Jason Newsted: Stifled by Metallica

Young and hungry, a 23-year old Jason Newsted would join Metallica in 1986 on the heels of tragedy, but the path of fame and fortune was paved with just as many pitfalls as rewards. Through a 14-year tenure in the world's biggest heavy metal band, he'd come to find that above all else, respect was of his highest priorities...
I'm very excited to share this new documentary with you all!
Thanks goes to all of you on KZbin who have taken the time to preserve Metallica's many performances in high quality over the years!
A very special thanks to Dylan Donkin for pointing me in the right direction for the Echobrain clips, as well as to Brian Sagrafena for hosting many clips on his website (slothmountainstudios.com).

[@adarkerstandard]

A quick correction: At around the 5 and a half minute mark I mistakenly state that Cliff Burton passed on September 26th 1986, when it was in fact September 27th.

[@adarkerstandard]

@@redghettosunif you’re referring to the bit about Cliff during the James/Jason/Echobrain section, I was talking about James being 22, not Cliff. That being said, I just used the year to pinpoint age, but I think James might’ve been 23 for a month or so at that point.

[@dv8322]

An unforgivable mistake. You must now face eternity in hell. 👿👿👿 Just kidding, you're all good.😇😇😇

[@boogiewoogit5597]

Now you are claiming James was NEVER 22?????? Is that what you are saying??? I’m just messin witcha, utube comment sections is bizarro land. But seriously, it smells like Queef salad sandwich and aqua velva in here, can u try some Febreze or something, I’m literally gagging almost. I wish you guys could smell where my watch has been the last 3 days, ripe & reestie, btw go look out yer front window right now. U were too easy to find

[@criptard]

Fo

[@triggerskull]

Was probably still 26th in America so you were kinda right :d

[@crashburn3292]

What has always impressed me about Newsted is even after he left Metallica, he never bad-mouthed Hetfield or Ulrich. He simply stated why he felt the need to leave while remaining gracious and thankful for the opportunity they gave him. He's a classy guy.

[@Mike-oz5pp]

Jay was a better fit I say. No disrespect but C Burton was way overrated anyways...

[@miserychannel666]

NDA

[@dez1989]

Jason is a class act. Just like Michael Anthony of VH. He was treated like shit too and he never spoke a negative word toward anyone. Most bass musicians seem to have a good head on their shoulders.

[@boneappletea3858]

​@miserychannel666 if there was an NDA signed it wouldn't be indefinite. Plus, he's already told the story many times along with metallica. Dude said he never bad mouthed them. No NDA would let someone spill all the beans yet prevent solely "bad mouthing". Lol that's silly.

[@trashyardonline]

@@Mike-oz5ppoverrated? did you ever listen to metallicas isolated bass tracks? pure skill, to call him overrated is disrespectful but they again we are entitled to our own opinions

[@FullConcerts100]

Here we go! Jason was always that extra edge Metallica needed on the live show. Never been the same without him imo

[@stevesun3658]

F!ckin love your channel !

[@lasher5520]

I agree. His playing style made the live shows heavier, his backing vocals made the shows meaner. Their shows were better with him

[@markcheetah4960]

​@@lasher5520Yep. He sang great backup vocals. They don't have anyone in the band who can sing backups in concert now.

[@BrainWasherAttendent]

Very true. They a bit goofy with rob.

[@Americanlightingandfixture]

Way better with Jason, there’s nothing else to say

[@QuakeGamerROTMG]

"You aren't allowed to make music outside of Metallica!" "oh so can I write music for Metallica?" "No, you just sit there and don't make too much noise"

[@MetaITurtle]

Quad Machine

[@apanapandottir205]

Didnt he write blackened?

[@Loner_Kun]

​@@apanapandottir205 he did. The guitar riff is his but those contributions are very rare during his tenure.

[@truthhurts79]

Which is why Jason is overrated... Because he contributed very little to Metallica.... You just like Jason cuz of his headbanging 😂

[@truthhurts79]

​@@apanapandottir205 a "part" not the entire song 🙄

[@mikecassell8953]

The way James and Lars treated him is disgraceful. He must have incredibly strong patience and will power to have stayed with them as long as he did. He has a heart of gold and they can get bent.

[@boogiewoogit5597]

Jason is truly a gentleman and those guys were major dicks to him, completely unnecessary. Like so many times in life, says more about the person redlining the dick meter than it does the person being abused.

[@chuckweber542]

Well im sure the fame and money was a big reason why he stayed not saying its the only reason he stayed for 15 years.

[@mikecassell8953]

@@chuckweber542 that’s probably true

[@Nekropiate666]

​@@chuckweber542 the money probably, the fame doubtful.

[@Benjawin6671]

I mean, let's be real. Cliff was irreplaceable. He was James's best friend, and to have someone who was not only as talented as him but also someone who was as close as he was to James be taken away like that, the way James treated Jason makes a whole lot of sense.

[@DasTarD]

Met Jason in 1996, damn he was such a nice guy, totally down to earth, always there for the fans.

[@Mike-oz5pp]

Without Bob Rock they would NOT be who they became at all!!! Just imagine The Black album produced by Lars & James just like Justice was recorded, it Woulda sucked even more than it did/does. But it def woulda showed the world that it was Bob that saved Metallica's ass BIGTIME...FACTZ!

[@sarajamus]

He was Metallica. Without him I won’t buy anything with that brand name on it.

[@MrMOGHammer]

@@Mike-oz5ppfacts are that their other 4 album before that went platinum and they were already big, what bob rock did was to put the live vibe on a studio recording, with arena style songs all written by metalllica btw. He did not tell them how to write those songs or play them the way they ended up sounding. But he harnessed all the power of the stage into the mastering and recording of the album. If they became huge after that was kind of a happy accident tbh. They were already a huge act. Bob Rock did not save Metallica, he made them legendary. And how best to do it then to reproduce the vibe of live shows onto a studio record. That’s why this album became a staple in heavy metal history.

[@saigawesnovember]

In 1994 I met Jason, he was friends with a guy I worked with. I met him at a club called Magnolias in Santa Rosa, ca. we had a couple Heinekens. He was playing with a band called Long Ass Johnny, with John Marshall of Metal Church.met him too. Shit I’m 6’5” and John Marshall had to be 6’7” anyway I called my buddy Aaron who loved Newstead and I told him Jason’s here get your butt down here. As I was on the pay phone Jason walked towards the bathroom,whitch the phone was next too and I asked Jason to tell him to get his ass down here. He was there in 20 minutes,great night. I still can’t believe Jason took the time out to talk to my friend.

[@olatutuakinyelure9680]

I'm from Kalamazoo Mich. My brother was friends with one of Jason's friends Gary restvin heaven Gary.

[@conradsz]

How is height relevant in any of this ?

[@saigawesnovember]

@@conradsz that’s what you took from this?

[@boblambert-ir8ow]

Yeah....ok

[@briarthompson9315]

Jason is the GOAT he gave everything he had when he was in Metallica, it’s a real shame they couldn’t appreciate what he did more when he was in the band

[@shamelesskindness]

Go Only At Turds

[@edwinh7908]

GOAT? Thought Jason is a human being.....

[@kopparhast5921]

I like how you laid that out: from your 11 y.o. self/your perspective to, now, your opinion. A refreshing departure from Newsted is the GOAT = FACTS!!! and other ludicrous shite like that. Every member had/had their part in making MetallicA what it is and all members deserve respect.

[@shamelesskindness]

@@edwinh7908 just another new age abbreviation

[@briarthompson9315]

@@kopparhast5921 bro what

[@briandarazs6620]

Jason was a beast on stage. Live, he outperformed them all.

[@Kirk_Hammett_Bit_Me]

Hell, yeah!

[@JG31392]

Cliff was the heart of Metallica. Jason was the soul.

[@andrewosullivan348]

@@martinkuliza close he is the crabs. I jest :) rob is grand but has no personality imo. Jason in his imposed limited capacity managed to be a vital part of Metallica's live performance. The Jason/James live combo is one of if not the best live combo ever. James/Rob does not even register there is no chemistry there. No respect to Rob

[@andrewosullivan348]

@@martinkuliza ill agree to agree with that so we are in agreement 😀

[@triggerskull]

And rob the mud? 😈

[@fcrfortes]

Lars is the brains, James is the heart, Jason was the lungs, Cliff was the bones. Rob and Kirk are the braids and mustache, respectively

[@Soldier_Sean]

And robert trujillo is the crabs in metallica's public hair

[@jasoncarter9356]

I was 11 when I first heard One. Changed my life. Newsted was the bass player at the most influencial time in my life and for me no one can replace his presence and backing vocals live, period.

[@swirlingfudge]

I think the bass sound on ‘One’ totally suits the mood of the song - the desperate uphill struggle of the narrator - a thicker bass wouldn’t suit it.

[@JPR17]

Same here

[@JPR17]

​@@HeathenDancedisagree

[@boogiewoogit5597]

Newsted didn’t play bass on that song, that was CC Deville that day. Rudy Sarzo played on most of the tracks that album

[@jasoncarter9356]

@@boogiewoogit5597 I think it was actually james jamison playing bass on that track

[@Justin-hb6cg]

When I met Metallica backstage after one of their Nowhere Left To Roam shows, Jason was by far the nicest and the most down to earth. James didn’t even show his face.

[@romaretaylor9953]

That was late black album era right? Yea James wasn’t in a very good place at this time so that was likely for the better 😂

[@Justin-hb6cg]

@@romaretaylor9953 Yes. Good point.

[@k-ondoomer]

​@@romaretaylor9953 the fans make the band, dude could of at least out a face on for his back stage fans. How rude

[@bjjrhino]

What a wonderful celebration of Jason, thank you.

[@nicks288]

I wish Jason was still with Metallica. He deserved so much better.

[@Benjawin6671]

Idk. Robert is way better.

[@poindextertunes]

if he deserved better why would you still want him to be in the band? 😅

[@richardharmon647]

I don't know leaving the band was probably the best decision that he made in his life. They just didn't appreciate him nobody needs to go through that crap even if it is for the money.

[@Ash-nq1qo]

you want him to be unhappy? so strange..

[@JimNedCreek]

​@screaminsonic6671 Robert is horrible. Nikki Sixx is a better bass player than Robert and Nikki can't even play the bass.

[@TheSaintedOne]

The most amazing thing about Jason, to me, is his memory. Dude can tell you which string Kirk broke in Minneapolis 34 years ago.

[@4md17]

😂 right?

[@UncleUncleRj]

Maybe he has what is called "Total Recall" (it's not just a movie title!) - only a handful of people on the planet have it. Marilu Henner has it. You can ask her about details from any date in her life and she can tell you what she had for breakfast, what she was wearing... every little detail about that day...

[@sunnyberlin3521]

Which one was it? I missed that interview

[@babywah3290]

@@UncleUncleRjI think Dakota Fanning has that ability, too. It’s how she got so much work in the beginning of her younger years doing commercials.

[@MrMOGHammer]

@@babywah3290and nowadays what is she doing? Have not seen her in a movie for a long time now… I liked her acting even when she was still a kid.

[@tonytlly]

Became a fan of Metallica at the age of 17 in 87. Jason will forever be the bassit for Metallica in my mind.

[@fernfernacelli]

Jason Newsted is my biggest influence as a performer, and as a bassist. I was lucky enough to meet him when he was in Echobrain. Just... the coolest dude ever. Bonus note: Anyone else catch the shirt Jason's wearing in the Flotsam & Jetsam promo pic at 3:47?... Great documentary; thank you kindly. \m/, 😊 ,\m/

[@andrepaul3483]

I only discovered Jason and his time on Metallica just 2 years ago. And I was smitten by his stage presence. The man is a MONSTER onstage. I mean, I even picked up the bass recently thanks to him. James and Lars being antagonistic on him is just immature. Yes,they never processed Cliff's death properly. But the way they went about it is still immature and harmful. Thank you for this video. Love how you mapped it out.

[@kl8455]

guessing you know that Jason was the bassist for the thrash band Flotsam & Jetsam and played on at least their debut album. Doomsday for the Deceiver is a fantastic album. the have other good albums too. \m/

[@andrepaul3483]

@@kl8455 listened to it and WOW! Thrash Metal at their finest. Still learning on how to play his bass lines on it.

[@kl8455]

@@andrepaul3483 they have a bunch of great albums. Troy Gregory was the bassist on the album When the Storm Comes Down. that whole album is badass. never had the patience to learn an instrument. good luck to you and Thrash on.

[@DeathMetalThrasher]

I definitely respect Jason. The dude is a talented , but very humble person

[@TransDelek]

15:45 Have you seen the interview with Steve Thompson about his experience mixing Justice? He states that he turned the bass essentially off on explicit direction from Lars and James. He doesn't go into specifics about why but as he describes it the lack of bass on the album was a deliberate choice on their part. He also describes he hated the direction the band was taking the album and wanted to quit, but was talked into staying.

[@adarkerstandard]

Indeed, I chose to keep the perspectives a bit more exclusive to the band. If he had gone into more detail in his interview I would’ve likely spliced that clip in.

[@kylebrady969]

Exactly. It was 100% intentional. Hell, I think Thompson even says in that same interview that Lars apparently asked him if he turned the bass back up during the RRHOF induction.

[@guydammit3287]

I saw that.

[@trevorclark7985]

dude, you’re so knowledgeable about this stuff. Usually these documentaries leave out stuff like the AJFA Flemming bass mixing debacle from that one loudwire video, clearly you researched well.

[@adarkerstandard]

You don’t know how much I appreciate that! I really wanted to get into the weeds with some of the details I hadn’t explored with the Load/Re-Load video

[@scottfielding6179]

When I saw them in '89 in Seattle, Jason was without a doubt, a massive energy ball that the whole audience fed off of. Even seeing them during the poor me tour, I was always impressed with his unrelenting effect on the show.

[@mkl5448]

It took a big man to get out of that situation. He was too good for them anyway while knowing their best music was clearly behind them.

[@clayfoster8234]

As a 30 yr old in 2004 I was super critical of James in the Metallica/newstead feud. However, as a 50yr old today, I have a tremendous amount of understanding for James unresolved childhood trauma.

[@ktompa77]

100000% with you

[@mertmunson1417]

Hahahahaha what a joke!!! You have any idea how many people have had a worse childhood than poor little James and are great and compassionate human beings??? And they don’t have some douchey excuse of “waaahhh my mommy and daddy were mean” Man up!!!! You’re only brought down by what you let bring you down! James is a douche!!! And not just because he wasn’t hugged enough or whatever bullshit excuse.

[@rapid13]

The 2 are not mutually exclusive.

[@liamgreat8024]

​@Abefroman1812🤓

[@majinkentssj4]

Jason newsted was the one who made me want to pick up the bass guitar 🙂

[@grilledspaghetti]

Got the 5.98 EP like everyone els3, skeptical of the new kid, like everyone else I was won over. Just to have him missing on Justice. That still burns.

[@DROOtoob]

Jason was the hero Metallica needed, but didn't deserve.

[@ProfessorKenneth]

Jason was perfect for Metallica 👍🏻🤘🏻🎸 since he left I don't listen to anything they've done since. Music isn't the same. I miss the old days.

[@turningjapanese6032]

Finally a decent documentary on the man that brought the energy to the band 👍🤙🖖

[@nikolakrastev8880]

Jason is my favourite member they have ever had.

[@ThotdFan127]

I honestly didn't want this video to end it was so well done! What is crazy is I along with practically no one knew about the IR8 incident just the Echobrain one. Drinking James was a real pest at times and Lars.... well he's Lars.

[@dag9336]

Cliff made me love bass, Jason made me pick it up. I found myself mimicking him since I can remember, still do this day. I think rob is a tremendous bass player and an even greater guy, but Jason …had something else. Both jumped on that train going a thousand miles tn hour that is Metallica….the difference is, rob was let into the locomotive, enjoying the ride and giving his best to have the train staying on tracks. Jason was on the top of the goddamn train screaming at the top of his lungs.

[@heartbeatsdrum]

Will always be a Newsted fan. Not only because of him being the bassist when I discovered them in the early 90's, but because of his energy, skill and vibes playing the music he loves. Jason rules.

[@Necropheliac]

I know exactly what it feels like to be an outsider even long after you’ve been brought into the inside. It sucks. It feels like you’re just being used and not a legitimate member of the group. It’s worse than never being brought inside in the first place. I think Robert Trujillo was never treated like this because before Metallica he had earned his stripes outside of Metallica and just didn’t care because he could play bass for any metal act that needed a session or touring musician. Jason was a tragic victim of the Ulrich/Hetfield mean girls club. Jokes on them, Jason came in at the hight of Metallica’s journey and left early on the decline. Jason got the best of Metallica and avoided the worst. Jason avoided getting flushed down the Metal toilet like the rest of Metallica and for that, I think he got the better end of the deal.

[@adarkerstandard]

I firmly believe all they needed was a year off and a chance to communicate for once. Sucks to know that everywhere Jason turned, he saw someone that he couldn’t relate to. Lars didn’t care anymore, but also didn’t care enough to help. Kirk probably saw the writing on the wall, but as per usual, isn’t the confrontational type and wasn’t going to help get these issues sorted…and James, well he was the spectre of disapproval. Outside of Metallica, he probably didn’t know anyone (in bands or otherwise) that felt as suffocated as he did.

[@aegisreflector1239]

Agreed

[@ktw70]

@@adarkerstandard I was surprised that Lars - or Q Prime, especially - didn't intervene. I feel like they could have easily told James to chill out and apologize to Jason and the whole thing would have been smoothed over.

[@boogiewoogit5597]

Well said

[@GusGus6969]

It's like just being an employer of a start up or family owned company that went viral but you're just looked at as one of the helpers(employees)

[@Lord_Raptor]

Oh my God. Dude. I heard that IR8 song like 20 years ago and couldn't figure out who did it. And now, after around 20 years of searching, I've finally found it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

[@HvyMetal4Ever]

I was introduced to Metallica via the black album when I was in Jr High. When I first heard "Misery" I was captivated. It was so hauntingly beautiful. Years later, I finally got to see them for the first time and was just blown away at his energy. Many years later (during the early days of Newsted) I had the opportunity to talk with him, and the rest of the band. We talked music and gear (He was gracious enough to sign my EMH Big Muff)and it was a moment I wish I could relieve over and over. We've chatted once or twice since then. He, and his wonderful wife, Nicole are just amazing humans. I will always be a fan of his. Just the metal stuff. He did a show in the Bay, and it was Rockabilly styled. It was a free show, in a restaurant....and the place was packed! He did record A LOT with the Chophouse band, and there have been discussions about releasing that material. I sure hope he does. VIVA LA NEWSTED! And for those who may not have known: Invisible Kid was written specifically about Jason.

[@justbenelson]

I became a Metallica fan when I was in Jr. High. At this point in history, Metallica had just released Load, so Jason was my inaugural Metallica bassist and Cliff Burton was just a confusing lost member on the back of older Metallica albums (the internet was still really new and I didn't use it until around 1998). As I became a die-hard Metallica fan through high school, I would soak up every drop of Metallica media I could find and I was nothing short of impressed with Jason's visual stage presence during their live shows. My best friend's older had gone to the Metallica show in Minneapolis when they were on their black album tour in1991 and actually managed to sneak in a video recorder and caught most of their act on VHS (you can actually find a different recording of it on KZbin). Watching it back in 1996 was insane, mostly because of Jason's awesome haircut, constant running around on stage and his inhuman backing vocals. As I was preparing to graduate in 2001, I read online that Jason was leaving the band. I was in shock. Those guys were meant to record music and tour for the rest of their lives...not leave one by one! Finally, in college Metallica, after a long hiatus, updated their webpage with a picture of the band, posing with their new bassist Robert. The vibe was gone, in my opinion. I know Metallica felt rejuvenated with Rob, but the guy just didn't feel like the right fit for the band. I'm sure 1st generation Metallica fans feel the same way about Jason, so that's why I refuse to have a toxic gatekeeping take on who is the better bassist (like many Metallica fans do), but I can't ignore my personal experience, coming in during Metallica's new 1990s era with Jason already set in place. I finally saw Metallica live in 2003 on their Summer Sanitarium tour in Minneapolis and again when they toured with Godsmack a year later, both with Rob, obviously. I'm glad I had the opportunity to see them in person, but man, was Jason's lack of presence felt. In my perfect world, Rob would step down here at what is seemingly near the end of Metallica's career and Jason would take up his old mantle as their bassist, but I know that would never happen for several reasons...but it certainly would be cool.

[@pdb1298]

I'd be happy if they just had Jason back for backing vocals for final album/tour

[@romaretaylor9953]

I get why the vibe was weird back then but 20 years later I feel like Rob earned his own positioning in the Metallica circle, favorite bassist or not. I def agree live wise Jason was def more entertaining and aesthetically (I guess) fit better.

[@Patrick-857]

Rob is a great player and clearly a really nice guy, but he will always be out of place imo. He belongs in an entirely different kind of band. Something funky and angular, more bass heavy. Like Korn. When I hear him clattering his 5 string under some of the classic songs I feel that it's very indicative of how much the other guys have changed. They would never have tolerated such a thing from Jason, and Cliff was Cliff, he was a major creative force in the early days and could do his thing. Poor Jason got nothing. No freedom, no creative output and no respect. At least Rob seems to contribute creatively, but the band hasn't released anything I really enjoyed in this century. They lost the magic, and their demons have taken their toll.

[@yogsenforfoth5948]

Jason is THE man. His monstrous bass playing has always kicked ass. 🤘

[@payamelahian7511]

I loved Jason as a Metallica member and I still love him. His live performances were whole another level.

[@datapusher-]

Its crazy. Jason's side projects would have been GOOD for Metallica if properly released.... especially IR8!

[@binks2413]

Jason is an amazing bassist and performer.

[@brendanhoppe227]

This definitely gave justice for Jason, glad you put this out 🤘

[@ahlija]

Always liked him, and I like him even more now for standing up for himself and what he thought was right. 🤘✌️

[@devilsorchard1449]

I've always liked Jason. He always just came off as a normal dude who just so happened to be in this massive rock band.

[@MrBikboi]

Jason was my favorite Metallica bassist, yes we know cliff is a deity essentially however Jason was THE bassist for me, his live energy and work ethic was phenomenal.

[@sebastianv.270]

For me Jason is to this day my favorite bass player of Metallica.

[@ronarmitagejr8758]

Great work man. This is the most accurate spot on documentary about Jason his exit and who he is as a person. Bravo. Getcha Pull.

[@IamAJoe]

I am a Cliff fan till the very end, but I love so much love and support for Jason and what he tried to do. The songs he did contributed to Metallica are some of the best and my favorites. And Justice is my favorite Metallica album, and I can only image how much better it could have been if James and Lars would have let him shine instead of treating him like he was trying to overcast what Cliff had archived. The fan recreations and edits from GH and Rock Band stems do give us a glimpse but we will never truly know what could have been.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

I got to open for Echobrain and met Jason. He just hung out in the street with us afterwards shooting the shit for a long time. He was so cool.

[@TheInfomancer]

I absolutely love Jason and was so saddened by his departure. I can’t believe I never heard of IR8 until now. Excellent job in researching and sticking to the band’s perspectives. Sad topic but the video is so well done. Thank you! I am about to check out your other Metallica videos.

[@yanasegeranyanasegeran2918]

Thank you for this lovely review of Jason 🙏

[@diabeticmonkey]

He fawking left the band!

[@unspeaky]

PERIOD; EXCLAMATION POINT; HAAAAH?!

[@KarmaNDuality]

What was clear, that James and Lars did not respect Jason, but commanded respect from Jason. And as much as I like Rob, I really wish they would have sat down like adults and worked things out with Jason, because he gave his blood, sweat, and tears for that band after Cliff died. It was nice to see James, Lars, & Kirk acknowledge that what they did to Jason was wrong, and stopped sort of apologizing in the interview. Jason did the right thing, and I have a lot of respect for a man that stands behind his beliefs, rather than back peddle on them. Great documentary man.

[@VanAnon51]

Cliff’s parents personally helped choose Jason. Therefore, Jason was the ONLY approved replacement for Cliff. Rob is a great bassist, but in my opinion he’s never been the right fit (such as with his bizarre crab walk around the stage).

[@mf5514]

@@VanAnon51 Ah that Fn crab walk argh!... Jason was who i grew up with in MetallicA, while yes they went soft (the AlternicA years of Load n Reload), Jason was still the dude. Look at Live Sh#t Binge n Purge, awesome stuff. While i love Rob in Suicidal Tendencies, he doesnt fit for me still. And 23 years later he still doesnt seem to fit, not that they have done anything memorable in that time.

[@Mr.F-ob4xg]

Only one person in Metallica makes me sick and that's lars he's the WORST drummer on the planet but has complete control of one the best bands on the planet it sucks because it's all about fame and clout for this guy dude let the guys breathe take a walk lars a long one.

[@WallerPictures]

@@mf5514 Nothing memorable in over 2 decades, in deed. No Jason, no Metallica.

[@boogiewoogit5597]

At a garage sale, I bought the exact pasta boiling pot that Lars used as a snare on St Anger. It’s gotta worth a lot by now

[@luchalibresongs8318]

Cliff is a legend. Robert is the face that a lot of fans met as the Metallica's bassist. But Jason was special, with him Metallica became the most pupular Metal band of the world everknown. It's such a shame that he recieves that kind of deal of James and Lars.

[@ArcturusAndromeda]

Jason was -and is - awesome. We all love Jason

[@anthawks9374]

Jason ..he made metallica even better.. ..😊

[@brianmcawesome]

Jason being the spirit of Metallica is not a hot take. He went harder than anyone, he was a second frontman. With him and James they sold the emotion of the music to the crowd. He was the fan stand in we could all relate to. Jason elevated Metallica to something it wasn't with just those 3, just like Cliff did in his own way. The failing of Metallica was not seeing that, because the way Jason excelled in the band wasn't the same way Cliff did.

[@dwaynegarfield1551]

LOVE YOU JASON!🤘YOU ARE PURE LEGEND AND SOARLY MISSED AND MISSED YOUR BACK UP AND VOCALS!!! 🎼🎸😎🙏💕MUCH LOVE!!!

[@OneLastFix]

I think Metallica needs to re-release Justice with Jason's bass boosted as an amends to Jason.

[@johnchedsey1306]

As a Voivod fan since 1988, I was thrilled when Jason managed to get them back together in the early 2000s. And his dedication to the Katorz & Infini albums (the ones pieced together from Piggy's demos after his passing) was incredible. Voivod has since found yet another life after his time with them, but I would wager none of this would have happened without his enthusiasm for that band. Genuinely seems like a good guy who never let fame go to his head.

[@Bubbles10181]

The problem is he came after cliff. Who is arguably one of the best bassists of all time, even at his young age. But I love Jason. His live presence was absolutely amazing. His hair whips were fucking amazing!

[@midnightcassettelibrary5171]

He’s a trooper for putting up with Lars that long without strangling him. At least as far as I know he didn’t haha.

[@victorbicudo1374]

WOW JASON IS REALLY A CREATIVE POWERHOUSE. EVERYTHING HE DID AFTER HE LEFT METALLICA (WITH ALL THE FREEDOM IN THE WORLD) ARE MASTERPIECES!

[@ashsmith3695]

It’s frustrating when a guy like Newstead who picked up the other three’s sorry arses and essentially carried them through the bands most challenging era shouldn’t be forgotten. Sure the other three eventually sorted their own issues out but it came at a terrible cost. Metallica will never fill the void that was left behind when Newstead left. As a person he deserved more accolades and respect which he thoroughly deserved but unfortunately never received. It’s Metallica’s loss.

[@ghostdog6193]

Jason still respects and defend Lars and James..let's not act like they're all still beefing lol

[@romaretaylor9953]

@@ghostdog6193thank you lmao some of these guys just hate Lars and James prolly have ever since the 90s 😂 and they’re still miserable

[@GusGus6969]

​@ghostdog6193 James did tell Jason that he can easily replace him which I think was the icing on the cake to leave.

[@ghostdog6193]

@@GusGus6969 don't matter what was said, both parties are in great terms and Jason still defends both Lars and James on many recent interviews. Do I believe that's what was allegedly said, maybe...but let's stop acting like they're still beefing lmao 🤣 because y'all dumb asf for that

[@pjm582009]

​@ghostdog6193 settle down this was over 10 years ago, Jason always pumped these guys up and is much easier going and will let bygones be bygones much easier than James or Lars. They are so lucky Robert is even easier going and realises his position in the band will never be more than a fill in. Jason had so much to offer if only Kurt had stood up for him.

[@mr.timebombman2230]

Ulrich did tell Steve Thompson, one of the mixing engineers, to turn the bass down to where it would be more or less inaudible. Thompson had stated it in an interview.

[@NS1.]

I remember having Flotsam and Jetsam's album 'No Place for Disgrace' in my truck cd player for like 2 months straight. Such a badass album.

[@geekverve]

James and Lars did Jason dirty. Period. They displayed their demons for all to see in the Some Kind of Monster documentary, and you know that didn't even cover the worst of it.

[@guydammit3287]

That is the saddest movie I've ever seen in my life.

[@PeteyC_AZ]

Your videos are amazing!! I was hooked. Feels like the really proper and cool music documentaries in the 90’s. 🔥 bro. 👏

[@joshmalone7258]

It's such a mindfuck how those guys couldn't see that Jason was the perfect fit for Metallica post-Cliff. Justice is such a pheunomenal album when the bass is brought up to level in the mix, from that deep rich and modern sounding bass tone, to his melodic and harmonic sensibilities, his natural sense of driving groove to his simplistic approach allowing the low end the appropriate space to breathe in the mix while often doubling the guitars his adds weight and strength to the riffs. Not to take away anything from RJ, however RJ has never sounded quite right in Metallica to my ears, probably because he out classes them as musicians, they flew way too close to the sun when selecting him, as RJ is forced to dumb it down and kept in a cage where he can no longer grow or flourish musically, he's now in a situation similar to Jason where he needs a project like Infectious Grooves as a creative outlet but is confined to the Hetfield/Ulrich universe of binding legal contracts and walking egos disguised as adult men with arrested adolescent development and way too much money and power for anybody's own good. Jason didn't try to be Cliff, he brought his own tools and bag of tricks to Metallica, and though his tenure and history with the band shows him being sidelined worse than any other member next to Ron McGuvney, ( who is also a great bassist btw ) I believe the world outside of the band its self and the Metallica machine will see remember him quite differently despite his abusive and reckless treatment. As far as whom they should've selected as a suitable replacement based on who we know they actually auditioned, Chris Weiss from The Cult all the way. Just because Les Claypool is a more technically impressive bass player than Newstead doesn't mean he was good fit for Metallica,

[@JPR17]

now they have a unique circus act from someone who can do a crab walk 😮😮😮😂😂😂

[@darklight4815]

That sucks that he was treated as such a hired gun especially when he brought so much heart to that band....glad I got to see them when he was a part of it

[@lightningmonky7674]

Damn IR8 sounded badass! Ive never even heard of them, thank you! Great video as always!

[@yourcousinvinny4177]

Best Metallica vid I’ve seen in a loooong time!!! Congrats on the depth and research. I’ve been a member of Metclub since ‘95 and have read every book and article about Metallica I could get my hands on. Your video mentioned a few things I wasn’t aware of. Cheers on such a great upload!

[@adarkerstandard]

I appreciate that a ton!! Thanks

[@harveyradius]

Super excited to check this out. Found you through the Load/Reload video. The quality and research is absolutely ace and better than most authorized docs. Thanks for the great content, +1!

[@deadsaige]

As a long time Metallica fan, I'm so happy KZbin recommended this channel to me and to see someone just talking about Metallica in specific. Thank You, Sir :)

[@adarkerstandard]

Glad to have ya! Of course Metallica will not be my only subject matter, but I’ll always come back around and do more deep dives when the time is right

[@nintendad1166]

Newsted may not have been the bassist Metallica wanted, but he was the bassist they absolutely needed.

[@kamilpustula2454]

His back vocals on live acts were massive at Metallica. So brutal.

[@BertoPlease]

Glad you brought up the bit where Jason himself says the treatment he received (concerning the bullying at least) wasn't nearly as bad as it's made out to be. He says that after the first 6 months or so, all the hazing and such considerably decreased. But the way some fans STILL talk about his treatment, you'd think he was like an abused child with Metallica or something. Mind you, with old wounds healing and the like, it's possible he's downplaying it so it won't make them look as bad as it was, but idk to me it never seemed so bad as people make it out to be sometimes. It's not like he's ever talked about that as a reason for him to leave, or that he talks about it much himself as far as I've seen, post-leaving. The real problem was his creative stifling as you overview.

[@adarkerstandard]

Yeah I didn’t want to omit the fact that he’s downplayed the hazing. Generally I tried to be as fair as I could with all sides, and to make note of the possibility that the hazing is perhaps fixated on by fans a bit too much.

[@ghostdog6193]

💯

[@carlosrg68]

I'm an old school die hard fan, but Jason's presence from day one till the day he left is and has been known and each tune he played on, his bass heard or not, we all know Jason contributed in writing the tune or simply just playing on it, we all know the deal. Thank you Jason

[@CrAck-MoNey]

Jason Newstead is an amazing musician, artist, and performer. He has a stronger will than me. I wouldn't have been able to be treated that way without Resorting to childish anger & Violence.

[@mateuszgrzesiak7082]

This is a really well made document, thank you!

[@riccardoferrari1982]

Great documentary, thank you.

[@LloydSevigny]

I discovered Metallica back in 1988 at the age of 10. Seeing the video for one, I instantly loved the song. Both Cliff and Jason influenced me to become a bassist. My dad bought me my first bass & amp in 1994 and, 30 years later, I've never put it down. Even after suffering massive damage to my wrists and hands in a car accident in 2006, I never stopped. When I heard the news that Jason had left Metallica, I was understandably upset, but not in the least surprised. I just shook my head and realized that the Metallica that I'd come to know and love was basically gone. The Newsted Era of Metallica was my Metallica. I know many others share this sentiment. The whole "What if he'd stayed" question never entered my mind. It's those kind of thoughts that bring resentment to a lot of people. I love IR8, Echobrain, Voivod and Newsted. I'd love to hear Tree Of The Sun, as I'm a huge Scott Reeder fan as well. I know a few friends that got extremely fickle about Jason after he left. I could never be that way. I've tried to like Rob as the bassist, but, to me..he's boring and bland. He has no presence live except for doing that crab walk and trying, in vain to match Jason's presence. Don't get me wrong, he's an excellent and talented musician, but he just doesn't vibe with me. Thanks for the video, very well done... 🤘

[@CraftonBarnes]

I remember when he replaced Cliff and us metalheads were skeptical that they would even sound at all the same. And lo and behold they gave us Garage Days ReRevisted and hell YES this was about to get really amazing.. we had at least a year of serious hope that the next Metallica record was going to be the best one with a new strength and Cliff to watch over them from above or below. Then they just crapped all over us ALL including Jason. Hell, especially Jason. No bass. Press the headphones all the way to into your ears, nope, ,not one there. Turn up the SUBS or EQ all the bottom end you want and you get LARS' kick drum getting louder but still no bass. We had all sat and jammed to Garage Days over and over and over and THAT was why his absence in the Mix on AJFA was such an insult. You HAD HIM RIGHT THERE. The man is AMAZING.....where did he GO? I'll never forget how most of us just stopped even listening to that record in the circle I ran with, NOT because it didn't have killer riffs or arrangements either, don't get me wrong. But because the TEASED us and totally gave us a glimpse of what was to never come until it was time to sound like Nirvana on the black trainwreck album...

[@TallisLizzy]

Another great video! You’ll be blowing up soon with stuff like this. Great job. Hoping I can see Newsted live eventually.

[@Treachery93]

Excellent work in covering Jason's tenure in Metallica. Informative and thorough.

[@BKopps]

really been digging all these recent videos you've been putting out. keep up the great work!

[@AskesisGrappling]

I love these deep dive videos providing a fuller, more detailed narrative collating the Metallica stories we all know and the parts we may not. Fantastic work! Looking forward to (hopefully) more of them

[@robvegas9354]

Great video and amazing research. Thank you for sharing this about Jason Newsted. He was fantastic in Metallica. Got to see them play here in Melbourne on the ReLoad tour in '98. James, Lars and especially Kirk were pretty much asleep on stage the entire concert and played like cr@p. Jason was an absolute energy bomb on stage and put in about 5000% effort for the show and was definitely the MVP at the gig.

[@99percentirish64]

Great documentary. Thanks much, from Florida, USA.

[@VisperaMusica]

MAN!!! I love Rob in Metallica. His basslines, his tone, the power of his bass musically speaking but Jason was THE live beast of Metallica. Jason's energy on live shows, his backing vocals, the connection with the fans and overall performance is unmatched by any bass player out there 'til today. If it was up to me, I would have 2 bass players!

[@drifter61]

Dude this is very very well put together! Fantastic work on this video!

[@Metalafire]

YES! Keep this content coming!

[@laurenced2916]

Newsted's solo album Heavy Metal Music was excellent. Wish he made a follow up.

[@JoshBeavers]

Your Metallica video essays are hella sick, please keep 'em comin!

[@dissonant_a]

I often wonder what sort of music we could’ve heard if Jason was allowed to contribute more to the writing process. He’s an absolute powerhouse and a true loss to their live performances, his recent Newsted show is a testament to that. Excellent work once again mate.

[@retrorock5333]

Jason is one badass bass player. I’ve always been a fan of his, I remember as I lived through the 80s watching and listening to him on tv play on stage with Metallica ,,,,,, ONE MONSTER stage presence. I don’t care what anyone says,, Jason, he was the very balls of Metallica 🤘💪

[@Infidel1976]

I was a kid when And Justice For All dropped and I remember loving that album. What I don’t remember is anyone hating the mix. Thrash albums all sounded different back then as far as sound production, so it was par for the course. I even remember a few bands going for similar mixes on their next albums. While there’s an obvious lack of bass guitar on the album, I don’t remember hearing mass complaints about the mix until the 2000s.

[@terencetable1147]

This is an excellent video about Jason Newsted \m/

[@ak47dragunov]

Jason felt like a natural replacement for Cilff. Had a lot of similar elements, not in playing, but in what they brought to the stage (not that Jason wasn't a great player in his own right, just listen to the Blackened isolated tracks). Rob is a tremendous player, but is ultimately a corporate hired hand who doesn't fit in with the band at all image or vibe-wise.