Jason Newsted played bass on Metallica’s 1991 self-titled album, commonly called The Black Album.
Newsted had joined Metallica after the death of bassist Cliff Burton in 1986. The Black Album was his second full-length studio album with the band, following ...And Justice for All, although his bass parts on that earlier record were famously difficult to hear in the final mix.
For The Black Album, the bass was more audible and integrated into the record’s heavier, polished production. Newsted also received songwriting credit on “My Friend of Misery,” alongside James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich. The song developed from a bass-oriented instrumental idea and became one of the album’s darker closing tracks.
Newsted remained Metallica’s bassist until his departure in 2001. Robert Trujillo later replaced him, so Trujillo is associated with later Metallica recordings but did not play on The Black Album. Cliff Burton, meanwhile, had died years before these sessions began.