Metallica

Metallica is one of the world’s best-known – and longest running – heavy metal outfits. They were formed in the year 1981, and continue to record and perform to this day, having become one of the world’s most commercially successful bands. All told, Metallica has managed to sell well over ninety million records all over the world, about 57 million of which were sold in the United States of America. Alongside Anthrax, Megadeth, and Slayer, Metallica are credited with having revolutionized the thrash metal sub genre.

Drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist and lead vocalist James Hetfield formed the band in the year 1981 in southern California. Throughout the 1980s, Metallica maintained a rigorous touring and recording schedule and endured numerous line up changes before releasing their mainstream breakthrough album, Master of Puppets, in the middle of the decade. With the death of bassist Cliff Burton in a road accident, the band’s evolution was slowed down a bit – it would take them another two years to release their next album, …And Justice for All.

In 1991, Metallica launched a highly successful partnership with producer Bob Rock with the release of the album Metallica, known among fans as “the Black Album.” This would be the band’s most commercially successful venture, boasting several hit songs, including “Enter Sandman,” “The Unforgiven,” and “Nothing Else Matters.” The band continued working with Rock up to their most recent album, St. Anger. Recently, Metallica announced that their next album would be produced by Rick Rubin of Johnny Cash fame.

Among the band’s numerous awards and accolades, they have won several Grammy Awards, MTV Music Awards, American Music Awards, Kerrang Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Bammies, and a Governor’s Award. In addition, they were listed on the top of VH1’s list of the greatest metal bands of all time.