The Metallica Report

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 sometimes disengaging from the world is necessary. Kirk f...

The week of October 16, 2024 on The Metallica Report… It’s all about Metallica Remastered, the new machine from the premier pinball game designers and manufacturers at Stern Pinball. Renée moderates a roundtable discussion of the evolution of the game with Stern’s Director of Licensing and Marketing, Jody Dankberg, artist and designer of the graphics, Rhys Cooper, and our in-house Pinball Wizard,...

The week of October 9, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Steffan and Renée are joined by Kirk Hammett to discuss one of the most revered guitars in rock and roll history: Greeny. One part Gibson Les Paul Standard and one part magic, Kirk gushes about his relationship with what he has dubbed “The People’s Guitar.” But even the best guitars and guitarists are incomplete without a kick-ass tech, so Kirk...

The week of October 2, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Steffan gives Renée —and all of us—the lowdown on how Metallica’s two weekends in Mexico City wrapped up, including updates on support acts, Lucha Libre, Robert’s Spanish, James’ take on Robert and Kirk’s spotlight in the set, and the way metal is deeply rooted in the region’s culture. Episode 60 guest Karla Farrugia (Mexitallica Chapter Head) t...

The week of September 25, 2024 on The Metallica Report… We hear an excerpt of James Hetfield’s conversation about his relationship with Cliff Burton, as delivered by one of the driving forces behind “Orion: A Tribute to Cliff Burton,” Dan Nykolayko. Joining Steffan, Dan also discusses this final installment of the exhibit, and what he learned about the iconic bassist. While in Mexico City, Steffan...

The week of September 18, 2024 on The Metallica Report… The Metallica Machine is revving up to take on Mexico City! The band is set to play four nights over the next two weekends at Estadio GNP Seguros, and for their part, Steffan and Renée are getting ready by chatting with Mexitallica Chapter Head Karla Farrugia. Karla shares her perspective on why Metallica and Mexico City are such a special co...

The week of September 11, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Steffan chats with one of Kirk Hammett’s old schoolmates… you may have heard of him. The one and only Les Claypool, the creative force behind Primus, joins the podcast to share some teenage algebra class memories. And as any good reporter would do, Renée follows up with Kirk for his take on those early days. Then, our hosts catch up with Jeff...

The week of September 4, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Steffan catches a ride with the bass player in Seattle and learns how Robert and Kirk craft their city-specific original compositions, more quaintly known as “doodles.” Then, Dan Nykolayko, Metallica’s Director of Digital Content, returns to share a few nuggets from the latest release of “Orion: A Tribute to Cliff Burton,” including a clip fro...

The week of August 28, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Our two favorite guitarists stop by for a little chat with Steffan and Renée.  With Metallica getting ready to hit the stage at Lumen Field this weekend, Kirk thinks back to another visit to Seattle, 35 years ago, when the band played possibly the fastest version of “Whiplash” we’ve ever heard.  Then, James talks Westerns and what it was like on...

The week of August 21, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Life on tour can often feel incredibly serious, so James shares the importance of having a solid sense of humor! Steffan chats with our favorite frontman about his silly, sarcastic side.  Then Steff and Renée are joined by Jeff Yeager, Metallica's Content & Network Manager/Tour Photographer/Jack-of-All-Trades, for an inside look at how the band’...

The week of August 14, 2024 on The Metallica Report…   Renée checks in from Chicago, bringing along a chat with Kirk Hammett about the Minneapolis music scene and, who else, Prince. Kirk discusses his appreciation for Prince’s immeasurable contribution to the world of music and recounts his personal brush with The Purple One’s greatness late one night in the ’90s.  While in the Windy City, Renée s...

The week of August 7, 2024, on The Metallica Report… The Metallica Report celebrates its first year, so Steff looks back at what was going on 12 months ago and finds Rob discussing Hawaii with ‘Chef Kirk,’ Renee is in Boston for the start of M72’s 2024 North American leg, and I Disappear ticket holders Katrina Anker, and Christina Møller talk about the special global Metallica fan community. Steff...

The week of July 31, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Steffan catches up with John Bush, the singer of Armored Saint, formerly of Anthrax, and the man who once famously turned down the opportunity to front Metallica. John strolls down memory lane with Steffan, but not before he updates us on his latest project, Category 7 - a band James recently told us he’s pretty excited about! And as Lars celebrat...

The week of July 24, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Renée has been mighty busy with her day job lately. This week, All Within My Hands announced its fourth Helping Hands Concert & Auction AND that its groundbreaking Metallica Scholars program will now include 60 schools in all 50 US states + Guam! To celebrate that exciting AWMH news, Steffan chats with James about his design and creation of the Fo...

The week of July 17, 2024 on The Metallica Report… M72 Europe is officially a wrap, and Steffan checks in with Robert following the final show in an absolutely buzzing Madrid as Spanish fans celebrate their Euro Cup victory! Then, inspired by gazing at the stable of guitars just offstage, Steffan unearths a chat with James about his first guitar and how his brother introduced him to rock and roll....

The week of July 10, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Episode #50: James Hetfield; Best of the Pod featuring Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo July 10, 2024 This week on The Metallica Report… It’s our 50th episode! First, Steffan checks in with James on how M72 2024 has been treating him so far and just how he and those priceless guitars feel about performing in the pouring r...

The week of July 2, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Robert Trujillo joins Steffan for a quick chat about - what else - lemons and coffee. Ok, they also got into how Rob feels on stage these days, what the vibe is like at each of these European stops, and the dedication with which he and Kirk craft their original doodles and covers that have become staples of Metallica concerts. And Steff finally tra...

The week of June 26, 2024 on The Metallica Report… While in Denmark, Steffan jumps at the chance to talk to a certain band member about his history with the country… it just might not be the band member you’d expect. James has been visiting Denmark for 40 years and has developed a relationship of his own with the area. He reflects on what’s changed and what’s stayed the same over time, for himself...

The week of June 19, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Metallica takes over Fortnite, and Fortnite takes over The Metallica Report! Steffan checks in from Copenhagen to brief Renée and the listeners about the official Fortnite X Metallica launch. Don’t worry if you’re not a gamer; Steff & Renée introduce what Fortnite is all about and share some essential details on this unique collaboration before di...

The week of June 12, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Steffan grabs our favorite frontman to ask a few questions submitted by YOU - the listeners. And even better, when James is in the mood to chat, you know the answers will be fun! The Metallica Report - your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday. Upcoming M72 Tour Dates: https://www.m...

The week of June 5, 2024 on The Metallica Report… It’s Kirk Hammett’s turn to share his back-on-tour thoughts with Steffan. (ICYMI, Steff chatted with Robert and James during the last couple of episodes.) Kirk shares his love for being on the road and how he’s constantly striving to remain musically in the moment. It’s safe to say it… this man thrives on stage! Renée introduces us to Francesco Pol...

The week of May 29, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Steffan and Renée travel to Munich for the kick-off of year two of the M72 World Tour! We get a rare front seat for Robert Trujillo’s “back on tour” process as he chats about what it’s like to get back out on the road after a break and takes Steffan along as he walks the stage for the first time in 2024. Speaking of rare… Steff and Renée go very be...

The week of May 22, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Steffan catches up with the one and only James Alan Hetfield. Following a nice long hibernation, the two sit down at HQ just as rehearsals for the upcoming European leg of the M72 Tour are about to kick off. James fills us in on what he’s been up to during his time off, how he’s prepping to go back on the road, and what he’s most looking forward to...

The week of May 15, 2024 on The Metallica Report… Steffan and Renée dive into the band’s foundation, All Within My Hands. Its Month of Giving campaign is currently shining the spotlight on the Metallica Scholars program, which supports trade education. Join them for a roundtable discussion with three Metallica scholarship recipients, Karina, Cha Zong, and Reggie, and learn all about the program as...

The week of May 8, 2024 on The Metallica Report… It’s all about the fans! Local chapter members and superfans Oliver (Head of St. Germany), Eric (Virginia Fuel), and Derek, James, and Glenn (Nebraska’s The Outlaw Corn) all join Steffan and Renée for a roundtable. As everyone gets ready for a summer of live M72 shows, these longtime fans talk about what they are most looking forward to on this summ...