Ep 1. Jason Newsted (former Metallica bassist/Newsted)

In the first episode of season 12 of That Metal Show, the legendary heavy metal bassist Jason Newsted joins the hosts Eddie Trunk, Jim Florentine, and Don Jamieson for an hour of rock and roll antics and discussion. Newsted, who is perhaps best known for his tenure as the bassist for heavy metal giants Metallica from 1986 to 2001, brings a wealth of experience and insight to the show, and the hosts waste no time in digging into his extensive history in the world of heavy metal.

The episode opens with the hosts introducing Newsted and welcoming him to the show, with Eddie Trunk highlighting Newsted's impressive resume, which include stints with bands like Ozzy Osbourne and Voivod in addition to his tenure with Metallica. The hosts quickly dive into discussion of Newsted's time with Metallica, with Trunk and company asking the bassist about his experiences recording and touring with one of the biggest bands in the world. Newsted is candid and insightful, offering anecdotes about the recording of classic Metallica albums and sharing his thoughts on what it was like to be part of a band that was so immensely popular.

Throughout the episode, the hosts and Newsted also discuss a range of other topics related to heavy metal, including the rise of thrash metal in the 80s, the legacy of Lemmy Kilmister, and the state of the heavy metal scene today. Newsted proves to be an engaging and entertaining guest, sharing stories and perspectives that will be of interest to any fan of heavy metal.

One of the highlights of the episode is when the hosts ask Newsted to list his top five classic metal albums of all time. Newsted's picks range from the expected (Black Sabbath's Master of Reality) to the surprising (Jethro Tull's Aqualung), and his explanations for each pick are thoughtful and engaging. In addition to discussing his favorite albums, Newsted also talks about his own music, including his most recent release, Heavy Metal Music, which he plays a song from live on the show.

Throughout the episode, the hosts also engage in their trademark comedy bits, including the always-popular "Stump the Trunk" segment, in which Eddie Trunk tries to answer trivia questions about obscure metal bands. There's also a segment called "Put It On the Table," in which the hosts and Newsted discuss various controversial topics related to heavy metal, such as the use of backing tracks in live performances and the trend of bands using holograms of deceased members during concerts.

Overall, the first episode of season 12 of That Metal Show is a must-watch for any fan of heavy metal. With a fascinating guest and plenty of engaging discussion, the episode is a great kickoff to what promises to be another excellent season of the show.