Introduction
Metallica first formed in Los Angeles in 1981 and quickly rose to become one of the most influential and commercially successful bands in heavy metal history. With over 120 million albums sold worldwide, Metallica are one of the most best-selling acts of all time. They helped pioneer the thrash metal genre in the early 1980s alongside bands like Slayer and Anthrax, and were one of the "Big Four" of thrash metal. Their 1986 album Master of Puppets is considered one of the most iconic metal albums ever.
Throughout the decades, Metallica has gone through several evolutions in their musical style and lineup changes. However, the one constant has been a need for a top-notch bass player to provide the rhythmic foundation for their intense, guitar-driven sound. While the guitarists and vocalists may get more attention upfront, Metallica understands that a solid bassist is crucial to locking in with the drums and supporting the overall unit. The interplay between bass and drums creates the backbone groove for each song. Over the years, each Metallica bassist has brought their own unique playing style and influences to the band. Their contributions helped shape Metallica’s sound and image during the various eras of the band’s career.
Ron McGovney (1982)
Ron McGovney has the distinction of being Metallica’s very first bassist. He joined the band in 1982 during their early garage band days, when James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Dave Mustaine were just starting out and developing the foundation for Metallica’s thrash metal sound.
McGovney first met Lars Ulrich through a newspaper ad that Ulrich had posted looking for bandmates. At the time, McGovney had been playing bass in local bands around Los Angeles for a couple years and was excited at the chance to join a new metal group. Despite not having much experience, McGovney’s enthusiasm impressed Ulrich and Hetfield enough to bring him into the fledgling band.
As Metallica’s bassist, McGovney provided a basic, yet solid low-end that complemented the raw, aggressive guitar riffs being written by Hetfield and Mustaine. His style was straightforward and allowed space for the guitars to shine through in the mix. McGovney held down the rhythm section with Lars’s drumming through Metallica’s earliest shows and demos, helping to establish the thrashy, high-speed tempo that would become their signature.
Though his time in Metallica was short, barely lasting a year, Ron McGovney was integral to the band’s origins as their first-ever bassist. His experience playing with Metallica in the garage band days of 1982 left an important mark on the early development of the soon-to-be metal legends. McGovney laid the groundwork on bass that the later, more technically skilled bassists would build upon as Metallica’s sound evolved in the coming years.
Cliff Burton (1982-1986)
Cliff Burton joined Metallica in 1982 and made an immediate impact with his unique bass playing style. Unlike previous thrash and heavy metal bassists who played more basic rhythmic lines, Burton incorporated advanced techniques like heavy distortion, wah-wah pedals, and lead bass solos. His style drew inspiration from his classical music influences, especially Bach.
Burton helped evolve Metallica’s sound on seminal albums like Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets. His bass lines added a new melodic element and complexity to the band’s thrash assault. Songs like "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and "Orion" featured Burton’s lead bass talents. He also contributed to songwriting, coming up with initial riffs and ideas for tracks like "Creeping Death".
The two albums Burton recorded with Metallica are considered classics and highlight his creative mark on the band. His playing was deeply intricate yet powerful, merging his classical training with thunderous distortion. Burton’s unique style showed the possibilities of bass in heavy metal, paving the way for future bass virtuosos.
Though Burton’s time in Metallica was tragically cut short in 1986 when he died in a tour bus accident, his playing and songwriting contributions had an enormous impact. He proved the bass could be just as vital as guitar in metal music. Burton’s legacy looms large over thrash and metal, forever changing the role of the bass guitarist.
Jason Newsted (1986-2001)
Metallica was left reeling after the tragic death of Cliff Burton in 1986. They needed to find a new bassist who could fill the enormous void left by Burton’s immense talent and creativity. After auditioning many bassists, the band chose Jason Newsted, who had played in the thrash metal band Flotsam and Jetsam, to become their new bassist.
Newsted had the daunting task of learning Burton’s complex bass parts and integrating into a band that had been playing together for years. He was determined to make it work, constantly practicing Burton’s bass lines note-for-note. While he could play all the technical parts, Newsted struggled to replicate the feel and style of Burton.
As the "new guy," Newsted faced hazing and resistance from James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich. They would turn his bass down, hide his equipment, and generally exclude him from the creative process. Newsted persevered through these indignities, but tensions mounted over the years. He wanted to contribute more songwriting and express himself, but felt held back.
During the 1990s, Newsted adapted his playing style as Metallica shifted toward a more mainstream radio-friendly sound. While his bass took more of a backseat, he continued laying down solid grooves. However, Newsted grew increasingly frustrated with Metallica’s musical direction in the late 90s.
After the grueling tour for Metallica’s St. Anger album, Newsted decided he had enough. The hazing never stopped, and creatively he felt unfulfilled. In 2001, Newsted amicably departed Metallica after 15 years to pursue other projects. Despite a challenging tenure, he helped stabilize Metallica after Burton’s death and remains an influential metal bassist.
Robert Trujillo (2003-present)
In 2003, Metallica began auditioning bass players to permanently replace Jason Newsted, who had left the band in 2001. They auditioned dozens of musicians before ultimately landing on Robert Trujillo.
Trujillo brought a funkier, more energetic style to the band. His slap bass and syncopated rhythms added a new dynamic to Metallica’s thrash sound. Whereas Newsted took a more understated approach, Trujillo is an explosive stage performer, constantly running and jumping around the stage. His funk-influenced techniques give the band a looser, groovier feel.
Albums like Death Magnetic and Hardwired…To Self-Destruct highlight Trujillo’s dexterous playing style. His bass lines weave around Hetfield’s riffs, creating a tight rhythmic interplay. Trujillo also incorporates more Latin music elements into his bass lines compared to previous Metallica bassists.
Since joining Metallica, Trujillo has become an integral creative force in the band. His unique playing style and on-stage energy have contributed to a thrash metal revival for Metallica in the 2000s. Trujillo’s charismatic stage presence and rapport with fans have made him a popular member. Nearly 20 years later, he remains Metallica’s longest-tenured bassist since the death of Cliff Burton.
Comparing and Ranking Metallica’s Bassists
Each bassist brought their own style and approach to Metallica’s sound. Ron McGovney laid the early foundations with his simple, driving bass lines. Cliff Burton took things to the next level, blending thrash metal with classical influences. His virtuosic solos and songwriting contributions had an enormous impact.
Jason Newsted took on the unenviable task of filling Burton’s shoes, bringing his own thrash background. He powered through tensions with Hetfield and adapted his playing through Metallica’s shifting styles. Robert Trujillo reinvigorated things with his energetic funk-influenced playing and showmanship.
Ranking Metallica’s bassists is no easy task. Burton stands out for his creativity and classical influence. Newsted deserves recognition for playing in Burton’s shadow for 15 years. Trujillo brought new life but lacks the legacy of the others. Fans debate but most agree – Burton’s impact was monumental and he ranks as Metallica’s best bassist. Each bassist left their mark during a different era of the band’s evolution.
McGovney’s Contributions
Ron McGovney was Metallica’s original bassist, playing with the band in their earliest days during 1982. Though his time with Metallica was brief, McGovney laid the groundwork for the thrash metal sound they would become known for.
As a self-taught bass player, McGovney brought a raw, aggressive energy to the band’s early recordings and live performances. His distorted bass lines and use of techniques like downpicking matched the intensity of James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich’s playing.
Tracks like "Hit the Lights" and "Metal Militia" from the demo No Life ‘Til Leather feature McGovney’s driving bass rhythms. He had a simple, no-frills approach to bass that focused more on power than technique. This straightforward thrash style aligned with Metallica’s early influences from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene.
Though McGovney soon parted ways with Metallica over creative differences, his contributions shouldn’t be overlooked. He established the pummeling thrash foundation that Cliff Burton and later bassists would build upon. Even in Metallica’s short garage band days, McGovney helped cement their aggressive musical identity.
Cliff Burton’s Legacy
Cliff Burton left an indelible mark on Metallica and the world of metal despite his tragically short tenure in the band. He took bass playing to new heights by incorporating classical music techniques into thrash metal.
Burton was deeply influenced by classical composers like Bach and drew inspiration from their complex arrangements and progressions. This was highly unusual in the thrash scene where most bassists played root notes to lock in with the drummer.
Instead, Burton played more melodic bass lines that almost acted like a second guitar. You can hear his classically-inspired style shine on instrumental tracks like "Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth)" and "Orion" which showcased his skills.
Burton also contributed heavily to Metallica’s songwriting on those early albums. Songs like "For Whom the Bell Tolls" have Burton’s fingerprints all over them. His creativity and musical knowledge took the band’s songwriting to the next level.
Even though Burton’s time in Metallica was short, he redefined what was possible on the bass guitar. He paved the way for future metal bassists to utilize distortion, effects, and explore more technical playing styles. Burton’s legacy continues to inspire generations of musicians in the metal community and beyond.
Jason Newsted’s Tenure (1986-2001)
Metallica was left with impossibly huge shoes to fill after the tragic death of Cliff Burton in 1986. Jason Newsted, formerly of the band Flotsam and Jetsam, stepped in to become Metallica’s new bassist. Newsted had the daunting task of learning Burton’s complex bass parts and keeping up with Metallica’s lightning fast thrash metal songs. Despite being an accomplished musician in his own right, Newsted faced many challenges being the new member of an already established band.
There was often friction between Newsted and the other members of Metallica, especially frontman James Hetfield. Newsted felt he wasn’t given the creative freedom and input that Burton had enjoyed. He was frequently hazed and treated as the "new guy" rather than an equal member of the band. This came to a head during the recording of the album St. Anger in 2001, where Newsted’s bass parts were nearly inaudible in the final mixes. Citing ongoing tensions with Hetfield and a lack of control over the creative process, Newsted departed Metallica following the conclusion of the album’s tour. Despite his rocky tenure, Newsted performed admirably under difficult circumstances and remained dedicated to Metallica’s thrash metal vision. His time in Metallica tested his perseverance and commitment as a musician.
Robert Trujillo’s Revival of Thrash Roots and Showmanship
Robert Trujillo brought a funky, energetic revival to Metallica’s bass playing when he joined the band in 2003. After Jason Newsted’s departure, Metallica knew they needed a bassist who could rejuvenate their live performances. Trujillo’s unique background in funk metal bands like Suicidal Tendencies and Infectious Grooves made him the perfect fit.
During his Metallica audition, Trujillo impressed the band by playing a wide variety of styles, from thrash to Latin grooves. This versatility allowed him to excel on Metallica’s 2008 return-to-form album Death Magnetic. His aggressive, distorted bass lines helped the band reconnect with their early thrash roots.
At the same time, Trujillo brought his own funky flavor to the table. Songs like "All Nightmare Long" showcase his ability to lock into crushing metal riffs while adding a hint of groove. Trujillo’s slap bass techniques beef up tracks like "That Was Just Your Life" with additional percussive flair.
Beyond his playing, Trujillo’s energetic stage presence provided a shot in the arm for Metallica’s live show. He runs, jumps, and interacts with fans at shows, bringing his own brand of showmanship. Trujillo’s backing vocals have also become an important part of Metallica’s sound. Overall, his well-rounded set of skills on bass and as a performer have successfully reinvigorated Metallica.