METALLICA’s search for a bassist has finally come to an end with the joining of OZZY OSBOURNE bassist, Robert Trujillo, (also JERRY CANTRELL, ex-SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, ex-INFECTIOUS GROOVES) as the newest member of METALLICA, the band announced via their official website:

“We’ve all known, and have been huge fans of Rob since the early ’90s when he was a part of the legendary Hardcore/Metal band SUICIDAL TENDENCIES. We got to know Rob when we played together with SUICIDAL in Europe 1993, during the Nowhere Else To Roam tour. We were impressed by Rob’s roaring bass style and his very cool, unique vibe onstage, things we got to see again during the ‘94 Summer Shit tour when SUICIDAL joined forces with us.

“We’ve taken a long time to find the right bass player for us. Obviously being a good bass player is important (!!) but it was also very important that whoever we found would fit in as a family member, a brother with a huge vibe. We wanted a fourth band member, not just a new bass player.

“When Rob came to San Francisco the first time and jammed with us, we all felt this incredible magic between the four of us. It was just something that we could not describe, we all just knew it. [METALLICA producer] Bob Rock told us right after the jam, that it sounded like a fucking 747 taking off!!

“We’re fuckin’ bristling with new energy, new respect, new vibes and a huge fucking appetite for everything METALLICA is. Having Rob here, and him choosing to become a part of our family, will enable us to get to yet another level. So welcome Rob!”

While METALLICA have been bass-less since the departure of long-time bass player Jason Newsted, who is now in VOIVOD, the timely addition of Trujillo comes in time for the band to begin rehearsing for their Summer Sanitarium stadium tour also featuring LIMP BIZKIT, LINKIN PARK, DEFTONES, and MUDVAYNE.

Meanwhile, a publicist for OZZY OSBOURNE confirmed that his band will have a new bass player in time for this summer’s OZZFEST.

METALLICA’s forthcoming album, St. Anger, due out June 10th, will not feature Trujillo. Vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield and Bob Rock handled all bass playing on the album.