Armored Saint vocalist John Bush recently reflected on being approached to potentially join Metallica and why he believes James Hetfield was irreplaceable for the band, in an interview with Get on the Bus.
Bush discussed how he was contacted by Johnny Z, who managed both Metallica and Anthrax, about the possibility of joining the iconic metal band. He also shared his thoughts on why replacing Hetfield would have been detrimental to heavy metal.
“Johnny Z, who was the manager of Metallica at first and he became the manager of Anthrax, contacted me which is kind of funny and then he contacted me again about Anthrax,” Bush said. “I’m like wait okay this 10 years later and you’re calling me about maybe joining this other band. It’s kind of funny. But it was an honor to be asked to sing in Metallica.”
Bush emphasized his respect for Hetfield’s role in the band and their continued friendship.
“I mean, I never can imagine anybody singing other than James Hetfield for that band,” he continued. “Ironically enough, I just saw James Hetfield and Lars and Robert Trujillo ‘cuz we played at the Sonic Temple Festival in Columbus last weekend and Metallica was one of the headlining bands. And those guys came and watched Armored Saint and we played at like 3:00 in the afternoon and that was very very cool that they did that.”
The vocalist reflected on the long history between the bands and his belief that joining Metallica wasn’t his destiny.
“So, you know, it was always it was always an honor. It just was not my fate to be in Metallica,” Bush said. “So, you know, again, there’s always a connection because Armored Saint ended up going out touring with Metallica and Ride the Lightning and March of the Saint for us. We had a lot of history together as friends.”
Bush concluded by explaining why he believes Hetfield was meant to be Metallica’s frontman and how replacing him could have negatively impacted heavy metal.
“And one of the funny things is James during Metallica set said, ‘I was stoked to see Armored Saint today.’ This is in front of, you know, 50,000 people when they were playing,” he said. “We destroyed a lot of hotels together. I could have ruined metal. You know, that’s just too much, man. That’s too much pressure. Like I said, it was it just wasn’t my fate.”
“And I can never imagine anybody singing those songs or not having James Hetfield as a frontman. That would have been a big loss for heavy metal. Like he was meant to do that. And James became an incredible singer.”
Bush’s comments provide insight into a pivotal moment in metal history that could have dramatically altered the genre’s trajectory.
Chaoszine reported that the invitation to join Metallica came early in their career, after the release of Kill ‘Em All. Hetfield was uncomfortable with handling both vocal and guitar duties at the time. The timing was crucial as both bands were gaining momentum in the thrash metal scene. This made Bush’s decision even more significant for the future of heavy music.
Bush has previously elaborated on his reasoning for declining the offer, explaining his deep commitment to his own band. Louder Sound noted that Bush felt the pressure would have been overwhelming. He was already dedicated to Armored Saint’s growing success. His loyalty to his longtime bandmates played a crucial role in the decision that would preserve one of metal’s most iconic lineups.
“I felt complimented when the band was proposing the idea to me. But it just wasn’t my destiny to be in Metallica. I would have changed the face of heavy metal – and I don’t need that pressure,” Bush stated in previous interviews.
The vocalist’s conviction about Hetfield’s irreplaceable role has remained consistent over the years. Blabbermouth documented that Bush has repeatedly emphasized that there was no other singer who should have been Metallica’s frontman other than James Hetfield. He views it as destiny that shaped the band’s legendary status. This perspective highlights how certain musical partnerships are meant to be, regardless of alternative possibilities that might have emerged.
