By JACOB FRIDLUND
Staff Writer
Robert Trujillo thinks that Metallica’s new album, 72 Seasons, is one of the “more important” records that the band’s ever made. Speaking with Steffan Chirazi for a Q&A on Metallica’s own website, the bassist opened up about the thought process behind the band’s upcoming new album, and why this one feels different to him compared to the previous Metallica records he’s been a part of.
According to Trujillo, James Hetfield’s stint in rehab between 2016’s Hardwired… to Self-Destruct and 72 Seasons created the grounds for a “rebirth” within the band, and that mindset influenced the unit’s creative approach.
“I think we all had a pretty good idea that he would be sharing a story, an energy,” Trujillo said of the album’s direction. “With all of the impactful thoughts and what was going on in [James Hetfield’s] world, it would almost be impossible for that not to happen. That’s also what makes this album great — what he’s gone through and how he’s had to grow. It’s almost like a rebirth in a lot of ways because you’ve got to reconnect with your inner spirit, who you are, and what you’re about. And now you’re sending it, you’re bringing it, and you’re presenting it to us and eventually to the world, so it’s a very heavy thing for him. So at that point, I know it was going to be a powerful record. This is going to be one of the more important records, I think, that Metallica’s ever made.