Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted is expressing his openness to collaborations, marking a departure from his iconic role in the renowned band. While not signaling a full-fledged reunion, Newsted recently made a guest appearance on The Metallica Report, the band’s weekly podcast hosted by Steffan Chirazi, editor of Metallica’s online So What! magazine, and Renée Richardson, director of philanthropy for Metallica’s All Within My Hands charity foundation.

During the podcast, Newsted, also known for his skills as a painter, provided insights into his current activities and hinted at the prоspect of potential musical ventures. He shared, “Offers come in to play music collaborations. I’m open to those things, but I’m really very, very picky about those proposals these days.

Notably, Newsted mentioned a collaboration that didn’t materialize—an Eddie Van Halen tribute tour. The proposed project featured Newsted alongside Alex Van Halen, the drummer from Van Halen, and the renowned guitarist Joe Satriani. In a 2022 interview, Newsted discussed the venture, revealing that it ultimately did not come to fruition.

In the podcast interview on The Metallica Report, Newsted fondly reminisced about some of his cherished memories with Metallica, highlighting the significance of playing at Colorado’s iconic Red Rocks venue in 1989. Reflecting on that moment, he expressed, “We moved the Earth right then.”

While Newsted’s return to Metallica seems unlikely, his openness to collaborations suggests that fans may witness new musical projects featuring the accomplished bassist in the future. The podcast episode provides a glimpse into Newsted’s current mindset and creative pursuits outside the realm of Metallica.