Metal Hammer, conducted an interview with Metallica’s bass player Rob Trujillo about the time he joined the band in 2003.
Trujillo said:
“Yeah, it seemed like James [Hetfield, guitar/vocals] was walking a tightrope, on thin ice – he seemed very guarded and he had a lot of things going on in his personal life. Everything was according to a schedule.
“Now it just seems like he’s got his juju back. He’s sober of course but he’s got that Hetfield attitude that’s confident and powerful and creative, but he’s also very inspired by ideas that I’ll have.”
On Cliff Burton, Rob said:
“I have the utmost respect for Jason [Newsted] and Cliff, and what I love about Cliff is where he was coming from as a bass player in this genre of music, metal, he had a real voice and he was speaking with his instrument.
“Very melodic, this wonderful stage presence… he was just a very unique individual and very talented, obviously. Jason offered a more meat and potatoes kind of vibe to the band. Jason’s a leader in his own way and I think that’s captured, live, but I think that can be a critical thing when it comes to his contribution to the music.
“I wasn’t there, I don’t know how it played out, but we’re all different, and none of us, me or Jason, are trying to be Cliff. I’m not trying to be Jason. We’re our own entities, I just try to give everything I’ve got.”