Gary Graff of Billboard reports that former METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted, who is currently fronting his own band called NEWSTED, "never really intended on doing any of this or coming back out in this way at all."

Jason was particularly affected by his guest appearance during Metallica's 30th anniversary shows during late 2011 in San Francisco. "That was really a catalyst for all this," Newsted acknowledges. "I hadn't really been among the people for a long time. I've never gone to see a Metallica show or anything since I left the band (in 2001). So when I did that show, people were so happy to see me, I was overwhelmed."

The Newsted band - which includes guitarists Mike Mushok of STAIND and Jessie Farnsworth, and drummer Jesus Mendez, Jr. - released the four-song Metal EP in January. Newsted says he's "nervously excited" about being the frontman and namesake for the group, but he also feels it will mitigate any confusion over what fans can expect from the music. "I figured if I was going to go back out and use the money I earned in Metallica to make the band happen and be all the way in it, I don't want there to be any mistakes or confusion over what's coming," he explains. "I want to make sure everybody knows what this is. With my name on it, there's no confusion; this is metal, heavy metal music. People know what they're going to get." "

Newsted says the 13-song album, which he hopes to finish during August and have out in early September, will follow suit. "The EP was always intended to be the primer, a sampler of what was to come on the LP," he says. "It's all metal all the time. It's not all fast, but it is all heavy."

To read the article in its entirety, click here.

Newsted is about to embark on a European tour, confirmed dates include:

May

31 - Sonisphere Festival Madrid - Madrid, Spain

June

1 - Sonisphere Festival Barcelona - Barcelona, Spain
5 - Impact Festival - Warsaw, Poland
7 - Sweden Rock Festival - Solvesborg, Sweden
8 - Rock Im Park Clubstage - Nuremberg, Germany
9 - Rock Am Ring Clubstage - Nurburgring, Germany - SOLD OUT
10 - Trix - Antwerp, Belgium (with MASTODON)
12 - 100 Club - London, England
15 - Copenhell - Copenhagen, Denmark
16 - Download Festival - Nottingham, United Kingdom
19 - Alcatraz - Milan, Italy (with SLAYER)
21 - Seerock Festival - Graz, Austria
23 - Hellfest - Clisson, France
25 - Belgrade Arena - Belgrade, Serbia (with SLAYER)
26 - Hegyalja Feztival - Tokaj, Hungary
27 - With Full Force Festival - Leipzig, Germany
29 - Rock The Beach - Helsinki, Finland
30 - Graspop Metal Meeting - Dessel, Belgium

Newsted's video for 'Soldierhead' from the Metal EP can be seen below: