Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo previously performed with Ozzy Osbourne in the late 1990s after stints with Suicidal Tendencies and Infectious Grooves. He recently revealed how an ’80s Osbourne song inspired one of the band’s latest tracks, sharing details about the creative process in an interview with The Metallica Report.
Trujillo explained how Ozzy Osbourne’s “Believer” served as inspiration for Metallica’s “You Must Burn!” from their most recent album 72 Seasons.
“With ‘You Must Burn!,’ as I recall with that middle section — it’s an evil groove, kind of nasty and it has a swagger to it — I remember working on it away from Metallica,” Trujillo said. “The inspiration came from ‘Believer’… it’s that type of sliding into it and having this power groove in this moment. I didn’t know what song it would live in, you never know. But the idea that it could exist in a Metallica song was there.”
The bassist described the collaborative process with frontman James Hetfield in developing the track.
“I just remember James and I started messing around with [the ‘You Must Burn!’ idea] and adding his stamp on it, then my stamp and back and forth,” he continued. “Then it became a part of that song.”
Trujillo also highlighted a special moment during the recording process where Hetfield wrote a vocal part specifically for him.
“What was really cool about it, at least for me, was that James had written a vocal part for me… This was actually a melodic vocal part with lyrics, weaving through this riff that I had helped create along with James,” he said. “That was a special moment. So I tapped into my inner Ozzy and threw that in there.”
This revelation highlights the deep musical connections that have shaped Trujillo’s career and continue to influence Metallica’s creative process decades into their partnership.
Trujillo’s connection to Ozzy Osbourne runs deeper than just musical inspiration. Wikipedia reported that the bassist actually performed with Osbourne’s band in the late 1990s, following his work with Suicidal Tendencies and Infectious Grooves. This direct collaboration with the Prince of Darkness provided Trujillo with firsthand experience of Osbourne’s musical approach. It made his ability to “tap into his inner Ozzy” for the Metallica track particularly authentic.
The bassist’s journey to Metallica itself was a significant milestone in metal history. Ultimate Metallica documented that Trujillo joined the band officially on February 24, 2003, following a high-profile audition process that was captured in the documentary Some Kind of Monster. His addition to the lineup marked the beginning of what would become the band’s longest-serving bass partnership. It brought stability to a position that had seen significant turnover in the band’s history.
Trujillo was born on October 23, 1964, in Santa Monica, California. He brought a unique rhythmic mastery to Metallica that has defined their sound for over two decades. Ultimate Metallica described him as “a mad scientist when it comes to jamming on the bass guitar,” highlighting the experimental approach that has allowed him to seamlessly blend influences from his diverse musical background into Metallica’s heavy metal framework.
Since joining Metallica, Trujillo has become an integral part of the band’s creative process and legacy. Wikipedia noted that he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Metallica in 2009, cementing his place in music history. His ability to draw from his extensive experience with various artists, including his time with Ozzy Osbourne, continues to enrich Metallica’s songwriting. It demonstrates how past musical relationships can inspire new creative directions even decades later.
