Robert Trujillo’s Favorite Bassists: A Guitarist’s Insight

Renowned bassist Robert Trujillo has expressed his admiration for grunge guitar icon Jerry Cantrell, highlighting Cantrell as one of his top inspirations in the realm of bass playing.

It’s true — Trujillo, best known for his work with Metallica, considers Cantrell a significant influence on his musical journey.

In a recent episode of The Metallica Report podcast, Trujillo and Cantrell engaged in an in-depth conversation about Cantrell’s latest album, I Want Blood, on which Trujillo contributed bass lines for three standout tracks: “Vilified,” “Off the Rails,” and “It Comes.”

Their musical collaboration extends back many years, as Trujillo also laid down the bass for Cantrell’s acclaimed second solo project, Degradation Trip, released in 2002, further solidifying their artistic bond.

Describing the Degradation Trip album, Cantrell remarked, “It’s a doomy record!” This project emerged just months after the tragic passing of Layne Staley, the legendary frontman of Alice In Chains, which added a profound emotional depth to the music.

“Rob and Mike [Bordin] traveled this difficult journey with me, and I know it wasn’t easy for them… They faced the tough challenges during one of the hardest times in my life, but together we created a truly remarkable piece of art,” Cantrell reflected on their collaboration.

As Cantrell began crafting the new songs for I Want Blood, he instinctively knew Trujillo’s bass style was essential for several tracks. Trujillo expressed his appreciation for the music and shared how Cantrell’s influence has significantly impacted his own bass playing skills.

“When I first heard the demos for this collection of songs, it resonated with me deeply,” Trujillo revealed regarding I Want Blood. “It felt like the perfect moment to reconnect with Jerry, and I was eager to contribute to this project. We spent countless hours rehearsing together in his living room, really immersing ourselves in the music.”

“Jerry stands out as one of my top bass players, especially when it comes to composition,” Trujillo noted. “His approach is incredibly tasteful, and I’m not sure if he realizes this, but I learned a lot from him during the recording of Degradation Trip. He taught me the beauty of simplicity and the significance of each note in relation to the chord. This ‘less is more’ philosophy was invaluable. It was a joy to reconnect and revisit that creative space.”

READ MORE: Exploring the ‘Big 4’ of Grunge Guitarists

Trujillo went on to compare the rich sonic diversity present in I Want Blood to Metallica’s recent album, 72 Seasons, admitting that the final track, “It Comes,” posed one of the most significant challenges in his recording career.

“The challenge lies in the vastness of the track; it strips you down. You feel entirely exposed,” he explained, emphasizing how every nuance in the song’s details becomes critical to its overall impact.

“There’s nowhere to conceal yourself!” Cantrell interjected, underscoring the raw authenticity of the music.

Make sure to listen to the complete podcast episode below.

Discover the Grunge Guitar Legend Who Inspires Robert Trujillo