Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted says that Voivod, the veteran Canadian thrash band he recently joined, can kick Metallica's ass.

Says Jason: “I have to show respect to them, but at the same time I can offer the challenge. I'd like to play on the same stage, Voivod and Metallica, and we're gonna see who's what. That's really important to me, as a fan of Metallica, to see them come on and kick ass again. But also at the same time, I think that I'm in a band now that can kick their ass. So that's where it's at, guys. The offer's out on the table.”

“It would only happen if James [Hetfield] called me and asked me, or came to the house and asked me, looked me in the eyes and said, 'Dude, come rock with me,'" Jason continued. "I would have done that when I was asked that question three months ago. Now that I'm in this band, no, I wouldn't go back to Metallica. I'm not gonna go back to Metallica.”

"If the inevitable 'someday' comes and there's a reunion and we play 10 shows for some people and we make it a real special thing that can meet the quality of what we created," he continued, "then I would be a part of it somewhere down the line. But right now, Voivod is my main focus and 100 percent of my time. I don't see a lot happening in the Metallica camp. I don't see a lot of dedication to the music, and without that, you know, it's pretty tough."

"I get to live two dreams in one lifetime, and very few people get even a chance for one," Newsted said. "Voivod has always been one of the very special bands for people. And I'm the new guy again in this band, it's kind of a crazy thing."

Speaking about the new Voivod material, Jason says: “It has what Voivod's always had as far as quality and that unique thing that made the identifiable sound of Voivod ... all the ferocity and crazy dissonance of Voivod and the Snake sensibilities, except it goes boom."

Voivod have said that they would like to tour with Slayer or the Foo Fighter after the release of their new album on March 4th, 2003.