"With no disrespect to Cliff Burton, I think my picking brought a new tightness to Metallica. Cliff's sound wasn't very defined": An interview with Jason Newsted on the release of The Black Album

Jason Newsted of Metallica playing live

In August 1991 – three years after their last album …And Justice For All, and five years after the death of Cliff Burton – Metallica were gearing up to release another album. It was an interesting moment for anyone with an interest in Metallica and bass playing: …And Justice For All had featured very little audible bass. 

Looking back in 2022, Newsted told Metal Hammer that he was “fucking livid” when he heard the final mix of the album. “Are you kidding me? I was ready [to go] for throats, man! I was out of my head, because I really thought I did well. And I thought I played how I was supposed to play.”