Bassist/vocalist Jason Newsted‘s decision to exit thrash metal titans Metallica back in 2001 left many fans blindsided. For decades since, much of the narrative behind that departure has stemmed around his side projects being stifled by the band’s camp, his burnout from the band’s hectic schedule at the time, and the perceived outsider status he had to contend with, be it a lack of writing credits, to the infamous burial of his bass on “…And Justice For All“, all serving as nails in the proverbial coffin.
However, Newsted has returned this spring as a bit of an open book, and has now set out to clarify that while those reasons played a factor, his own personal struggles with addiction at the time also played a significant part in seeing him out the door. These revelations come via Newsted himself on a newly released episode of Dean Delray‘s ‘Let There Be Talk‘ podcast. In addition to opening up about his 2025 battle with throat cancer on that podcast, Newsted also touched upon his issues with addiction.
Of course, given that Metallica were at one point nicknamed ‘Alcoholica’ for their relentless consumption of alcohol, and frontman/guitarist James Hetfield has made a pair of stays in rehab — his most recent in 2019 — Newsted wasn’t the only member of the group overindulging.
At 30 minutes into this new conversation, Newsted spoke frankly about his own struggles with addiction and the part they played in ending his tenure in the group. He also claims that he was met with resistance from the band in his efforts to take time away from the group’s demanding schedule to address his issues. Newsted stated [transcribed by theprp.com]:
“One thing I want to straighten out, or just comment on.. the Echobrain thing. That was another project that I took to a certain level. I had had 40 projects in the Chophouse to a level of recording, composition, rehearsal, that kind of thing. This one was just more promising, and I took it to a different place. But it’s not the reason I left Metallica.
The reason I left Metallica is because I was a horrible addict. I was way up against myself, and if I didn’t get some kind of help, I was going to die. And so I just said, ‘You guys, can I have a minute? Please give me a minute.’ And they said, ‘No.’ I said, ‘I would rather live than be in your band. I love being in your band. I think it’s kind of obvious. I wear your shirt every fucking night.’ So it’s like, you know, ‘I wear our shirt every night. I fly my colors every night. I meet every fucking person that wants to meet and represent us for all the fans every fucking night. Don’t tell me I’m not committed. Don’t tell me I’m not loyal. Don’t tell me. I’m always the first one in and last one out. I’m not saying the words. It’s fucking history.’ It’s real.
You can’t give me that minute to get my head straight again. Then I have to go. Not that I don’t love you, and certainly not that I’m not committed to this band.”
While pushback from the Metallica camp over Newsted‘s plans for his Echobrain have long been cited as another primary factor, Newsted further set the record straight in this chat. He said:
“Echobrain was a thing that I ventured into, our subject for the day, our theme for the day: Adventuring, discovering new things. Giving yourself a chance to see what’s in there. When you do a painting, step back from it and go, ‘I didn’t know that I had that in me.’ You know? That’s the best reward of all, no matter if somebody buys it or not, I don’t give a shit. It’s about, the song comes out and I’m like, ‘Dude I have that in me? Where the fuck did that come from?’ That’s the riches.
So, if you can’t give me a minute to get myself to what I thought you appreciated me for, then [I’m gone.] But it’s not because of Echobrain. It’s just that’s the music that was happening at the time.
[via Consequence]
