METALLICA Bassist On Next Album: 'I Feel In My Heart That We Are Going To Do Something Special'

AllAfrica.com recently conducted an interview with METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

AllAfrica.com: There are people out there who feel that METALLICA are the greatest band in the world. Do you feel like you play for the greatest band in the world?

Robert: Um, yeah, I feel like that. I don't like to look at things that way much 'cause my whole thing is to keep your feet on the ground and go with the flow, and what our existence is and stay humble. But that is a very, very nice thing for them to think. I understand why they would think that. We're a special band and the reason for that is because we're very involved. I appreciate that, I like that. I get shy about that, I'm kinda like: Aah, God no, it makes me feel uncomfortable. [laughs] Being in METALLICA is incredible, 'cause they're my heroes, you know. We're a team; we're a family so I feel blessed to be a part of this team.

Can we expect a new album from METALLICA anytime soon?

Well, we are working on new songs. There is a process of elimination and that's when we are going to take all the ideas, and we listen through and some don't make the grade, and most of the stuff you jam on and try a few different ways and revisit them maybe eight months down the line. So there is an extensive process of elimination before you get to actually writing that song. But I can say that the ideas that I have been hearing and have been a part of, to me are very, very exciting and I see us making a great album. I feel in my heart that we are going to do something special. Beyond this, I have no idea what is going to happen 'cause, right now, it feels great and we are gonna do that, but the next album — we'll see.

You have achieved so much as band. What's next? Where do you see yourself years on from now?

The interesting thing is that we have a 3D movie coming out very soon and that in itself has been an experience and a challenge. I believe it's going to be great. I've seen a recent cut and we have a lot of work to do — we're not finished, but we're getting close and I feel that the end result will be special. Now what this will do for us or where this will take us is unknown, you know, but I have a good feeling about it. I also feel that those are the experiences and challenges that make METALLICA great and special and keep people interested. We did our 30-year anniversary shows just over a year ago at the legendary Fillmore Theatre in San Francisco — you know where Janis Joplin played and THE GRATEFUL DEAD and all those special bands. But the thing about that is that we flew in artists from all over the world. So let's bring in MERCYFUL FATE, let's fly in Ozzy Osbourne, let's bring in Rob Halford, lead singer of JUDAS PRIEST. There was this long list of people to bring in, that's a commitment, to fly them in, rehearse with them, learn their songs and get on stage with them. What band does that? I don't know of any band that does that, but those are the type of things we do — we challenge ourselves. Sometimes it's a glorious experience and sometimes it maybe doesn't work out. But those chances that we take are what make METALLICA a special band.

Read the entire interview from AllAfrica.com.