Metallica History

 

Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield founded the heavy metal act Metallica in the southern Californian town of Los Angeles. Both had been looking to start a band, and happened to place classified ads in the same magazine looking for players. They eventually met up and recruited bassist Ron McGovney to join them in playing music that was influenced by such acts as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, the Ramones, the Misfits, and Mercyful Fate.

In the year 1982, Metallica enlisted Dave Mustaine to join the band as lead guitarist. Things quickly turned sour between Mustaine and his band mates, however; they proved deeply resistant to his erratic, drug fuelled behavior and eventually kicked him out of the band before the recording of their debut album, Kill ‘Em All. Kirk Hammett replaced Mustaine.

Kill ‘Em All was originally meant to be entitled Metal Up Your Ass, but after the band’s record company voiced objections, Metallica agreed to change the title. The album was released in 1983 too much fanfare in the underground music scene.

The following year, Metallica followed up with Ride the Lightning, which included some slower numbers, such as “Fade to Black,” which would set the fledgling group apart from similar thrash metal bands.

But it was not until the year 1986 that Metallica would breakthrough to the mainstream. That was the year of the release of Master of Puppets, considered by many to be among the finest metal albums ever recorded.

It would take the band another two years to release their next album, …And Justice for All, owing to the death of their bassist, Cliff Burton, who had replaced McGovney. With new bassist Jason Newsted in tow, the band received its first ever Grammy Award nomination.

But it was the 1991 Metallica that would prove to be the band’s masterpiece. Featuring such songs as “Enter Sandman,” Metallica has yet to live down the commercial and critical success of Metallica.

The band continues to record and perform to this day.