Metallica has announced that former bassist Jason Newsted will make a rare appearance with the band. He will join their Maximum Metallica show on SiriusXM as the Hero of the Day.
The announcement highlighted Newsted’s history with the band, particularly his contributions during the making of “The Black Album,” before revealing details of his upcoming appearance on the radio show.
“On Thursday, you’ll hear from one of the four men who made ‘The Black Album,'” the announcement read. “He was there for all 301 gigs… first one in the building, last one out. His thunderous bass tone rattled speakers for millions of fans around the globe, and he’s the man behind the hypnotic intro to ‘My Friend of Misery.'”
The post then confirmed Newsted’s identity and provided broadcast details for fans hoping to tune in.
“That’s right,” the announcement continued. “Jason Newsted is checking in with Maximum Metallica as the Hero of the Day. You won’t want to miss it. Tune in Thursday, August 13 at 1 PM ET / 10 AM PT and 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT on SiriusXM Channel 42.”
The announcement drew reactions from fans in the comments section. One Metallica fan wrote, “Jason is the best Metallica bassist of all time! Without him, Metallica wouldn’t be Metallica!” Another fan commented, “Metallica greatest bassist. Should’ve treated him with more respect.”
Newsted’s tenure with Metallica spans some of the band’s most defining years. His connection to “The Black Album” runs deeper than his thunderous bass tone alone.
Newsted joined Metallica in 1986 following the death of original bassist Cliff Burton, stepping into one of the most demanding roles in heavy metal at the time. He remained with the band for 14 years, recording and touring through Metallica’s rise to global superstardom before departing in January 2001.
His bass work had been notoriously buried in the mix on 1988’s “…And Justice for All,” a decision that drew years of criticism from fans and critics alike. “The Black Album” marked a turning point. Producer Bob Rock ensured Newsted’s bass was finally brought forward and audible, driving the groove on tracks throughout the record.
That shift gave Newsted a rare distinction on the album: he received a sole writing credit for “My Friend of Misery,” the track built around the hypnotic bass intro referenced directly in Metallica’s own announcement. It stands as one of the clearest examples of his musical fingerprint on the record that transformed the band into a global phenomenon.
Newsted’s appearance on Maximum Metallica revisits that legacy directly, framing his upcoming segment as a recognition of contributions that fans have long argued deserved more attention. His rare reunion with the band’s platform this week gives longtime listeners a chance to hear his perspective on an album that reshaped Metallica’s sound and career.
