Lars Ulrich to Blame for Missing Bass on …And Justice for All?
Renowned producer Steve Thompson sat down for an interview recently with Ultimate-Guitar.com, during which he set the record straight concerning the missing bass on the 1988 Metallica classic, …And Justice for All. Thompson has produced and / or mixed multiple award-winning albums including Guns n’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction and Soundgarden’s A-Sides, but has been the target of criticism over the nearly inaudible bass tracks on the Metallica classic. According to Thompson, he only turned down the bass tracks at the insistence of Metallica’s drummer, Lars Ulrich. Thompson says he even asked to be removed from the project so as not to be associated with the recording, but label executives made him do it anyway.
According to Thompson, Ulrich had a clear idea about how he wanted the drums to sound, and ordered Thompson to turn down the bass. The sad part, Thompson said, was that the band’s bassist, Jason Newsted, had laid down some excellent bass tracks. The reason Thompson is speaking out now, he noted, is that he’s been hearing criticism over the missing bass on …And Justice for years, including, ironically, from Ulrich himself. The producer was invited to attend Metallica’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where Ulrich actually asked him “Hey, what happened to the bass in …Justice?”
