Metallica mixer criticizes lack of bass on ‘. . . And Justice for All’

Mixing engineer Steve Thompson has commented on the controversial lack of audible bass on Metallica’s fourth studio album, ‘. . . And Justice for All’. Speaking on the Appetite for Distortion podcast, Thompson stated he “thought it was stupid” to bury the bass, noting that while he fought for the instrument, the final decision rested with the band.

Thompson remarked that Jason Newsted’s bass parts were a “perfect” match for James Hetfield’s rhythm guitars, but he ultimately had to respect the band's wishes. Producer Flemming Rasmussen previously noted that the decision stemmed from the band members wanting to prioritize the sound of the drums and guitars, with Lars Ulrich specifically requesting the bass be turned down to better hear other elements.