JASON NEWSTED: METALLICA 'Would Have Imploded' If I Hadn't Left

NEWSTED — the new band led by former METALLICA, VOIVOD and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM bassist Jason Newsted — took part in a press conference yesterday (Friday, June 7) after its performance at this year's edition of the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden. You can now watch video footage of the question-and-answer session below.

When asked to explain his recent statement that he "saved METALLICA" twice — once when he joined the group in 1986 as the replacement for Cliff Burton and the second time when he left the band in 2001 — Jason said: "I don't think it really needs a giant explanation. They chose the right person [to replace Cliff], [and] we were able to go through what we did and accomplish what we did. I had to make a great sacrifice when I left in order for the band to continue. I think it would have imploded if I wouldn't have left. It gave them, I think, another chance to reform themselves; somebody had to step up and do it. So that's what I mean by that. Nothing grand or anything like that. That's kind of what I feel. And it's in no way disrespectful or negative — only a positive thing — that I got to help my favorite band and got to be a part of my favorite band. Now I'm back to being a fan of them again as they continue to set standards. So it's all good."

"Heroic Dose", a brand new song from NEWSTED. can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off NEWSTED's full-length debut, "Heavy Metal Music", which will be released on August 6 in North America via Chophouse Records/Collective Sounds and August 5 in Europe through Spinefarm Records. Jason told Billboard.com the 11-song album will be very similar to the band's debut EP, "Metal", which sold around 6,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 62 on The Billboard 200 chart. "The EP was always intended to be the primer, a sampler of what was to come on the LP," he said. "It's all metal all the time. It's not all fast, but it is all heavy."

"Heavy Metal Music" track listing:

01. Heroic Dose
02. Soldierhead
03. ...As The Crow Flies
04. Ampossible
05. Long Time Dead
06. Above All
07. King Of The Underdogs
08. Nocturnus
09. Twisted Tail Of The Comet
10. Kindevillusion
11. Futureality

NEWSTED has been confirmed for this year's edition of Gigantour, the critically acclaimed package festival founded in 2005 by MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine. Also scheduled to appear on the bill are headliners MEGADETH, along with BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, DEVICE, HELLYEAH and DEATH DIVISION.

NEWSTED kicked off its first-ever U.S. tour on April 19 at Red House in Walnut Creek, California. The 14-date trek concluded on May 23 in Asbury Park, New Jersey and has led into a number of European festival appearances for the band, which is rounded out by STAIND guitarist Mike Mushok, drummer Jesus Mendez Jr. and guitarist Jessie Farnsworth.

NEWSTED is:

Jason Newsted - Bass, Lead Vocals
Jesus Mendez Jr. (THE NAPOLEON BLOWNAPARTS) - Drums
Jessie Farnsworth - Guitar, Backing Voice
Mike Mushok (STAIND) – Guitar

Press conference:

"Heroic Dose" audio stream:

Photo credit: Fran Strine