30 million Black Album fans can't be wrong. In this bonus Episode 9 we hand them the mic and they take over – in their own words and in their own voices. The Black Album has changed lives ­– through birth, school, work, marriage, and death, and in crazy stories that you just can't make up. It's been an inspiration, companion, and soundtrack for people all over the world. These are their stories. Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, and Kirk Hammett also chime in to share their thoughts and appreciation of Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, and Kirk Hammett also chime in to share their thoughts and appreciation for their fans.

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Joining Lars, James, and Kirk is bassist Robert Trujillo, who climbed aboard Team Ugly full force. They step back to look at why and how The Black Album became one of the best-selling albums of all time – and how the remastered deluxe edition and the breadth of The Metallica Blacklist make it even more powerful today. What comes next? Suffice to say, the band is not looking back. The red carpet guest list includes: Bob Rock, Rob Halford, Alice Cooper, Jon Pardi, Ross Halfin, David Fricke, Laina Dawes, Ann Powers, Gregg Steele Heppner, plus many more.

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The story of The Metallica Blacklist. Not just any covers album, it’s living, breathing proof of the power of every song on The Black Album – as interpreted by 53 of the most diverse artists and bands imaginable from all over the world. Guests discussing their Metallica firsts, why they chose their song and how they made it their own include Depeche Mode’s Dave Gahan, J Balvin, Juanes, Kamasi Washington, Andrew Watt, Mickey Guyton, Keith Morris of OFF!, and many more. Special guest Marc Reiter, a key member of Metallica’s management team based at Metallica HQ, shares the charitable impetus and logistical aspects of this mammoth project.

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While recording this episode, Metallica coined a new nickname: Team Ugly. It’s about going from being the underdogs to selling millions of concert tickets and records – while never forgetting who they are and where they came from. Guests include: Robert Trujillo, J Balvin, Tomi Owó, David Fricke, Ron Quintana, and Brian Slagel.

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There are tours. And then there are Metallica tours. In this episode, Lars, James, and Kirk share what it was like playing communist Russia in front of millions – and that doesn’t include the government, who was watching them too. The stories move on to playing Day On The Green in Oakland, and at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in London. Other road warriors include: Tony Smith, Big Mick Hughes, Jake Perry, Ross Halfin, Geoff Tate, and Jason Newsted.

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On this episode, Metallica and Bob Rock share the story of their time in the studio making The Black Album. The reality vs. the myth: It was more a “coming together” than a tearing apart – but it just took a lot of hard work and playing to get there. Guests include: Bob Rock, Cliff Burnstein, Adam Dubin, David Fricke, and Alice Cooper.

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The Black Album was a totally different beast from the quartet – lyrically, musically, and instrumentally. This episode explores the band recording together in the same room for the first time and how it changed the way they played – and in perfect alignment with the ’80s turning into the ’90s, no less. Guests include: Bob Rock, Ross Halfin, Lzzy Hale, and Bob Rock’s son, Mik Rock, whose secret role on “Enter Sandman” is revealed for the first time anywhere.

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How will the band deal with bringing in an outsider? Why did they invite one in? On Side 2 of the podcast, the band enters the studio to record the Black Album with Producer Bob Rock. Guests include: Bob Rock, Jason Newsted, Alice Cooper, Rob Halford of Judas Priest, and Big Mick Hughes.

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Through four studio albums, Metallica established themselves as the most successful and respected band in metal. How did they get there? More importantly, what else did they have to prove? Why mess with success? This episode takes us from where it all began to moments before The Black Album was born. Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, and former member Jason Newsted are joined by Ron Quintana, Brian Slagel, Big Mick Hughes, and manager Cliff Burnstein.

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We're one week away from the release of The Metallica Podcast: Volume 1 — The Black Album. It's the story of The Black Album as only Metallica can tell it.

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Here’s a taste of The Metallica Podcast Volume 1. Available everywhere later this month.

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