Armored Saint Frontman John Bush Defends Metallica’s Shift On ‘Black Album’: ‘It Was The Right Move’

Few musicians have a unique perspective on Metallica quite like John Bush. The current Armored Saint and former Anthrax vocalist—who also declined an offer to become Metallica‘s lead singer in the early 1980s—recently weighed in on the legacy of the band’s pivotal 1991 self-titled record, commonly known as The Black Album.

In a new appearance on the program “Wired In The Empire” with host Radioactive MikeZ, Bush reflected on the controversial sonic shift that saw the thrash legends move away from the complex arrangements of …And Justice For All toward a more radio-friendly, heavy rock sound under the guidance of producer Bob Rock.

“I think [producer] Bob Rock scared some people when he came aboard, but you heard it and you’re, like, ‘Wow.’ Just the power of it and the production of it,” Bush said during the interview (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “It was very different from …And Justice For All, let’s face it. I think it was the right step, needless to say. It went on to be one of the biggest hard rock records of all time. So, it was the right move. They were ready to take that step. And I love that album. The Black Album is incredible.”

Bush had high praise for James Hetfield‘s evolution on the record, noting that the frontman “took his vocal level to a whole another place” and that the songwriting on tracks like “Wherever I May Roam,” “Sad But True,” and “Enter Sandman” was “incredible.”

Beyond just the production, Bush argued that Metallica‘s longevity is directly tied to their willingness to alienate purists. He pointed to risky career moves—such as the Lulu collaboration with Lou Reed or the raw production of St. Anger—as evidence of a band that refuses to stagnate.

“The thing I always say about Metallica, and I mean this sincerely, is that they’re always willing to take chances… I don’t think everyone got the Lou Reed record, but they did it,” Bush explained. “And to me, that’s the thing I always say about bands is taking chances… I think the bands that stay the test of time are ones that are willing to take chances.”

He drew a parallel to his time in Anthrax, citing their rap-metal crossover “I’m The Man” as a similar gamble that paid off. According to Bush, bands that last for four decades inevitably release material that divides their fanbase, but it is a necessary evil to avoid becoming a “nostalgia act” that simply repeats its early successes.

“If you’re around for four decades of music, you’re probably gonna do some things that maybe the fanbase is gonna be, like, ‘Eh.’… But the reality is you have to be willing to branch out and try different things. ‘Cause if you don’t, you feel stale.”

Bush‘s commentary carries the weight of a peer who has witnessed Metallica‘s rise from the very beginning. In the early 80s, prior to Armored Saint taking off, Bush was approached by Metallica‘s then-manager Jonny Z to front the band, but he opted to stay with his childhood friends. Despite the “what if” scenario, Bush has maintained a close friendship with the band, recently sharing that Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, and Robert Trujillo watched Armored Saint‘s set from the side of the stage at the Sonic Temple festival earlier this year.