ROBERT TRUJILLO: I'm Still A METALLICA Fan

New METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo (ex-OZZY OSBOURNE, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES) recently told Canada's Chart Attack that it was somewhat of a relief to have joined the group after all the songwriting and recording sessions for "St. Anger" had already been completed.

"I had my hands full with trying to learn these 11 songs AND the 40 we're going to be playing over the course of the summer," he said. "To have been a part of the writing process would have been great, but [producer] Bob [Rock] did a great job [playing bass on the album]."

"It's important for [Rock] to be on it," he continues. "These guys have been through a pretty dynamic time over the years and he was the glue helping them get through it. I don't listen to 'St. Anger' as if I should have been on it. I listen to it as if it were 'Ride The Lighting' or 'Master Of Puppets'. He had some great ideas! There's nothing wrong with what he's done… I'm a fan!"

Looking forward to a time when he will have more of a say in the finished product album-wise, the otherwise reserved Trujillo became animated.

"I haven't had much creative freedom since playing in SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, and even then there were degrees of control. When I joined METALLICA, I didn't know how to adjust to it at first. I'd be hanging out learning songs while the other guys were in a meeting. They'd be like, 'Rob… you're a part of this too. We want your input.' It was hard to take, but now I'm getting used to it again. Now I just see all of this as exciting because it's the launch pad for a couple of years from now when we make an album together."