Metallica star Robert Trujillo explains how he is 'always contributing'

Robert Trujillo just addressed not writing songs for Metallica anymore.

The legendary rock band’s bassist, who joined them in 2003, was one of their accredited composers on the 2008’s Death Magnetic.

Fast forwarding to 2016, over the span of many years, Trujillo’s credit reduced to only on the song, Manunkind and as co-writer on three songs for Metallica’s 2023 album, 72 Seasons.

In his appearance on the One Life One Chance podcast, he addressed why he isn’t writing songs anymore, saying, "I’m joining Metallica, and these guys write amazing songs, and I’m just not going to suddenly insert myself into [it].”

"I like to keep people happy and comfortable. My role is always to support what’s needed for the team,” he added.

The 60-year-old artist added, "I’m writing a song with the guys, I’m contributing that way.”

Trujillo also mentioned that despite him not always getting the credits, Metallica has a rather collaborative experience when they work on a song, saying, "I mean, we’re always contributing.

He continued, "Whether you see the name on the song or not, I’m in the room every time we’re working on music: I’m there, with Lars [Ulrich] and James [Hetfield].”

“There are times when I’m like, ‘I’ve got some cool ideas,’ and James is always receptive. If you listen to the middle section of You Must Burn! on the new record, that’s James and I jamming in the tuning room, and then it becomes a part of this particular song,” the Unforgiven rocker mentioned.

Robert Trujillo expressed how Metallica’s priority is to maintain peace and ensuring that each band member “respects” one another.