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Metallica Biography

Updated: Jul 25



Metallica is an American metal band that was formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by their vocalist and guitarist James Hetfeild and their drummer Lars Ulritch. The band consists of Kirk Hammet on Lead Guitar, Lars Ulrich on Drums, Robert Trujillo on Bass, and James Hetfeild on Vocals and Rhythm Guitar. The band came up with their name from Ulrich's friend, Ron Quintana , who was brainstorming for a fanzine and was considering Metalmania or Metallica. After hearing the names Lars wanted the second of the two and suggested that Ron take Metalmania. During one of their live performances in Espace Balard, Paris, at the start of Phantom Lord, James says “In case you didn’t know, we are f**king Metallica, we are a bunch of alcoholics from California”.


The band's first album, Ron McGovney's '82 Garage Demo, released in 1982. Their second album, (first studio album)  Kill ‘Em All (originally called Metal Up Your Ass) was recorded in May 1983 shortly before they fired Dave Mustaine from the band because of his drug and alcohol abuse and violent behaviour. At this time they were part of the Thrash Metal genre. Shortly after they recruited bassist Cliff Burton after they were amazed by his use of a wah-wah pedal. They recorded their second studio album Ride the Lighting at sweet silence studio in Denmark in March 1984. A French press accidentally printed the cover green instead of blue, which are now considered collectors items. Mustaine received credit for Ride the Lightning and Call of Ktulu. Metallica recorded their third studio album Master of Puppets in December 1985 and was released in March 1986. It was the band's first album to be certified gold in November 1986 and was certified platinum six times in 2003. On September 27 1986 during the European part of their Damage, Inc. tour they drew cards to decide who got what bunks on the tour bus they were on. Cliff won and chose to sleep in James bunk. Around sunrise near Dörarp, Sweden, the bus driver lost control and skidded. This caused the bus to overturn several times. Lars, Kirk and James sustained no injuries but Cliff was pinned under the bus and died.


After Burton's death the remaining three members decided that Cliff would want them to carry on, and with the Burton family blessing they sought out a replacement. Roughly 40 people auditioned for Burton's spot. They ended up deciding on Jason Newsted. In 1987 A video titled Cliff ‘Em All was released, commemorating Burton’s three years with the band. The video included bass solos, home videos and photos. In 1988 Metallica released their first studio album since Cliff's death, … And Justice For All. The album was a commercial success, reaching number 6 on Billboard 200. This was the band's first album to get in the top 10. In October 1990 the band recorded their next album, Metallica (also known as the black album). The album was remixed three times and cost US$1 million, and ended both James and Lars' marriages.


Three years later the band spent a year writing and recording songs resulting in the release of Load in 1996. Load landed number one on Billboard 200. The band had recorded enough songs to fill a double album. They decided that half of the songs were to be released and they would continue working on the other half. The following year they released the remaining songs in the album Reload. In 1989 they released another double album titled Garage Inc. On January 17 2001 Jason Newsted left the band. He said he left the band the reason he gave is “private and personal reasons, and the physical damage I have done playing the music I love”. In 2001 James entered rehab for his alcoholism and other addictions. In January 2004 a documentary was released titled Some Kind of Monster. In 2003 The album St. Anger was released and placed number one on the Billboard 200. After the recording of St. Anger Robert Trujillo joined Metallica as their new bassist. On August 18 2016 The band released their tenth studio album Hardwired… to Self-Destruct. This album also placed number one on the Billboard 200. On April 27 2023 they released their newest album 72 seasons.


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