A Review: Metal - EP

Jason Newsted is widely known for his tenure as the longest serving bassist of Metallica, having been with the band for four studio albums (...And Justice for All, Metallica, Load, Reload), two live albums (Live Shit: Binge and Purge, S&M), and one cover album (Garage Inc.) since the passing of their original bassist, Clifford Lee Burton. He helped to propel the legendary quartet to mainstream success through his musical expertise, renowned, heavy bass riffs, and reckless on-stage persona. Since his departure from Metallica in 2001, Newsted has been involved in various projects and collaborations, the most notable of these being the alternative-metal group Echobrain and the heavy metal supergroup WhoCares. However, his latest 4-song release entitled Metal - EP finds the acclaimed, yet severely-underrated bassist returning to his thrash-metal roots. Despite the short length of Metal - EP, it's packed with major volume and delivers ripping vocals, heavy, catchy, riffs, and blistering tempos which can be compared to the likes of Motörhead and Metallica's debut album Kill 'Em All. With this being said, Newsted, an "old-timer" if you will, delivers purely authentic heavy metal in an age where mainstream music dominates the airwaves and the record charts. From the off-the-chart ferociousness of "Soldierhead" to the power and angst of "Skyscraper," this blistering EP throws heavy metal in your face from start to finish, and speaking for the rest of the metal community, we wouldn't want to have it any other way. I'm extremely looking forward and ready for what the future holds for Jason Newsted, as he is reunited with his true element and the sound which has contributed to his overall success as a famed, heavy metal musician.