jason never really got the recognition he deserves.

[@conradsz]

oh really

[@diego90XD]

But fans recognize him🤘🏻

[@kelleygieger1598]

One reason why he left.... That and the fact that his writing wasn't used

[@Gregbaltzer]

The man is a millionaire because of Metallica. He never has to worry about anything else in his life. I think that's recognition enough.

[@tylurmackinnon6217]

Recognition for what? He played bass that followed the guitar playing. He didn’t contribute anything creative or wrote any material etc.

[@kizunadragon9]

They never treated Jason well. I'm amazed he hung in as long as he did.

[@rafaellago172]

He always seemed to genuinely love the music, and let's be frank, the paycheck sure wasn't so bad.

[@HeathenDance]

@@rafaellago172 And the fame.

[@cleetusmcdonald6574]

@@rafaellago172 40 million in two tours lmao, hella money.

[@suburbanindie]

Money's a hell of a drug.

[@jamescotner2459]

None of us fans really know this. We only got little clips of hazing or whatever. I'm pretty confident in saying more good came from those fifteen years than bad.

[@rowdydog1879]

Do a remake of the album with the bass turned up and the drums down. Then call it "And Justice For Jason"

[@killer92173]

You can easily find videos of it on KZbin

[@tiagoshade]

😂😂

[@HeadbangoO]

It's Metallica, not Jason-lick-A, nobody cares about the bass 😂

[@hrotha]

@@HeadbangoO Most bands don't have a bassist because they want to help out a bassist buddy of theirs or anything, but because most genres of music actually sound better with a bass

[@Hoscitt]

.... it's existed for yesrs online. With that name.

[@TOMG12XU]

Jason SHINED live AND in the studio. AND to us fans. You can tell that he was the most grounded & the most grateful.

[@tun-tunninc.6492]

That album needs bass. Jason's playing was really on par.

[@yoursensei8837]

Above par in reality

[@jord9261]

He didn't play like a bass player he played like a guitar player. He copied hetfield's every note. That was their issue

[@tun-tunninc.6492]

@@jord9261 I mean. U can obviously differentiate their distortions. Jason had a really impressive sound when playing. Thankfully that was captured for their black album release.

[@ericcartmansstrengthandpow5960]

@@yoursensei8837 Above par is worse than under par. Just saying.

[@justindavis7321]

@@jord9261 dude totally accurate...jason is playing note for note what james was playing on guitar. He very much played like a guitar player on that album. I'm a guitar player but I played bass in a band in high school. I didnt always kno the correct bass lines and I would already know the songs rythym guitar bar chords so I just played that on bass but single finger notes instead of bar chords like the guitar. The " justice for Jason" albums have the bass turned up and Jason is playing what james is playing . I think the original recording without the bass sounds better and is more aggressive sounding

[@oxouk]

If you’re ears are shot, that’s when you take a break. Even after long days in the studio during mixdown, the producer will often say “We need to revisit this tomorrow with a fresh set of ears.”

[@markusaurelius777]

Yup....when recording you get "ear burnout"

[@ilikethekeyofE]

What producer?

[@petefaders]

I'm a producer/engineer. I don't care how burnt I am, I'm never mixing the bass that low by accident...that's beyond burnout. James was making excuses...his real answer is probably that he has to pick his battles with Lars and was burnt on arguing with him.

[@oxouk]

@@petefaders In this particular case, I certainly agree.

[@hideout2499]

so tell me why the remastered version doesn't have bass either

[@mattdavis7876]

Hetfield's justification ("we were fried, we were burned-that's why we blasted the high end") is LAME to say the least. Somehow their colleagues at the time-Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer, etc.-who must have been equally "fried and burned" didn't seem to have this problem of overlooking the bass tracks. Well, but then again, maybe Slayer did LOL.

[@JPX64Channel]

slayer's bass was also very low in their 1988 record, tom's bass isn't so noticeable in south of heaven.

[@hammersmashedface6059]

@@JPX64Channel or reign in blood. It’s very loud on hell awaits though.

[@psychedelicfright85]

You won't hear much of it, after Hell Awaits. It's drums and vocals up front, then guitar, and then bass..... way down there

[@alexbaum2204]

Slayer is an entirely different story. Their big mistake was how they handled their management and their irreplaceable drummer. Dave was the heart and soul of that band. He brought it all back when he rejoined in the 2000’s. But they were not the same band without him. And all he was trying to do was make sure everyone got what they earned. Sad and stupid stuff.

[@ileanasantamaria2364]

@@alexbaum2204 truth

[@zachlewis9751]

Basically Lars just hates bass and James never did anything about it.

[@markusaurelius777]

@Skip R Both are douchebags LOL

[@angle.0255]

@Skip R I wish they gave kirk more control you know

[@ianlongshore]

meanwhile kirk is just like 👀

[@jeffnovak568]

@@ianlongshore Kirk, as good as he is as a lead player, is essentially just along for the ride. Lars and James are the captains of the ship and what they say goes.

[@SKarthikeyan75]

Lars hates drums too. Even he doesnt know that.

[@mikestanislaus1107]

"We were fried, our hearing was shot". To quote Marsha(?)Brady: "Sure Jim!"🙄😒

[@chauncybrukshut9279]

If so, the same would be true about the kick drum.

[@JR-bt5ob]

Newstead was the heart of Metallica. Never saw him put anything less than 1000% into a show. Everyone looked to James when it was time sing but when it was time to keep the energy up and bang your head it was all Newstead all the time.

[@levimcadams998]

He was treated like a red headed step child. Basically" you're not Cliff!" is the feeling I get. Metallica is famous for being petty and then YEARS later apologies like they were oblivious. It just makes it worse, admit you're assholes, it's easier and the Truth sets you free

[@worgerstein5491]

His presence on stage made well up for it. Great performer!

[@Banana_Split_Cream_Buns]

What's a real shame is that if it weren't for Lars's fragile ego, Cliff's parts would also come out a lot more strongly on the first 3 albums. I guess Lars "Meg" Ulrich wanted Metallica to be the original White Stripes.

[@Lopez-my1bo]

Cliff bass is pretty audible especially in kill em all.

[@J0non0]

​@@Lopez-my1bo yeah but it was pretty low on some songs that it should've been louder on especially "call of ktulu" that song is supposed to have cliff playing the lead but you can only really hear his wah effects

[@Awnos]

@@Lopez-my1bo Not like it should be compared to other bands at the time.

[@JaimeMoralesDrums]

@@J0non0 lol Dafuuu you talking about?

[@diablodiablodiablo3827]

@@Lopez-my1bo Uh... nope. Those albums sound like a deaf man produced them.

[@CarlspacklerJr]

I’ll admit that I wasn’t too impressed with Jason when he first joined the band. But over the years I started to like his playing and the fact that he had a good attitude through most of it. Such a shame he got hazed as much as he did. But I have far more respect for him as a person than the rest of the band. James and Lars seemed especially sucked in by the whole rock star shit, whereas, Jason kept it real

[@denizenofclownworld4853]

He didn't get better. You became a fan.

[@imarriedabrkfsttaco3737]

They were constantly shttng on Jason as the new guy even after several years in the band. No way in hell they treated Robert with as much blatant disrespect.

[@denizenofclownworld4853]

@@imarriedabrkfsttaco3737 Well, he's better..so...

[@kl8455]

Jason's playing in Flotsam & Jetsam is fantastic.

[@E.C.2]

Always thought Metallica should've taken Flotsam n Jetsam on tour w them in Canada Mexico or South America,expose them to a new set of fans. James/Lars are so petty + insecure they would be worried it would appear Jason was taking an upper hand and lose his place as the bottom feeder. I'd do favors for bands like that if I were in their place.

[@joedragaux8695]

The bass tracks on this album were f***ing sick. Possibly some of Jasons most progressive work. Badass.

[@lucwilson1]

Deep down they were intimidated by Jason… they knew fans loved him

[@geraldp494]

4 Sure!!!

[@BegetterVIIEVEN]

@Skip R Oh shiet!

[@JeeeeeZ289]

@Skip R they were scared that Jason would overshadow cliffs legacy. Either way they both did have a great impact in the band

[@Atlas65]

I think the biggest porportion of the Metallica fan pool are guitarist. So James Hetfield is the most worshipped one, because he is the one behind most of these awesome riffs, and on top of that with his awesome powerful vocal style (mainly from the eighties to the early nineties) and his fantastic songwriting ability .. Then Kirk comes second.

[@redrick8900]

Metallica fans who are alive back then are laughing at you. The Narrative about that band the entire time Newsted was in it was about how they used to have one of the greatest most innovative bassists of all time who was also a great writer and the new guy is okay.

[@ronwilliams1094]

It would be great if Metallica did a proper re-mix of AJFA and re-released it as a special 35th Anniversary record but their attitude is, “It is what it is. Never look back.” In some respects I do understand that line of thinking but I think there’s a huge contingent of Metallica fans who’d appreciate hearing Newstead’s bass more prominently in the mix.

[@russkate88]

Exactly. It's long overdue and saying that they never look back and keep going forward doesn't cut it in this instance.

[@CMZIEBARTH]

Someone might be able to do it with AI now.

[@pikehunter23750]

I'm sure they have the Master bass tracks still.... So there's no need to redo them. Jason even stated himself that he could never play at that level again. Well, I think if he was back in the saddle he'd do just fine! If Metallica were to ever revisit the album...they better not even think about using Rob's bass lines. It would change the entire dynamic of the album and basically ruin it.

[@ronwilliams1094]

@@pikehunter23750 They don't have to re-record anything to remix the record. They already recorded everything when they made the album. They just need to bring Jason's bass up in the mix and re-release it.

[@keepthemetalflowing]

So, I know James and Lars ARE basically Metallica with Kirk coming in soon after, and since Jason stepped in after what happened with Cliff, it makes sense that THEY have thought they were making a killer-sounding album. They didn't. The album has great songs on it, and great playing but what Lars did to the mix by having Steve Thompson turn the bass so far down (I read an interview where he explains that's what happened, Lars TOLD him to and James went along with it). I read another interview with Flemming Rasmussen who produced "Lightning" and "Puppets" where he said he wanted to make a super heavy album that would bury "Puppets" and that was what he was working on with the band. He said his assistant engineer recorded Jason's parts, and they were perfect. Then all the final tracks go to Steve to be mixed (there was another mixer, but he's never mentioned) and that's when Lars (and James) really messed things up. I bought the two vinyl set of that album IN 1988! I saw them on the tour on December 4th, 1988 in Phoenix (Queensrÿche opened for them). I was a huge fan of them then, somewhat now. I respect James a lot. Lars, I respect his business sense but it seems that the other three (Cliff, Kirk, and James) were gonna boot him after the "Puppets" tours were done. Then it all went to hell when Cliff was killed. Point is, Lars is a great networker, he knows how to put things in a business perspective. Yet he ruined "Justice's" mix, and I hated listening to it then as much as I do now. Then, the band doesn't correct the maligned, brick-walled mix for "Death Magnetic" -which sounds harsh and not in a good way. Lars and Metallica's management had the chance when they remastered "Justice" to do what the death metal band Soltice did for their 1995 album, 'Pray'. They re-released it in 2012. The original mix was muddy but heavy. They remastered it BUT they also REMIXED that album and bam! It sounds killer! I own it on the compilation: 'Pray For The Sentencing", which is their first and second albums together remastered (and 'Pray' also remixed, two versions of the same album). That's what Metallica SHOULD have done. They have the money. Unless they somehow lost all the final tracks (but not the final mixes), but I highly doubt that. Give us, the fans who have supported them and helped them live the lives they have, what we want: a remixed totally new mix and master of "AJFA". And release BOTH. A remaster of the original mix and a new remix and remaster. Like the example, I gave for Solstice. And, to further my evidence that a new mix would do wonders for the album, I give you Death's much-maligned (but still tolerably listenable) 'Human' album. When they went to do the remaster in 2010/11, they didn't have the final mixes. So they did a full remix as they had the final recorded album tracks. And the new mix is a MASSIVE improvement. I think Suffocation should do that for 'Breeding the Spawn'. I know they rerecorded the tracks but I still think a new remix and remaster (sound replacement for Mike's drums) would do that album even more justice, (pun intended) as it's musically an excellent album. The point is, Metallica has bragged about how they're the biggest metal band and they've played (literally) everywhere. Put your money where your mouth is, to good use, and give us the 'AJFA' we all want and deserve!!!

[@NIGHTSTALKER973]

I actually never listen to the album from Metallica anymore I listen to the "And Justice For Jason" albums now because once I heard them I could never go back to original album I hope that Metallica get the hint and fix the lack of bass in a remix.

[@Atlas65]

@@NIGHTSTALKER973 It has a terrible mix. Mixed by a person that doesn't know how to mix. The only hing that is done there is that the bass is crancked up way o high, where he is playing a lead role, dominating all the other instruments.. It's simply silly.

[@mydixiewrecked315]

PREACH ON!!!!! MY HEAVY METAL BRETHEREN-remix it,better yet issue it as a mix your own boxed set with the initial tracks & a trial copy of Pro-Tools to mix it with.Where their fans can mix down the tracks and send it to Metallica in a fashion we would like to hear the record as.Whomever the band feels did the best mix down -gets a meet & greet with Cashtallica.

[@peakyblinder777]

Jason is a Brilliant Bass player and the most charismatic man on the stage when in Metallica - period 💯🔥

[@peakyblinder777]

Lars and James were Jealous of Jason as he had massive charisma on stage and was powerful and talented on Bass. They lied when they said Jason was an excuse for when Cliff (1st Bassist passed) I know this as fact. God Bless you All 💯🔥

[@Mark.13.]

And Justice for Jason...

[@benvasilinda9729]

The bass guitar(and Jason’s amazing playing of it) should have gotten more respect and more inclusion for sure. It’s a band, that’s what a band is and does, it includes everyone together.

[@randallfloyd4476]

it's true....even cliff is buried in the mix, which is a travesty....and weirdly enough, their best sounding album is garage days, and the bass is very prominent.

[@HeathenDance]

That's not true. Compare Metallica's albums with Cliff with all the other thrash metal bands that were releasing records. For sure Cliff's bass is right up there, among those who can be better heard. Particularly Kill'Em All.

[@randallfloyd4476]

i'll give you kill 'em all, but he's buried in ride and master....and apparently, jason agrees with me.

[@stephenc.4319]

@@HeathenDance Nah Cliff was very much buried. Listen to the isolated bass tracks from Ride and MOP and there’s all this crazy stuff you’ve never heard before because he was so low in the mix. Compared to other bands, it was still low. Megadeth for example, you can hear what David is doing, it’s not 98% buried.

[@morgellon9449]

True about Cliff, but I never liked the sound of Garage Days. The guitars are way too scooped. The bass sound is great on Garage Days, though.

[@markusaurelius777]

@@randallfloyd4476 Not buried in the mix like Jason is.

[@kukelhupf]

This is old news. We all know the album has no bass. We all know James regrets how they treated him.

[@crnkmnky]

I liked the new insight from Jason, theorizing that Lars always had a preference/fixation, and did this turn-down schtick whenever he could get away with it.

[@ImYourOverlord]

You miss the point, sir. For the longest time, Jason hasn't said much at all to express his feelings about it, and sometimes actually supported the "best sounding record they could make" line of BS. It's refreshing to hear that he was properly upset about what happened.

[@ImYourOverlord]

@@crnkmnky I'd have quit the band the moment I learned about Lars' anti-bass stance.

[@RandomPerson-ui3xv]

@@ImYourOverlord ok

[@jamescotner2459]

Exactly, move on. Rob's doing pretty good huh guys.

[@ll7868]

In '89 I was a student at Columbia Academy of Recording Arts, one of our group projects was to produce a radio ad for an upcoming concert, our group got Metallica's Justice show. I was the editor blending different songs into the mix and needed to use 2 songs off Justice which sounded like shit with the other songs from earlier albums. We needed to record separate bass tracks and add them to the mix as well as completely remix the high end sound to make it blend evenly. That album was a pain in the ass to work with from a sound tech point of view.

[@sumonjamal1653]

I wish they'd get their stories straight... but they were probably too drunk to remember anything back in 1988 😂 Jason was diplomatic in past interviews, but he was honest here... I think Steve Thompson said that he played a mix of 'Justice' for James ( with bass) and Lars did not like that mix... he demanded the current mix w/ Jason's bass faded. I know James was NOT happy w/ the mix in 'Justice'... he said so in an interview for the 'black' album in '91... "no depth"... "f$%king awful" ...he said about 'Justice'. I think that was why James & Lars kept butting heads during the 'black' album... James would work by day, and Lars came in at night... and the next day, James would try undo Lars' work. And this took months on end... What I don't understand is why Jason's music was never used... Jason wrote a lot for Flotsam & Jetsam... great stuff! Even Kirk got a lot of his riffs and ideas on Metallica records. But Jason had said he wanted to contribute songs, but James was the main lyricist... Lars called the shots on which songs he wanted to work on, and Jason was mostly ignored in the studio. That was only too apparent during the 'Load/Reload' sessions...

[@HeavyRaiden]

At least Jason wrote Blackened, one of their heaviest tracks

[@matthewmeserve73]

It seemed like he was never truly a part of the band. Between hazing the guy for years, removing his bass tracks to telling him he couldn't do anything but Metallica. Total control and really no respect.. but, Jason walks away with a hefty bank account and is set for life.

[@stevew6910]

Jason was done Justice with the Black album. Give it to Bob Rock, He will give it Bass love

[@obi2985]

Agreed. The bass is what makes the black album’s production stand out for me.

[@Maggai]

A Bob Rock/Randy Staub mix of Justice would be amazing!

[@forgotmyname4971]

That album sounds phenomenal.

[@ricklepick5134]

Bob rock is the reason Metallica sucks now lmao

[@stevew6910]

@@ricklepick5134 Bla Bla Bla :)

[@thedebatehitman]

I’d be pissed too, but he was also very fortunate to have made it in the band.

[@IsaacAndrade666]

what's the point if all they're gonna do is shit on you?

[@HeadbangoO]

@@IsaacAndrade666 He was only backing vocals, he just didn't know it.

[@Pee-Pad]

@@IsaacAndrade666 That’s a loaded question.

[@1997LT1Camaro]

Fortunate yes. Accepted no.

[@Gregbaltzer]

@@IsaacAndrade666 He's a millionaire who never has to do anything for the rest of his life and all he had to do is put up with a little shit from Lars and James, the ones who made him a millionaire. Seems pretty fair.

[@Mudhoney1991]

I love Jason.always keeps it real. He could've buried James and Lars but chose not too. Fair play Jason. Classy.⭐ Sometimes its won't you don't say that speaks loudest.

[@mydixiewrecked315]

Or Sometimes its what you don't say -that gets turned down in the final mix.

[@ryanatorryanson9535]

Well according to the guy who actually mixed AJFA, it was Lars specifically who said to keep reducing Jason’s bass. He made no mention of James being involved in that decision at all. On top of that, you have a professional mixer telling you it didn’t sound right and the bass was essentially inaudible, but you go with your “fried” and ringing ears over a professional mixer? Huh?

[@droidlittle582]

Seriously everyone that reads this, go to the Bass Channel and there you will find And Justice the way it was supposed to sound. It's not Jason but the guy playing on it absolutely shreds. It's the only version I will EVER listen to. It's smokin!!! Seriously do it!!!

[@tiborpurzsas2136]

I know the one ! Its fantastic !

[@HeavyRaiden]

Yeah 🤘

[@apedosmil99]

Link?

[@kickazzdrummer666]

"he f*cking left the band!!"

[@ladev91]

Focking*

[@mattmoves5920]

PERIOD! EXCLAMATION POINT! GHNNNNNN!!!

[@ImYourOverlord]

@@mattmoves5920 😂

[@PRATERVXEX]

It’s kind of weird that they would make the very next album have no bass after they lost one of the most legendary bassists in metal history. You would think they would want to prove that they could still hold it down on that end even with a new guy.

[@terrymiller8597]

@@lotsapasta0858 Jason was never given any creative input. Not only that, but James didn't want Jason to have a side band either. Something about James and Lars' complex I guess

[@donaldpump1282]

i think ive heard something about that before like 20 years ago and every year since i hope that 20 years from now people will still make videos about jason and metallica and his bass turned down thanks dude great video

[@Thedesertguy75]

Theres a guy on YT that put bass on that record and it sounds incredible.........He plays it lives with the tracks........takes it to another level

[@petecolombus]

The midget drummer did it

[@rezaervanda3871]

"Midget"💀💀

[@HeavyRaiden]

It's Jame's fault too, he didn't do shit to change it or even said something about it, he just agreed with Lars

[@mydixiewrecked315]

@@HeavyRaiden probably had not wanted to disrupt the "man love" within the group.

[@peterlightning9235]

Everything sounds much richer and fuller with bass. What they did on Justice was experimental. And they should just say that. But the Black Album was done the right way. The bass and drums sound incredible. That's how an album should sound.

[@HeavyRaiden]

Even though the bass is alright in the black album, even then it's still a little buried into the mix, take for instance My Friend Of Misery's intro, when the guitars come in you can listen how the bass gets buried under the drums and guitars... still a good mix though.

[@redrick8900]

Albums aren't all supposed to sound the same.

[@jonathanhathaway7796]

I was introduced to Metallica in the mid 80s by a guitar student of mine. For all the love they threw Cliff Burton in interviews it was always glaringly obvious that they didn't consider him important enough to give him his space on the records. Listen to Whole Lotta Love. It's not really heavy until John Paul Jones' bass comes in on the second riff. Listen to Sabbath. Would you remove Geezer's bass parts?

[@TheTenCentStory]

As a teenager, I always wondered what notes were the bass on Metallica records and now I know why...lol It's just funny because with other bands it's obvious.

[@Omar_E11]

I think it was a sign of grievance from the band after the tragedy of Cliff. "This is what we sound like without Cliff" Still though it wasn't cool that they didn't talk it out with Newsted beforehand. Jason was definitely given the proper treatment in the Black Album though, the low end sounded great in that record. Hetfield has sounded regrets over Justice's final mix in recent years.

[@sophiafortyfour]

Consciously or unconsciously, I’ve always thought this too!

[@OneRageyBoii]

its really annoying to keep reading the "cliff" excuse for shitting on jason lol its such a stupid way for them to go about things

[@Omar_E11]

@@OneRageyBoii They never used that excuse for the mixing of this record.

[@mydixiewrecked315]

*too little,too late -James*

[@mydixiewrecked315]

Hetfield has sounded regrets over Justice's final mix in recent years. Not enough to do anything about it's occurance, unfortunately.>:^/

[@jamescotner2459]

Why does Garage Days sound so good though? I wish they would have just stood back from it for just a moment, then realize hmmm, more bass.

[@HeavyRaiden]

If only

[@baron_von_brunk]

Girls: "Release the Snyder Cut!" Boys: "Release the Newsted Cut."

[@MaddogJones]

What's a "Snyder Cut"?

[@Doomzdayxx]

Men: "Justice sounds good just as it is..."

[@nathandean8470]

@@MaddogJones lmao, it's a different version of the justice league movie

[@crnkmnky]

@@MaddogJones … And Justice League For All?

[@ImYourOverlord]

@@Doomzdayxx That's what stupid people say.

[@Norman-Bates-60]

Needs more bass cowbell.

[@mydixiewrecked315]

Well Played,Norman,well played.

[@frasty2256]

They should remaster the album and add Jason on bass

[@unromanoarecareanaveragero8275]

Here comes ...And Justice For Jason!

[@frasty2256]

@@unromanoarecareanaveragero8275 Nume misto lol

[@unromanoarecareanaveragero8275]

@@frasty2256 Hey, ești român(că) și tu 😃!

[@frasty2256]

@@unromanoarecareanaveragero8275 da da. suta la suta roman

[@ImYourOverlord]

Word around the water cooler is that the band has no plans to ever do that.

[@greghooper9797]

Someone released an alternate album called, "In Justice for Jason" and its so much better with his bass dialed in

[@angelofverdun456]

It really is. AJFA was a favorite in my youth, but hearing it with bass was breathtaking. Like a whole new album

[@CGJUGO80]

Ahdy Khairat is much better. Damn near flawless remasters.

[@greghooper9797]

@@CGJUGO80 cool! I'll check it out!

[@bluecomet1109]

No shit dude everyone knew this for a couple years now

[@samuelvelez1643]

It sounds WAY BETTER than the original release

[@Erinski]

This seems like excuses. The sound engineer confirmed Lars just told him to turn the bass all the way down, and there's tons of interviews of the guys just talking about how they hazed the shit out of Jason because he wasn't Cliff. This is revisionism. Turning the bass down and bringing the mids and highs foward is one thing. You could not hear the bass on the album at all.

[@treeherder2201]

Jason was too good for them.

[@hulksmash8159]

What's interesting is that Jason was very much front and center on the $5.98 E.P..

[@JPX64Channel]

and the bass is HUGE in that record, which in the back of it it says ''not very produced by metallica'' so they werent involved in the mixing process, just recorded their tracks and left the studio

[@tombakabones274]

That's okay Jason everybody I know whenever we listen to that album we turned the bass up on our own personal stereos and turned the trouble down sounded better that way 🤘🤘

[@sonofliberty92]

I'm pretty sure that's not how that works

[@tombakabones274]

@@sonofliberty92 yeah I couldn't tell you I'm not a sound tech 🙂

[@sonofliberty92]

The bass instrument and the bass frequency are not the same thing. The bass guitar is basically a glue and a support structure for the guitar and drums. It's also it's own lead instrument. It keeps the recording from sounding dry and bottomless. You can turn the bass frequency all the way up and you won't get what a bass guitar does to the actual recording. I've been an active bass guitarist for 15 years. You don't need to be a sound tech to understand, you just need to have a decent pair of ears and a love for music.

[@markusaurelius777]

That doesn't do SHIT Tom/B aka bones. You can't fix a shitty mix by doing that...the bass is non existent.

[@ImYourOverlord]

Trouble? 😂

[@farming4g]

Listening to remasters with actual basslines in Justice, I don't think I can ever listen to the originals again... the bass adds so much more.

[@SnakePlissken001]

I never listen to the studio tracks for "...And Justice For All", because it's so underwhelming without the bass. The live performances on the other hand, are exceptional.

[@billbored8277]

Saw an interview lately with Lars and James where they understood why Jason left, they get it. And are surprised he lasted so long in the band, with the way they treated him and stifled his creativity.

[@Highrollinhunter]

Dude I agree with Newsted. Metallica always does something stupid like turning down the bass on AJFA and suing Napster.

[@ryant390]

Suing Napster was a good thing. People just dont want to admit that

[@ryanwicks7069]

So if someone stole your art and work that you put your time, effort and alot of your money making, you'd be all good with it, huh?

[@Highrollinhunter]

@@ryanwicks7069 nope but back the the Napster thing was stupid now it makes sense.

[@WeLuv9x5]

Jason gave Metallica a whole new level of musicality!

[@redrick8900]

By duplicating the rhythm guitar?

[@jookplays8026]

He’s got a point, all early Metallica albums lack bass, n like cmon how can you turn down CLIFF BURTON??

[@BatFan1]

you can still hear Cliff; his bass wasnt turned down to the level of Jason on AJFA, there's a difference.

[@redrick8900]

@@BatFan1 The bass is much louder on Justice than the previous two albums. On Justice the bass isn't even turned down, just the high end. The low end of the bass is still shaking the house.

[@abidababida7096]

Jason was always an outsider to Lars and James. He replaced Cliff and they were mourning Cliff so they took it out on Jason. It’s a shame they never really opened up to him cause he has more talent than both of them. Fans accepted him right from the get go… and that says a lot cause Cliff was a very popular mwmber of that band

[@truthcantbesilenced4533]

Jason definitely does not have more talent than James.

[@cstbrent81]

I think losing Cliff unexpectedly had a lot to do with Jason never getting a say. Was always fun to watch Jason live!

[@thundarrisaboss2725]

Some youtuber uploaded the entire album with him playing Jason's bass lines. It's REALLY good. Dude nailed it. "One", in particular, really stands out. It really needs the bass. But the OG version is awesome too.

[@JorshWarshington1]

My theory: They were bummed about Cliff's death. They turned down the bass 'cause their bass player was gone. They just didn't give a fuck. It's still one of the best albums ever.

[@mydixiewrecked315]

they should NOT have toured for the record with Jason on the stage playing the bass lines to the songs, they did the guy DIRTY-Jason has class to go along with all of the shit he took. when Metallica toured "Stadiums" in support for ... and justice for all. they made sure that the bathroom stalls had "Jason Newstead toilet paper" because you can give the guy shit and he takes it.

[@johnnyguillotine1673]

Why dontcha gargle the balls more... It's not a great album. It should be treated like they treated the music... They weren't being "Metal" unless metal is acting like Pampered petulant children.

[@texasturner2313]

James said “We wanted the best sounding record……” Really !?? I honestly hope James doesn’t really think AJFA is the best sounding album they could make. When’s the official AJFA remix coming out ?

[@Graveyard_666]

I feel Jason's pain. I remember our singer got upset because I put new strings on my bass before a gig. "Turn that shit down man." Lol what a puss.

[@Ottophil]

New strings are bright sounding. I wouldnt have changed volumes just turned the treble knob down a little bit

[@ImYourOverlord]

Wow, that sucks, and as a bass guitarist, I hate and resent when other band members try to stick their nose into my musical business.

[@Ottophil]

@@ImYourOverlord as a guitar player I always loved the bass volumes on justice. The guitars sound so much thicker when they get all those bass freq’s to themselves

[@ImYourOverlord]

@@Ottophil It would be interesting (to me, at least) to run parts of the album through some kind of audio spectrum analyzer to see what the lowest frequencies are that the music takes up. That way, we could see what's missing on the bottom. As has been mentioned, when listening to the album, we can turn up the bass on whatever system we're listening through, but that won't be quite the same as hearing actual bass lines.

[@ignisraendl3721]

grew up on the Justice album. can understand the no bass thing. back then your average stereo wasn't like modern equipment. you really had to eq to the volume etc.

[@catsaregovernmentspies]

The bass on that album as it was distorted the speakers in my 1979 Camaro. GM used to put crappy ass speakers in their vehicles.

[@mydixiewrecked315]

@@catsaregovernmentspies metallica just kept a crappy ass drummer that ruined Every conceivable notion of a heavy Metal Band.

[@samportillo7635]

ooof, it's sad to hear the "Metallica/Jason" thing, SOOO hard to feel cause I've ALWAYS loved Metallica, and Jason is a great bass player

[@GRude420]

Thank god you put this video out in 2021.. only 33 years after the album came out.

[@grobinson7507]

I would be pissed off too. I can’t stand Lars.

[@ericcartmansstrengthandpow5960]

He's a Danish dwarf and literally married to a transgender male.

[@harrycollins3248]

@@ericcartmansstrengthandpow5960 Where did you get that from?

[@titanfighter12]

And he's an awful drummer

[@crnkmnky]

@@ericcartmansstrengthandpow5960 I have no idea wtf “literally married to a transgender male” is supposed to imply. I don’t know or care about Ulrich’s personal or professional life, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve literally got your terminology backwards.

[@ImYourOverlord]

He's always been the weakest link in the band...and it's his band! 😂

[@mattdad8429]

I believe James when he says it was a sonic situation - where they'd be coming back from a run of gigs, jet-lagged due to flying across the country, fiddling with mixes, drinking heavily, cocaine usage, abundance of yes-men, etc. It was all of that. It wasn't purely hazing, but more likely just inexperience from a mixing perspective and exhaustion. It really was a turning point for them, and they wanted to start a new chapter of their lives. They weren't interested in making MoP part 2. I think they accomplished what they set out to accomplish whether it affected Jason's life or not.

[@levistoner]

I read on an interview years ago that Jason thought the sound they captured for Garage Days was going to evolve into something a bit cleaner and smoother for Justice, boy it sure was, so clean it was sterile.

[@jlopez65]

I agree with Jason! One of the best sounding Hard Rock LP was the Love/Hate LP that featured Blackout in a Redroom. Skid, the bass player in the band, was the Principal song writer and made sure that there was not only bass guitar, but also crushing low end on the album and in Live performances!!

[@somewhatsomething4882]

Jlopez 👍 yeah BITRR was a great album with a great sound compared to most other releases at the time.

[@FlyingGuillotine]

If you can get your hands on the …AJFA multitracks, the basslines Jason played were amazing

[@impendingdoom385]

100% they were devastating. And his sound was killer.

[@Xtianisms]

Much respect to Cliff and Rob but Metallica with Jason is my classic line up

[@JustK009]

Justice for Jason Remix the f’ckn album & give Jason his due!

[@Doomzdayxx]

Jason has his "due". In the form of many millions of dollars and a luxurious life.. He'll be fine. Relax.

[@thereisnopandemic]

@@Doomzdayxx well give the fans their due. We need a complete band which includes bass playing.

[@ImYourOverlord]

All fans should have shunned and shamed the band relentlessly and forced them to do the right thing.

[@Guanjyn]

James never stood up to Lars and just went with what he said all the time.

[@marpsr]

F-ing Lars. Maybe worry more about keeping more steady time and less about making yourself front and center in the mix.

[@beeemm2578]

He's nowhere near skilled enough to be front and center of anything musical

[@markusaurelius777]

Lars used to be great on drums. With every passing year, he gets worse LMAO

[@adibabdullah6633]

Lars always doing something dumb 🤷🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

[@imalright2837]

Slow day in the rock news circuit huh

[@rikyannieh6119]

They were at their absolute best with Jason. Can’t name a single song of note since his departure.

[@mikekrause3671]

Cliff was the best i think . he was unique .

[@animalmother1582]

When I was about 13 and first heard Justice, and throughout my teens, I wondered where the bass was. Justice in particular is definitely a guitar album. And it's sound is incredible. There have always been particular parts in songs where having the bass up seems to created speaker distortion. Justice is practically flawless and it is what it is. But, hearing the adjusted mixes with Jason in there there were several songs that were just like, "ARE YOU KIDDING???? YOU TOOK THAT OUT????" . Blackened, especially. Metallica should officially release a mix with Jason's bass remastered. Or, better yet, they should let Flemming do it and just sit back and catch the cash with a net. I'm glad Jason finally spoke up about this.

[@hinjurock70]

I think this interview is from a while back. And I never noticed the bass was low until years later - I didn't really pay that much attention to bass. I think most listeners don't, unless they're bass players or really into bass.

[@RobertCuillo]

@@hinjurock70 Listen to Iron Maiden and then listen to Metallica you will notice Metallica is missing something.

[@hinjurock70]

@@RobertCuillo Iron Maiden's bass mix is louder than most metal bands because Steve Harris is basically a lead bassist and also the band leader.

[@RobertCuillo]

@@hinjurock70 which makes them awesome

[@hinjurock70]

@@RobertCuillo In their own way, yes, but prominent bass like that wouldn't work in most metal bands. Especially heavier bands like Metallica who has a more distorted bass-heavy guitar tone - Maiden's guitar tone is much cleaner and more trebly than Metallica's, in case you haven't noticed, which allows the bass to stand out more.

[@TheStp77]

After cliff’s death they were going on without a bassist ( probably in mourning after loosing a friend/brother/family)someone (i forget who but seen it in a documentary) told them “ok guys you need a bassist” I feel like they were trying to prove a point like “no we don’t” that part is personal opinion, its a shame because live Jason was a beast and made them sound just that much better and what Metallica fan doesn’t like creeping death live with Jason. Just shows what they passed up.

[@pavolv1686]

I prefer Justice the way it is. I don't like the unofficial "bass added" versions of it that flooded KZbin. This mighty drums-guitars sound is what makes Justice even more special.

[@ImYourOverlord]

But it's not balanced. The music needs bass guitar.

[@AnnoyingOrange420]

It sounds like shit, the album is amazing but lack of bass isn’t an artistic choice, it was Lars and James being both stupid, not knowing how to mix, and assholes excluding Jason

[@pavolv1686]

@@AnnoyingOrange420 I disagree. In the history all kinds of musical pieces have been written and performed for various combinations of musical instruments. I see your point, it does not match the universal sonic formula of what is considered to be correct in rock music BUT I personally consider this album the kind of it's own. As for mixing, I see it very well an integral part of the whole creative process especially when composers (Lars, James) took lead and basically mixed it the way THEY heard it at the time. I understand majority of people would like to have it done properly but I always kind of disliked the idea of artificially improving the album that seemed right to its creators back decades ago. Even though they might have changed their attitude meanwhile. Even though I do feel sorry for Jason. I just consider Justice right without bass, I don't miss it.

[@ImYourOverlord]

@@AnnoyingOrange420 Absolutely. The decision was completely unfair, and made the album less great than it could have and should have been. The record label should never have released it in that condition, but instead demand that it be mixed properly.

[@GypsyDanger514]

I truly hope they open this song back up and turn Jason back up and remaster it for a new release.

[@mydixiewrecked315]

I agree Dennis,dust off the recording reels and do proper "justice" with a remix. Keep Lars FAR AWAY from the mixing console & out of the mixing booth in general.

[@Xuxixnywhwj1725]

Thats why live concerts were far far ahead than recorded songs

[@countingsheep5483]

Thank you for clearing up that 1988 mystery that no one knows about.

[@HeathenDance]

It's kind of creepy how people don't get tired of this subject lol...

[@cokerockstop2]

Ya, lol I love metallica but this is old news ha

[@DeweyJHall1]

Yeah, really. If it ain't this, its the same Dave mustiane stories we've heard a million times

[@nicholaschase768]

I agree, like, can we please move on.

[@CarloNassar]

And also how some people say that anyone that was part of it, in this case being Lars (I'm not going to slam James for it because I don't think he could help at all, since the dude has hearing loss) is still an awful person now. This isn't like sexual assualt.

[@HeathenDance]

@@CarloNassar Recently, Jason's favourite pass time is to clean dirty laundry in public, regarding his past with Metallica. Every era is being attacked. I personally respect people who say things in due time, in your face. Not the other way around.

[@arsxxmoriendi]

Oh how I wish Mustaine snatched up Newstead when he had a chance. I would LOVE to hear Jason playing Ellefsons lines and writing his own. Gotta appreciate how Dave was never so insecure as to cut any instruments out of a mix. In fact he always seemed to seek out guitarists that were even better than him. Any of Megadeths drummers could play circles around Lars semi-comatose. Go listen to isolated drums on Wake Up Dead. Gar was an animal!

[@doh4828]

Let’s not forget, people, that this is about the AJFA-recording sessions. Fresh after Cliff’s death. No one will (or can) deny that Jason’s bass is prominent on the Black album and every album henceforth. It’s nice to hear Jason’s insights into this, but that is also nothing new. Jason played in Metallica for 14 years so despite Lars’ prefixes he remained a a very integral part of the band nonetheless. And yes, AJFA sounds much better with bass, from an engineering point of listening. In the end it’s all on Lars (and James for not going against him)

[@CarloNassar]

I heard after some research that James was *deaf* at that time. Do you really think he'd be able to do anything about it?

[@kelleygieger1598]

Jason was always my favorite

[@bahrcode]

And justice for Jason

[@tonybp]

Most fans say MOP is their favorite Metallica album, mine is AJFA and it's weird because I'm a bass player. I love the songs, the riffs, the arrangements, etc. and the overall vibe of that album. Having said that, it did frustrate me a bit that there was no bass especially after hearing the amazing $5.98 E.p. Garage Days album where the bass sounds amazing. And that thing about the hearing being shot... my eyes hurt from the eyeroll, c'mon James. Jason came into a band in its darkest time, with a lot of bullying and resentment because of no proper mourning (James actually said he resented Jason because he felt Jason had it too easy to just come in and fill in Cliff's shoes, and he was also annoying because Jason was too much of a fan of Metallica, or something along those lines) and Jason still poured his heart and soul into the band. No disrespect to Trujillo, he's a bad ass player that can play anything and any style, but Jason was a better fit and gave the band a huge stage presence. With Rob I feel he's just the freelance guy the band hired to play bass. Anyway, I have a ton of respect and admiration for Jason, and he's just the coolest guy.

[@ImYourOverlord]

Absolute agree, bass brother! Jason brought a whole lot more to the band than bass playing alone. I felt he did all he could to try to encourage and keep alive the band's spirit. He poured his whole being into the band, especially in their live performance, and they never appreciated that as they should have. Then, by the time of the Black Album, the rest of the band wanted to take a different direction, and stop creating serious works of Thrash Metal art, but that's what Jason signed on for, so for him, broken was the promise, betrayal (see what I did there?).

[@tonybp]

@@ImYourOverlord Ha ha yes I did see what you did there. Well said.

[@impendingdoom385]

@@ImYourOverlord I agree completely. Glad Jason got out on his own terms and didn't follow the God that failed... Snap!

[@TheTenCentStory]

I've changed my favorite over the decades yet Ride the Lighting is my current favorite.

[@jabberdouche]

The right thing to do would be to either remix it with his bass tracks louder or allow someone else to do it and release it as an alternative release, or something. But the sad truth is, they will never do it. The album and its lack of bass has become so mythical that even if it isn't done very well, most people would review it and say how much better it sounds with Jason's tracks. Lars and James both would never allow that.

[@ImYourOverlord]

I would so love to get my hands on the original recorded tracks, and mix and master them myself. I wouldn't charge much, but would require a studio. I can definitely do the work, and master and album that sounds like a billion bucks.

[@thehawk05]

Will never happen…….the original tapes are all trashed

[@Michael15_25]

That’s impossible. As a previous comment mentioned they recorded on tape and that original mix is long gone

[@ImYourOverlord]

@@thehawk05 That's tragic!

[@ImYourOverlord]

@@Michael15_25 Man, those reels should have been preserved! I recorded a demo with a band in 1992, and Robert Berry still has the 2" reel tape we used to record the basic tracks! My cassette copy of the demo is the first gen recording off the master DAT. Heh, this is all vintage tech by now ;)

[@skinny_sam]

I would have believed James and Lars if they would have actually remixed the AJFA rather than just a remaster. Having a remix would have a been a great apology to Jason and a way of saying « we regret how we treated you, now it’s your Time to shine on that one »

[@JosvaKMller]

You can hear bass on Kill'em all, Ride... and Master... Its the Justice album that needs some bass, the first 3 albums sounds great

[@smith97320]

RTL has very little bass. Haven't verified it but someone had mentioned Cliff wanted it higher on RTL.

[@marvintimke3978]

@@smith97320 Of cours he wanted his bass to be more audible. You can't really hear his bass solo in Call of Ktulu

[@ImYourOverlord]

The mixing could have been better in two ways, coming from my audio engineering and critical listening mind. One, the bass tracks could have been mixed to sound more clean and articulate, not dull and muffled as they come across. Two, the bass tracks could have been brought more forward in the mix, to be prominent enough to balance the guitars and sit properly with the drums. Every instrument in a studio recording needs to be heard and appreciated.

[@aljohnson334]

look up and justice for jason here on youtube to hear the album with his bass tracks turned way up. It's a shame they didn't include them because it's some of the best metal bass playing ever recorded

[@AFRoSHEENT3ARCMICHAEL69]

What they really need is a drummer who's actually passionate about drums.

[@tommorris2771]

Lars is no doubt passionate. They need a good drummer tho lol

[@Michael15_25]

Metallica would be nothing without Lars. He’s a main songwriter with James, I know it’s hard to imagine but it’s true.

[@AFRoSHEENT3ARCMICHAEL69]

@@Michael15_25 I know and he's great at it. Metallica wouldn't be Metallica without him.

[@AFRoSHEENT3ARCMICHAEL69]

I'm not talking down on Lars I believe him to be a great songwriter but I still stand by my statement lol

[@TheDoeboyjt]

I loved the album but love it even more with the bass on. It needs to be resold and renamed “In justice for Jason. Jason should get his 1/4 of sales on it.

[@Cincinnatus1869]

When I saw the band in the 90s it was Jason who sang the songs most people wanted to hear. He carried the band onstage

[@straycat1674]

I’ve seen a video where James Hetfield admitted that him and Lars understood why Jason left. How they stifled his creativity, and any real input he try to give. They regret it. But something tells me nothing’s changed as they are probably too old to change now.

[@douglassnodgrass7002]

I have never liked lars since the Napster fiasco.

[@Solairethedarksoul]

There’s a sweet version of the album right here on KZbin: And Justice for Jason…

[@ARG0T]

Rock Feed at it again with the same things we've known for 33 years. Truly great content let me tell you

[@Desertbynight]

Well if anyone doesn’t know it, just search And justice for Jason, so you’ll hear what a good job he did actually