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
101
Episode 29: All Things HQ - Part 1: Robert Truj...
The first of two episodes recorded at the band’s creative ground zero for over 20 years: Metallica HQ. Steffan and Renée set up shop in the Jam Room with three people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the Metallica Machine moving.
24 min
102
Episode 28: Bob Rock
Steffan and Renée are joined by a man intertwined through Metallica history in a way maybe no one else can claim to be. A producer, a collaborator, a motivator, a fill-in, a support system, and the master of getting that sound “just right”... it’s none other than Bob Rock!
18 min
103
Episode 27: Memorable Award Show Moments
Steffan and Renée revisit some of your favorite performances and infamous moments in Metallica’s award show history. No spoilers here, but we bet you can guess a few... They include surprise outcomes, a bit of NSFW language, and a lot of very heavy music!
21 min
104
Episode 26: Part 2 - Old School Deep Dive with ...
A fortuitous call from Kirk sets the stage, framing the metal scene in the early days and the roles Ron, Brian, and KJ played.
22 min
105
Episode 25: Old School Memories with KJ Doughto...
Steffan and Renée are joined by old friends KJ Doughton, Brian Lew, and Ron Quintana for a trip back to the humble beginnings of Metallica. From fanzines to tape trading to shows at the legendary Stone in San Francisco, these guys have seen it all and are bonded for life to each other and the band through their undying love of music.
21 min
106
Episode 24: Catching up with Jason Newsted
We have a visit from an old friend as Steffan and Renée check in with bassist Jason Newsted.
18 min
107
Episode 23: Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire
For better or worse, few people know the absolute power pyrotechnics can bring to a performance like our own James Hetfield does. He joins Steffan and Renée to get into the history of pyro within Metallica and the energy it brings to a live show.
20 min
108
Episode 22: James and Robert reflect on 2023 an...
With the new year right around the corner, Steffan and Renée check in with James and Robert to reflect on 2023 and look ahead to 2024.
15 min
109
Episode 21: The Best of the First 20 Episodes; ...
We’re going to sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the highlights of the first 20 episodes of The Metallica Report. Remember Lars and that iPod? (think Blue Oyster Cult!) What about Kirk catching waves or James’ love of a good music festival? And who could forget Robert’s night on stage in Dallas?
18 min
110
Episode 20: Rob hangs with Geddy Lee; Christian...
Rob Trujillo brings us behind the scenes of “Are Bass Players Human Too?”, the new docuseries from Rush’s Geddy Lee. As the focus of one of four episodes, Rob spent two full days with Geddy, showing him around his Southern California world through surfing, biking, and skating. He also gave Geddy a spin on Jaco Pastorius’ famed “Bass of Doom” while the two shared stories of huge admiration and respect for the legendary bassist.
16 min
111
Episode 19: Lars’ Current Music Obsessions; Rob...
Steffan and Renée do a deep dive into both the physical and mental iPods of Lars and Rob, as Lars shares more of his musical obsessions and Rob throws down his five favorite funk cuts. They also speak with Auburn University’s Professor of Music and Marching Band Director, Dr. Corey Spurlin.
20 min
112
Episode 18: James Hetfield on the M72 Stage; Zo...
Coming off the holiday, Steffan and Renee dip into their M72 interview archives to give you a more in-depth look at the tour. First, James thinks back to the first time he saw the massive circular stage mapped out with cones in the middle of an empty MetLife Stadium. He also touches on the logistics of a simple guitar swap and the importance of creating a “presence” on stage for both the band and the fans.
18 min
113
Episode 17: Pantera’s Phil Anselmo & Rex Brown ...
Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown of M72 special guests Pantera chat about playing for Metallica’s fans - the ones who already know and love them and those who are in for a fun surprise. They also touch on what being on stage feels like now compared to the early days, the vibe that Charlie Benante and Zakk Wylde to the band, and, of course, what Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul would think of this chapter of Pantera.
18 min
114
Episode 16: We head to Detroit; James talks “Me...
Steffan and Renée check in from the Motor City for the final two shows of 2023 on the M72 World Tour. Steff tells us of his time touring resurgent downtown Detroit with Robert, visiting the historic Motown Museum and Fox Theatre.
16 min
115
Episode 15: Robert with Suicidal Tendencies in ...
Steffan and Renée check in with details about the weekend from deep in the bowels of the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis and Rob Trujillo updates us on his whirlwind weekend in Mexico City, where he filled in on bass for his son, Tye. This wasn’t just any substitute gig… he was joining Suicidal Tendencies for a full set for the first time in 27 years!!
17 min
116
Episode 14: Listeners’ favorite horror films; L...
Hot on the heels of last week’s Halloween celebration with a special Hammett-horror-episode, listeners report what their favorite fright-night feature film is.
18 min
117
Episode 13: Kirk celebrates Halloween and chats...
Who better for Steffan and Renée to celebrate Halloween with than The Ripper himself? Our own Kirk Hammett joins the pod to chat about all things horror media, from books and movies to music and makeup.
18 min
118
Episode 12: Kirk on his Goodnight Texas cameo; ...
Steffan and Renée chat with two of the band’s long-time collaborators: graphic artist Tony Squindo and co-founding member of Goodnight, Texas, Avi Vinocur. Plus, Kirk chimes in about his bluesy, down-and-dirty guitar solo on Goodnight, Texas’ new song, “Runaways.”
16 min
119
Episode 11: Power Trip recap; Kirk on GNR; Jame...
Steffan fills us in on what went down in the desert at Power Trip. Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Judas Priest, Tool, and Metallica took the stage last weekend, and now James, Kirk, and Robert will take you behind the scenes with their first-hand accounts.
15 min
120
Episode 10: Power Trip preview; Lars discusses...
It’s all about Power Trip, this weekend’s massive hard rock festival cranking up at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA. Gracing the bill of the three-day fest are Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Judas Priest, Tool, and, of course, Metallica.
17 min
121
Episode 9: James and Robert on Bastardane and O...
Steffan and Renée explore the Metallica Family: the next generation. Proud dads James and Robert pop in to discuss their sons’ journeys as musicians and their bands, Bastardane and OTTTO.
16 min
122
Episode 8: The skater episode: "Too Far Gone Vi...
We’re talking all things “Too Far Gone?” - specifically, the phenomenal new music video and its mind-blowing star. He’s a pro skateboarder you’ll need to see to believe named Felipe Nunes, and he also happens to be a double-amputee.
17 min
123
Episode 7: Kirk on surfing; Spencer Charnas fro...
Kirk Hammett is back, but this time, he’s talking surfing and how his approach to the waves differs from Robert’s. Later, Spencer Charnas describes his songwriting process and what it’s like to bring an Ice Nine Kills production to the Metallica stage.
16 min
124
Episode 6: Kirk on "Shadows Follow"; band chef ...
Kirk “The Ripper” Hammett discusses his solos on 72 Seasons and the M72 World Tour, specifically his approach to the song “Shadows Follow.” He also geeks out while recounting hanging out with Pete Townshend, the legendary guitarist of The Who, at the Hollywood Bowl and the Peter Green tribute show at the London Palladium.
15 min
125
Episode 5: Lars' favorite drummer; Steffan in ...
During the wee hours after rehearsals in LA, straight from the dressing room, Lars shares which drummer he can’t get enough of lately, which happens to be the answer to a Metallica Report Listener question! We also spend some quality time with Southern California native & Mammoth WVH frontman Wolfgang Van Halen, who shares his M72 experiences and gets into his band’s new album, Mammoth II.
19 min