In a recent interview on SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk,” Rоb Trujillo, Metallica’s longest-serving bassist, shared insights into the distinct styles of his predecessors, Jason Newsted and Cliff Burton. Trujillo emphasized the value of diversity among musicians and highlighted the unique strengths each brought to the band.

Trujillo acknowledged the stark differences between Newsted and Burton, praising the individuality they infused into Metallica’s music. He lauded Burton’s musical genius, likening him to iconic composers like Jaco Pastorius and Stanley Clarke for his holistic approach to bass playing. Burton’s ability to blend melody with techniques like distortion and wah pedal usage stood out to Trujillo.

Conversely, Trujillo commended Newsted for his solid, foundational playing style, which provided a stable backbone to Metallica’s sound. While simpler in approach compared to Burton, Trujillo emphasized the importance and effectiveness of Newsted’s contributions, describing them as reliably solid rather than pedestrian.

Throughout his career, Trujillo emphasized his commitment to continuous learning from every musical opportunity. He highlighted his experiences working with artists like Ozzy Osbourne and Jerry Cantrell, particularly praising Cantrell’s nuanced approach to bass composition and its impact on songs like “Rooster.”

Trujillo expressed gratitude for his time with Metallica, attributing much of the band’s success to the exceptional songwriting abilities of his bandmates, Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, and Kirk Hammett. He described collaborating with them as a privilege due to their shared passion for the art of songwriting.

In summary, Trujillo’s reflections underscored the diversity of talent within Metallica’s bassist lineage and emphasized the importance of continual growth and appreciation for the craft of music.