The Metallica Report
Keep up with all things Metallica by going straight to the source. Now you can get your news directly from those entrenched in the band’s own Northern California headquarters. This weekly report is hosted by Steffan Chirazi and Renée Richardson, two members of the Metallica Camp.
Steffan is a long-time rock scribe and editor of the band’s online mag, So What!, whose days covering Metallica began in the 1980s with the British music magazines Sounds and Kerrang! Renée is the Director of Philanthropy for the band’s foundation, All Within My Hands, and also has a storied background in music as a well-known Bay Area radio personality.
Each week will sound a little different, but you’ll always remain in the loop. Steffan and Renée will keep you posted with the latest news and updates from Metallica HQ and the road as the M72 Tour makes its way around the world. They’ll bring you mini-features for a little peek behind the curtain, and you’ll learn bits of info you won’t find anywhere else through chats with everyone from members of the road crew to poster artists, from fans to band members themselves!
They won’t just tell you what you need to know; they’ll also get to the bottom of what you want to find out! Listeners can submit questions, and Steffan and Renée will get to work finding answers.
You’ll enjoy all of this and more with The Metallica Report, your quick, weekly fix covering our most relevant topics of the day.
A proud part of Pantheon Podcasts
Produced by Pantheon Media & PopCult
Executive Producers: Marc Reiter, Vickie Strate, Doug Oswandel
Written by: Steffan Chirazi & Renee Richardson
Production Coordinator: Lane Watson
51
Episode 79: Jimmy Clark - Laughter, Loyalty, an...
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 stage with Metallica.
31 min
52
Episode 78: Justin Crew - Enter the World of Ki...
We continue our techs-behind-the-band series with Justin Crew, Kirk Hammett’s right-hand guitar-man of 29 years.
32 min
53
Episode 77: Chad Zaemisch - Inside the Mind of ...
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
36 min
54
Episode 76: James Hetfield on Words & Lyrics
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.
23 min
55
Episode 75: Best of TMR 2024 with Metallica & More
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.
27 min
56
Episode 74: Lars Ulrich, Rob Trujillo
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 flavors, as well.
19 min
57
Episode 73: Lars Ulrich, Robert Trujillo, Jason...
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.
30 min
58
Episode 72: Helping Hands Honorees Jeff Ament, ...
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.
37 min
59
Episode 71: Zach Harmon Talks Guitar Picks
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 to detail and creativity when it comes to such things as the now infamous “city picks.”
15 min
60
Episode 70: Happy Thanksgiving from the Metalli...
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.”
12 min
61
Episode 69: Filmmaker Adam Dubin
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 members.
21 min
62
Episode 68: A Conversation with Robert Trujillo...
This special episode of “The Metallica Report” delivers a rare conversation between Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains and Metallica’s own Robert Trujillo.
31 min
63
Episode 67: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk H...
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.
19 min
64
Episode 66: James Hetfield; Robert Trujillo; Sp...
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.
21 min
65
Episode 65: James Hetfield; Kirk Hammett
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.
15 min
66
Episode 64: Pinball Wizardry - Jody Dankberg, ...
It’s all about Metallica Remastered, the new machine from the premier pinball game designers and manufacturers at Stern Pinball.
25 min
67
Episode 63: Kirk Hammett; James Hetfield
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.”
15 min
68
Episode 62: James Hetfield; Reports from Mexico...
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.
17 min
69
Episode 61: James Hetfield; Metallica’s Directo...
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.
23 min
70
Episode 60: Mexitallica Chapter Head Karla Farr...
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.
20 min
71
Episode 59: Les Claypool of Primus; Metallica T...
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.
27 min
72
Episode 58: Robert Trujillo; Metallica’s Direct...
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.”
23 min
73
Episode 57: Kirk Hammett; James Hetfield; Metal...
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.
24 min
74
Episode 56: James Hetfield; Metallica's Content...
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.
22 min
75
Episode 55: Kirk Hammett; Metallica’s Director ...
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.
37 min