Best Doug Watson Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 113: Exodus’ Gary Holt Talks Kirk Hammett and Bay Area Thrash 24:11

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2h ago24:11

24:11

This week on The Metallica Report… Gary Holt—the veteran lead guitarist of Exodus and, more recently, a member of Slayer—speaks to us about his longtime friendship with Kirk Hammett. From their school days to the stage, Gary explains how Exodus and Metallica came up in the Bay Area scene through his unique lens. Gary paints a wonderful picture of a…

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Episode 112: Catching Up With Robert Trujillo 22:22

7d ago22:22

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This week on The Metallica Report… Robert Trujillo checks in with Steff and Renée to reflect on his busy summer, including two memorable SoCal shows with Infectious Grooves and, of course, the impactful Back to the Beginning experience and Ozzy Osbourne’s enormous legacy. Rob also discusses a personal magical moment from that Villa Park celebration…

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Episode 111: Back To The Metallica Vault 20:28

14d ago20:28

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This week on The Metallica Report… It’s another gloves-on adventure at Inveniem, home to the real-life Metallica Black Box. Spider-Dan, Inveniem’s Ally Bace, and Steffan unearth grocery lists, handwritten lyrics, and early band name sketches. There’s also an amusing self-written biography of the band, more vintage fan correspondence, and the answer…

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Episode 110: Maximum Metallica with Lars Ulrich 31:22

21d ago31:22

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This week on The Metallica Report… It’s Maximum Metallica all the way as we celebrate the launch of the band’s brand new, permanent SiriusXM channel! Lars Ulrich shares some of his most enduring memories of radio, including listening in the car after moving to the US, and early exposure to two of his favorites, Howard Stern and Oasis. He also refle…

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Episode 109: More Metalli-archeology at the Inveniem Vault 21:02

28d ago21:02

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This week on The Metallica Report… We dive right back into another Metalli-treasure excavation with Steffan, Dan Nykolayko, and Ally Bace at the Inveniem, the home of the real-life Metallica Black Box. Among this excursion’s highlights are a rare Kirk Hammett artifact, old and intriguing setlists, and a discussion about that glorious old nugget, th…

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Episode 108: High Voltage: A Return To Metallica’s Vault at Inveniem 27:04

1M ago27:04

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This week on The Metallica Report… We're back at Inveniem, home of The Metallica Black Box, for yet another deep dive into some authentic Metalli-artifacts in the Vault. This time, the band’s content curator and digital museum custodian, Dan Nykolayko, joins Inveniem’s Ally Bace and Steffan for a bit of Metalli-archeology. Don’t worry, the gloves a…

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Episode 107: Steff & Renée’s Top Metallica Songs 25:58

1M ago25:58

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This week on The Metallica Report… Steff & Renée enjoy a good old-fashioned cohost chat, sharing the Metallica songs that hold the most meaning for them, telling stories behind their picks, and reminiscing about pivotal moments in their own personal Metallica journeys. There’s also news about the Metallica Marching Band competition – with big prize…

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Episode 106: The Bob Rock & Dan Nykolayko Chat Continued (Part 2) 19:11

2M ago19:11

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This week on The Metallica Report… We pick back up with the in-depth chat between Bob Rock and Dan Nykolayko, this time featuring our own Steffan Chirazi. From the importance of a good shaker to the “viral load” that Metallica music indisputably holds, it’s another fun and informative journey into this producer’s unique era of Metallica. The Metall…

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Episode 105: A Chat Between Bob Rock & Dan Nykolayko (Part 1) 29:42

2M ago29:42

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This week on The Metallica Report… Steff and Renée cede microphones to Bob Rock and Dan Nykolayko. In this first installment of a two-part discussion, we hear about Bob’s creative journey with Metallica, his recollections of the Load era, and a few studio stories. The Metallica Report – your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight…

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Episode 104: Jason Newsted on The Load Era 21:03

2M ago21:03

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This week on The Metallica Report… Steff and Renée hear from Jason Newsted, who brings his trademark honesty and enthusiasm to a chat about Metallica’s Load era. Enjoy his unique perspective on the band’s adventures in Tuktoyaktuk, the Sausalito recording sessions, and preparing for the rigors of Poor Touring Me. The Metallica Report – your officia…

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Episode 103: Fans Put Together A Deep-Dive Playlist 27:17

2M ago27:17

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This week on The Metallica Report… Renée and Steff are delighted to showcase a fan-crafted deep-dive playlist, each featuring uniquely personal reasons for inclusion. We hear from Simon Cloutier, Ola Aarrestad, Ron Clark, Raquel Saddler, and Sarah and Pete Sobek about the special cuts that mean so much to them. Plus, from an undisclosed location in…

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Episode 102: Back To The Beginning - Farewell to Black Sabbath & Ozzy Osbourne featuring Robert Trujillo 24:41

3M ago24:41

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The week of July 9, 2025 on The Metallica Report… Renée and Steff talk all things Back To The Beginning, the Black Sabbath reunion and farewell show. Steff brings us through Birmingham and backstage at Villa Park, catching the celebratory vibe of happy homage in the days leading up to and including the main event. Robert Trujillo, the man with a un…

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Episode 101: All Hail Black Sabbath & Ozzy - James, Lars, Kirk, and Robert Share Stories Ahead of Sabbath’s Legendary Farewell Appearance 29:03

3M ago29:03

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The week of July 2, 2025 on The Metallica Report… Metallica is just days away from performing at Back To The Beginning, Black Sabbath’s long-awaited reunion and farewell show in Birmingham, England, with a heavy-hitting lineup of Sabbath-admirers. Ramping up in the excitement, Steff and Renée hear James, Lars, Kirk, and Robert share their earliest …

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Episode 100: Roundtable Q&A with James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo 28:38

3M ago28:38

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The week of June 25, 2025 on The Metallica Report… Steff and Renée celebrate 100 episodes of The Metallica Report! Joining them for this major milestone are James, Lars, Kirk, and Robert for a roundtable-style question and answer session fueled by fan submissions. It’s fun, loose, and engaging—the quintessential Metalli-chat vibe. The Metallica Rep…

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Episode 99: “Metallica Saved My Life” Premiere at Tribeca Festival, featuring Robert Trujillo & Metallica Fans 24:06

3M ago24:06

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The Week of June 18, 2025 on The Metallica Report… We report from the Tribeca Festival in New York City, where the band’s new documentary, Metallica Saved My Life, received its official premiere. Robert Trujillo delves into what a team effort this project was, and the Metallica Family stars of the movie — Lina Khatib, Camila Guerrero Diaz, Jose Och…

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Bonus Ep: DanLoad Extra! More from Inside the Load Box Set 14:45

3M ago14:45

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On Friday the 13th and in honor of release day, Steff & Renée hand it over to Dan Nykolayko — the band’s Director of Digital Content and curator of these massive reissues—to go further into the Load Remastered Deluxe Box Set. Dan discusses the album itself, Atmos mixes, and some never-before-heard Motörhead covers, among many more treasures to disc…

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Episode 98: James Hetfield & Robert Trujillo, plus the Third DanLoad Installment 28:42

4M ago28:42

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The week of June 11, 2025 on The Metallica Report… James and Robert answer a couple of listener questions, addressing their influences, inspiration, and where life might have taken them if they weren’t in Metallica. We also hear the third installment of the DanLoad from Dan Nykolayko, this week exploring the DVDs in the back-breakingly gargantuan L…

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Episode 97: Metallica’s Marching Band Magic & The Latest DanLoad of Unreleased Content 27:38

4M ago27:38

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The week of June 4th, 2025 on The Metallica Report… Steff & Renée discuss The Metallica Marching Band competition and hear from Virginia Tech’s Athletic Musical Director, Polly Middleton, how The Marching Virginians create their stadium-shaking interpretation of “Enter Sandman.” Then, on this week’s DanLoad, we dive deep into the world of “Shadowca…

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Episode 96: Robert Trujillo, Mike Muir, and Tye Trujillo plus the DanLoad 34:21

4M ago34:21

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The week of May 28, 2025 on The Metallica Report… It’s a family affair! Steff and Renée hear from Robert Trujillo, Mike Muir, and Tye Trujillo on the magical bond of generational family ties between Suicidal Tendencies, Team Trujillo, and Metallica. And Dan Nykolayko takes the mic as he drops the first DanLoad, a segment that dives deep into the li…

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Episode 95: The Load Box Set Chat featuring Curators Dan Nykolayko and Eleni Psaltis 32:41

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The week of May 21, 2025 on The Metallica Report… Steff and Renée sit down with Dan Nykolayko and Eleni Psaltis, the curators of the upcoming Load Deluxe Box Set. From what the band envisioned to chasing down previously undiscovered recordings and live performances, Dan and Eleni bring us from Lars’ basement to Inveniem and everywhere in between wh…

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Episode 94: M72 - From Virginia Tech- to Band Relationships with James, Kirk, and Robert 20:12

4M ago20:12

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The week of May 14, 2025 on The Metallica Report… Steff and Renée reflect on a seismic night at Lane Stadium with the Virginia Tech Hokies, while James and Kirk consider how the latest phase of inter-band relationships is proving such positive fuel for both Metallica and M72 in 2025. Then, Robert runs through his “match day routine,” and James answ…

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Episode 93: Enter Sandman 27:36

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The week of May 7, 2025 on The Metallica Report… This week is all about “...Sandman,” “...Sandman,” “ and more “...Sandman.” First, we hear from James Hetfield about his developing appreciation for the equestrian world after meeting Sandman, the horse that just competed in the Kentucky Derby. Steff and Renée are also joined by the Virginia Fuel Cha…

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Episode 92: James Hetfield on the Return of M72, Songs, and Superstitions 20:34

5M ago20:34

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The week of April 30, 2025 on The Metallica Report… With M72 2025 in full stride, James Hetfield sits down to discuss what it’s like to be back on the M72 stage, his relationship with some of those older songs, and his rituals and superstitions—on and off the road. James also shares his latest humorous, pre-tour nightmare anxieties and goes all-in …

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Episode 91: M72 Relaunch in Syracuse Starring Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo, and the Fans 22:42

5M ago22:42

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The week of April 22, 2025 on The Metallica Report… As soon as the show in Syracuse concludes, Steffan and Renée are hard at work recapping the M72 2025 kickoff, still riding high off the energy in the JMA Wireless Dome. And no report is hotter off the press than Steff’s conversation with Robert Trujillo in the back of his van, leaving the venue. W…

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Episode 90: Syracuse Inbound - Countdown To The Start Of M72 2025 At HQ 27:40

5M ago27:40

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The week of April 16, 2025 on The Metallica Report… Steffan has set up shop in the middle of HQ on a rehearsal day as he and Renée count down the days until Syracuse hosts Metallica for the first time in 29 years! After a surprise guest quickly crashes the pod, Steff chats with superfan Todd Styles, and Renée gets the rundown on the M72 Blood Drive…

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Episode 89: Best Live Memories - Metallica Fans Share Their Favorite Gigs 30:51

6M ago30:51

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The week of April 9, 2025 on The Metallica Report… As the anticipation for M72 2025 builds, dedicated members of the Metallica Family chime in with their favorite Metallica moments. Martijn van Wieringen, Robert Elliot, April Mancuso, Chris Yerges, and Tory Eide each bring us to the heart of their chosen live memories accompanied by music from each…

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Episode 88: Metallica Scholars Chat with Robert Trujillo 24:09

6M ago24:09

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The week of April 2, 2025 on The Metallica Report… Renee, Steff, and Robert Trujillo meet three of the many magnificent students from the Metallica Scholars Initiative, the marquee program funded by the band’s foundation, All Within My Hands. During a Zoom call hosted by the American Association of Community Colleges, we hear from Danira, a welding…

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Episode 87: The Collection - Kirk Hammett Speaks About His New Guitar Book 33:40

6M ago33:40

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The week of March 26, 2025 on The Metallica Report… Kirk Hammett joins to talk about his brand new book with Gibson Publishing, The Collection: Kirk Hammett, and dives into a series of stories about the guitars within its pages. From Flying Vs to Les Pauls—with plenty of other gems in between—Kirk discusses his relationship with these instruments, …

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Episode 86: Smashing Boundaries - A Dive into Metallica’s Immersive Apple Vision Pro Experience 29:14

6M ago29:14

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The week of March 19, 2025 on The Metallica Report… We explore Metallica’s collaboration with Apple to create a pioneering, 25-minute live concert film from the M72 Mexico City stop in September 2024 using immersive technology with Apple Vision Pro. Lars Ulrich, Zane Lowe, and Robert Trujillo chime in about how this technology breaks the fourth wal…

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Episode 85: Let There Be Light! A Chat with Metallica’s Lighting Designer Rob Koenig 39:28

7M ago39:28

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The week of March 12, 2025 on The Metallica Report… Steff and Renée chat with Metallica’s lighting director, designer, and all-around music lover, Rob Koenig. A true wealth of knowledge, he discusses his process, lighting concepts behind M72, previous tours, new lighting technology, and why rainstorms are no longer a threat for Metallica shows. Rob…

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Episode 84: The HQ Audio Crew Starring Sara Killion & Kent Matcke 35:05

7M ago35:05

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The week of March 5, 2025 on The Metallica Report… We’re back at HQ to speak with two vital members of the HQ Audio Crew and arguably the kindest people in the building: Sara Killion and Kent Matcke. Chief among Sara’s many responsibilities as producer Greg Fidelman’s trusted studio aide is charting and mapping every sound that Metallica makes whil…

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Episode 83: Treasures from James Hetfield’s Archives - Further Exploration of Metallica’s Vault 22:20

7M ago22:20

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The week of February 26, 2025 on The Metallica Report… We pick back up with Steff and Renée, who are still immersed in Metallica’s archival vault. In this episode, they travel down a James Hetfield rabbit hole filled with original notebooks, lyrics, doodles, and more. Reveling in the energy emanating from the pages, our hosts seize the opportunity …

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Episode 82: Behind the Doors of Inveniem - A Visit to Metallica’s Archival Vaults 38:50

7M ago38:50

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The week of February 19, 2025 on The Metallica Report… Led by Inveniem archivist Ally Bace, Steff and Renée enter the Metallica vault to explore physical pieces of the band’s history, including master tapes, handwritten notes, diaries, clothing, and so much more. Ally discusses her journey to becoming an archivist, the forensic process of handling …

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Episode 81: Inside Metallica HQ; Meet the Runners 38:49

8M ago38:49

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The week of February 12, 2025 on The Metallica Report… We speak with the Metallica HQ Studio Runners—Jackson Langford, Jack Ketchum, Alex Coltharp, and Dana Lindstrom—about their tasks and duties around the building and beyond. From massive lunch runs to damaging cars and walls (with a purpose, of course) and from restringing guitars to joining the…

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Episode 80: David Fricke - Metallica’s Journey in Rolling Stone Magazine 48:06

8M ago48:06

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The week of February 5, 2025 on The Metallica Report… Legendary music critic David Fricke details his decades-long journey with Metallica, writing some of rock journalism’s most unflinching and detailed stories about the band through the pages of Rolling Stone magazine. Beginning with their first full-assignment encounter on the Damaged Justice tou…

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Episode 79: Jimmy Clark - Laughter, Loyalty, and Life as Lars Ulrich’s Drum Tech 34:25

8M ago34:25

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The week of January 29, 2025 on The Metallica Report… Percussionist Jimmy Clark, also known in the Metallica world as Lars Ulrich’s tech, joins us to share stories of his own career, how he became friends with a mischievous young Danish drummer back in the day, his industry education in Nashville, and how he worked his way from the rafters to the s…

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Episode 78: Justin Crew - Enter the World of Kirk Hammett’s Guitar Tech 35:24

8M ago35:24

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The week of January 22, 2025 on The Metallica Report… We continue our techs-behind-the-band series with Justin Crew, Kirk Hammett’s right-hand guitar-man of 29 years. Justin recounts the genesis of his own career from Go West to AC/DC, how he landed the Metallica/Hammett gig, the terror of flatbed trucks, being on the Poor Touring Me tour, and what…

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Episode 77: Chad Zaemisch - Inside the Mind of James Hetfield’s Guitar Tech 39:58

8M ago39:58

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The week of January 15, 2025 on The Metallica Report… We hear from guitar tech Chad Zaemisch. He shares what it’s like being interviewed for a job by prospective boss James Hetfield, then details his creative and technical approach to the role. He discusses how the gig has changed over the last 22 years, what working a show is like, and the importa…

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Episode 76: James Hetfield on Words & Lyrics 26:22

9M ago26:22

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The week of January 8, 2025 on The Metallica Report… We speak with James Hetfield about his perennial and peerless lyrics. Our songwriter shares what he loves about the architecture of words, whether he sees himself as a storyteller, and his appreciation of Tom Waits. Then, we take a trip back through the So What! archives to revisit his approach t…

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Episode 75: Best of TMR 2024 with Metallica & More 30:24

9M ago30:24

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The week of January 1, 2025 on The Metallica Report… As we welcome 2025, Steff and Renée had to take one last chance to appreciate the year that was with their favorite moments and guests from The Metallica Report 2024. From bird-watching to high school memories to world tour vibes, this one covers a lot of ground! So sit back and enjoy reminiscing…

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Episode 74: Lars Ulrich, Rob Trujillo 22:26

9M ago22:26

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The week of December 25, 2024 on The Metallica Report… With the holiday season in full swing, we hear from Metallica’s confirmed cinephile, Lars Ulrich. Having seen 18 films at the Mill Valley Film Festival alone, he speaks about some of his favorite movies over the last few months. And for good measure, Steff has him throw in his current musical f…

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Episode 73: Lars Ulrich, Robert Trujillo, Jason Momoa, LA Rams’ Rob Havenstein 33:58

9M ago33:58

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The week of December 18, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Steff and Renée bring all the details from last week’s Helping Hands Concert & Auction at YouTube Theater in Los Angeles. Coverage starts during rehearsals when Lars and Robert share the band’s approach to the unique nature of this traditionally acoustic/electric show. Metallica superfan Jason …

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Episode 72: Helping Hands Honorees Jeff Ament, Maggie Baird 40:30

10M ago40:30

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The week of December 11, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Steff and Renée are getting ready for the fourth biennial Helping Hands Concert & Auction on Friday, December 13, by speaking with two of this year’s honorees. First, Renée catches up with actress Maggie Baird (aka the mother of Billie Eilish and Finneas) from Support + Feed. If that organizati…

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Episode 71: Zach Harmon Talks Guitar Picks 18:31

10M ago18:31

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The week of December 4, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Metallica’s long-time tech, Zach Harmon, sits down to offer an overview of how the humble yet venerated guitar pick has developed over the years for this band. Zach explains the importance of shapes, colors, sizes, and styles of these tiny tools of the trade and reveals his own fervent attention…

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Episode 70: Happy Thanksgiving from the Metallica Family 16:06

10M ago16:06

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The week of November 27, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Here in America, we’re celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow. For many of us, Thanksgiving day is full of lots of food, of course, and spending time with family. “Family.” That word can mean so many different things depending on who you ask. So, we checked in with a few people in our orbit to hear …

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Episode 69: Filmmaker Adam Dubin 24:26

10M ago24:26

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The week of November 20, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Adam Dubin, the man behind A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica, joins Steffan and Renée to revisit his time behind the Metallica curtain and share why his approach to filming struck the right chord. He also gives us a more personal look into a pivotal time in the lives of the young band …

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Episode 68: A Conversation with Robert Trujillo & Jerry Cantrell 35:11

11M ago35:11

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The week of November 13, 2024 on The Metallica Report… This special episode of “The Metallica Report” delivers a rare conversation between Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains and Metallica’s own Robert Trujillo. With Steffan’s help, the pair delve into their early days, sharing their influences and how they first connected. They also discuss their wo…

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Episode 67: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo Remember Jonny and Marsha Zazula 22:46

11M ago22:46

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The week of November 6, 2024 on The Metallica Report… On the anniversary of 2022’s tribute show honoring the lives of Jonny and Marsha Zazula, James, Lars, Kirk, and Robert remember the pair who jumpstarted Metallica’s career with Megaforce Records. In 1983, the right man on the opposite coast got ahold of a No Life ’Til Leather cassette tape. This…

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Episode 66: James Hetfield; Robert Trujillo; Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills 25:14

11M ago25:14

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The Week of October 30, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Steffan and Renée have a lot of ground to cover. First, our hosts ask Robert Trujillo and artist Rhys Cooper about Metallica’s return to Australia. Then, in the Spooky Season spirit, James and Robert chime in on what horror is to them. Finally, Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills joins the podcast…

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Episode 65: James Hetfield; Kirk Hammett 18:24

11M ago18:24

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The week of October 23, 2024 on The Metallica Report… In honor of World Mental Health Day, Steffan and Renée tackle the important issue of self-care with James and Kirk, as Metallica’s guitarists share their secrets for staying healthy both in mind and body. James discusses meditation—how it has helped him, the many forms it takes, and why sometime…