The Metallica Report

Metallica & Pantheon Media

Weekly News, Features, and Interviews from Metallica HQ and Beyond

  • 25 minutes 24 seconds
    Episode 88: Metallica Scholars Chat with Robert Trujillo

    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 student challenging gender norms; Dryden, who swapped fast food for computer science; and Shane, an engineer finding new opportunities for growth. Rob then shares moments from his own journey and offers words of encouragement for our scholars.


    The Metallica Report – your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday.


    All Within My Hands: https://www.allwithinmyhands.org 

    Metallica Scholars: http://allwithinmyhands.org/metallica-scholars 

    Music from The Metallica Report: https://metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music 

    Wanna be featured on a future episode? Submit your questions or comments: http://metallica.com/podcast

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    2 April 2025, 5:00 am
  • 34 minutes 55 seconds
    Episode 87: The Collection - Kirk Hammett Speaks About His New Guitar Book

    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, what they mean to him spiritually, the influences behind some of the acquisitions, and why this book might only be a chapter in his ongoing guitar-obsessed life!


    The Metallica Report – your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday.


    “The Collection: Kirk Hammett” on Metallica.comhttps://metallica.lnk.to/KH-The-Collection 

    “The Collection: Kirk Hammett” on Gibson.comhttps://www.gibson.com/en-US/kirkhammettbook 

    Kirk Hammett Gibson Greeny: https://www.gibson.com/en-US/page/kirk-hammett-greeny 

    Kirk Hammett Yellow Jazz III Pick Tin: https://metallica.lnk.to/KH-Yellow-Pick-Tin 

    Music from The Metallica Report: https://metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music 

    Wanna be featured on a future episode? Submit your questions or comments: http://metallica.com/podcast

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    26 March 2025, 7:00 am
  • 30 minutes 29 seconds
    Episode 86: Smashing Boundaries - A Dive into Metallica’s Immersive Apple Vision Pro Experience

    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 wall between the band and the fans. Then, members of the Metallica Family who experienced the free demo worldwide share their reactions after immersing themselves in “Whiplash,” including one fan who got even closer to Metallica than he could have imagined at The Grove’s Apple Store in Los Angeles.


    The Metallica Report – your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday.


    Book Your Free Metallica Apple Vision Pro Demo: http://apple.co/MetallicaVP 

    Apple Vision Pro: https://www.apple.com/apple-vision-pro

    “Metallica Live from Mexico City” (Apple Exclusive EP): https://music.apple.com/us/album/m72-world-tour-mexico-city/1801286006

    Music from The Metallica Report: https://metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music 

    Wanna be featured on a future episode? Submit your questions or comments: http://metallica.com/podcast

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    20 March 2025, 1:28 am
  • 40 minutes 43 seconds
    Episode 85: Let There Be Light! A Chat with Metallica’s Lighting Designer Rob Koenig

    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 also details his enormous passion for music, his relationship with James, Lars, Kirk, and Robert, and why the audience is such an integral part of his creative arc during an M72 gig. 


    The Metallica Report – your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday.


    Music from The Metallica Report: https://metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music 

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    12 March 2025, 1:07 pm
  • 36 minutes 20 seconds
    Episode 84: The HQ Audio Crew Starring Sara Killion & Kent Matcke

    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 while recording. Meanwhile, Kent facilitates audio and technical aspects of rehearsals while also assisting with many other HQ studio matters. Between them and their fastidious attention to detail, nothing is left to chance when it comes to making sure Metallica has the best recording and rehearsal environment possible.


    The Metallica Report – your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday.


    Music from The Metallica Report: https://metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music 

    Wanna be featured on a future episode? Submit your questions or comments: http://metallica.com/podcast

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    5 March 2025, 8:00 am
  • 23 minutes 35 seconds
    Episode 83: Treasures from James Hetfield’s Archives - Further Exploration of Metallica’s Vault

    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 to get an intimate read on the frontman from a much younger season, noting how intentional his creative force has always been. And to his delight, Steff stumbles upon another blast from his own past, though he seems to remember it differently.


    The Metallica Report – your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday.


    The Metallica Black Box: https://www.metallica.com/museum 

    Music from The Metallica Report: https://metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music  

    Wanna be featured on a future episode? Submit your questions or comments: http://metallica.com/podcast

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    26 February 2025, 8:00 am
  • 40 minutes 5 seconds
    Episode 82: Behind the Doors of Inveniem - A Visit to Metallica’s Archival Vaults

    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 the artifacts, and the emotional power these pieces hold, something Steff encounters when faced with an item that conjures an experience three decades old. We also get some insight into which Metallica members are the primary collectors and how Inveniem and The Black Box work together. Finally, we stumble upon our inspiration for this week’s Metallica Report Spotify playlist.


    The Metallica Report – your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday.


    The Metallica Black Box: https://www.metallica.com/museum 

    Music from The Metallica Report: https://metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music 

    Wanna be featured on a future episode? Submit your questions or comments: http://metallica.com/podcast

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    19 February 2025, 8:00 am
  • 40 minutes 4 seconds
    Episode 81: Inside Metallica HQ; Meet the Runners

    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 touring crew, some assignments are definitely less predictable than others. 


    Plus, as you’ve come to know, there’s a lot of talent flowing through the confines of HQ beyond Metallica itself, and these runners are no exception. We hear a bit about Low Levee (Jackson and Alex’s band) and Milk For The Angry (Dana’s band), both entrenched in the local Bay Area music scene on top of being favorites among HQ staff. We also find out how Jack, a visual artist and screen printer specializing in classic-style and retro rock posters and t-shirts, helps James Hetfield level up his art supply stash.


    The Metallica Report – your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday.


    Milk For The Angry: linktr.ee/milkfortheangry 

    Low Levee: linktr.ee/lowlevee  

    Jack Ketchum: https://www.instagram.com/peoplemydogbites 

    Music from The Metallica Report: https://metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music 

    Wanna be featured on a future episode? Submit your questions or comments: http://metallica.com/podcast

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    12 February 2025, 8:00 am
  • 49 minutes 21 seconds
    Episode 80: David Fricke - Metallica’s Journey in Rolling Stone Magazine

    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 tour, David shares observations of Metallica’s unique fan connection and growth as the Four Horsemen ascended. David also explains how he managed to tap into the heart, mind, and soul of James Hetfield for arguably the most famous Rolling Stone/Metallica cover story back in April 1993.


    The Metallica Report – your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday.


    David Fricke/Rolling Stone Magazine: https://www.rollingstone.com/author/david-fricke 

    David Fricke/Tidal Magazine: https://tidal.com/magazine/author/davidfricke/47 

    David Fricke/Sirius XM: https://www.siriusxm.com/blog/tag/david-fricke 

    Fricke’s Picks Radio Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/06luEBzWT5ZQqVLhH11Bpb 

    Music from The Metallica Report: https://metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music  

    Wanna be featured on a future episode? Submit your questions or comments: http://metallica.com/podcast

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    5 February 2025, 8:00 am
  • 35 minutes 40 seconds
    Episode 79: Jimmy Clark - Laughter, Loyalty, and Life as Lars Ulrich’s Drum Tech

    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 stage with Metallica. Jimmy also discusses his own adherence to perfectionism and how that comes in handy while managing multiple kits on the M72 World Tour.

    The Metallica Report – your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday.


    Lars Ulrich 40th Anniversary Drum Kit: metallica.lnk.to/TAMA-LarsUlrich40 

    Lars Ulrich Signature Snare Drum: metallica.lnk.to/TAMA-LU1465

    Lars Ulrich Signature Drum Sticks: metallica.lnk.to/LarsUlrich-AHEAD-sticks

    Music from The Metallica Report: https://metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music   

    Wanna be featured on a future episode? Submit your questions or comments: http://metallica.com/podcast

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    29 January 2025, 8:00 am
  • 36 minutes 39 seconds
    Episode 78: Justin Crew - Enter the World of Kirk Hammett’s Guitar Tech

    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 his work on M72 requires. Justin also discusses Greeny, the guitar famous in its own right, and his working relationship with last week’s guest and guitar tech to James Hetfield, Chad Zaemisch.


    The Metallica Report – your official, weekly guide for all things Metallica, straight from the source. New episode every Wednesday.


    “Greeny” Les Paul Standard: https://www.gibson.com/en-US/kirk-hammett-greeny 

    Kirk Hammett ESP guitars: metallica.lnk.to/ESP-KirkHammett 

    Kirk Hammett Cry Baby® Wah: metallica.lnk.to/Dunlop-KH95 

    Kirk Hammett Jazz III Pick: metallica.lnk.to/Dunlop-47-KH3N 

    Music from The Metallica Report: https://metallica.lnk.to/TMR-music  

    Wanna be featured on a future episode? Submit your questions or comments: http://metallica.com/podcast

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    22 January 2025, 5:09 pm
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