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's going to be a powerful record. This is going to be one of the more important records, I think, that Metallica's ever made.
"It's also even in the riffs and where he's coming from in that place, too. Riffs speak a certain language; they signify a certain level of power, whether it's in the groove or the heaviness, the edginess. There's a lot of impact in the riffs in my mind. I always say that a riff can really determine your headspace or where you come from. I mean, some of the best riffs have come from challenging environments or situations, whether it's Birmingham, England, or South Central Los Angeles, you know what I mean? It's like, where did Slayer pull Reign in Blood out of? Well, it probably came from the impact of where they grew up and what they experienced.
"I always say that about these guys like Tony Iommi or James Hetfield or Jeff Hanneman. You create what's inside of you, what you've experienced in your life, and some of that is more powerful than others. That's what 72 Seasons is. It has a lot of that energy in all of us. Every note we play is a statement that appears on this record. It's coming from the heart and soul of who we are as individuals and where we were in this whole process, the growth of these songs, and everything. To me, every note that's played is important on this record, and I believe people are going to feel that.
Later, Trujillo was asked to further explain why the record is very much informed by all four members' input, as well as Hetfield's own lyrical perspective.
"I'm saying it's all of ours because I know, for me personally, every note that I played on this record had a certain importance and impact, and it was coming from the heart," Trujillo added. "More than any of the other records I've made with Metallica, this album really resonated [with] what was going on in my life. And I think that — I mean, I don't even think … I know people feel on that. That's the magic of music. That's why if you listen to old classic songs, those guys are playing from the heart, they're playing from experience, and every note they're playing means something, whether it's Black Sabbath or even Santana. Carlos is pulling it from a place of where he is, and that's the passion he's conveying through his instrument. That's how I feel about this record. I really do believe that we were all playing from our hearts, there's a collaborative spirit in that alone, and that's something that is a magic ingredient on 72 Seasons.
72 Seasons is out April 14th, 2023 via the band's own Blackened Recordings. You can pre-order it here.
