Metallica

American heavy metal band of the 1980s and 1990s. A pivotal member of the thrash metal scene, Metallica were formed by drummer and former tennis protege [Lars Ulrich]? as a direct reaction to the prevalent rock and roll music of the early 1980s. Inspired by bands such as [Diamond Head]? and Saxon, the so-called [New Wave Of British Heavy Metal]?, Metallica were single minded in their desire to break the grip of [soft metal]? on heavy metal fans.

Formed in Los Angeles in 1981 for a one-off demo recording, they soon relocated to San Francisco, replacing two original members ([Dave Mustaine]?, guitars - [Ron McGovney]?, bass) with bass player [Cliff Burton]? and guitarist Kirk Hammet. They built a healthy local following via word-of-mouth and, ironically given what was to come later, the band encouraging fans to produce and trade bootlegs of their live performances. By 1983 they'd signed with a small local label, MegaForce?, who would release their first two albums. The first album, /Kill Em All set the template that they would follow throughout the 1980s, strongly featuring the heavy vocals and rhythm guitar of [James Hetfield]?. The next, /Ride The Lightning expanded and improved their form with longer songs featuring both instrumental pyrotechnics and lyrics which rose above some of the more peurile songs on Kill 'Em All.

Signing to a major label, Elektra, in 1986 they went on to produce yet another record, by many of the original fans regarded as their best work, "/Master Of Puppets". The same year the band's bassist Cliff Burton perished in a coach-accident during a tour. The band eventually found a new bassist in Jason Newsted, and in 1988 they recorded the elbum entitled ...And Justice For All. In 1990, their self-titled album broadened the band's horizon again. Although still heavy rock, the record was produced with more of a pop sheen, and with a black cover that was a sly nod to [Spinal Tap]?, featured the hits Enter Sandman (which was pure Metallica) and "Nothing Else Matters", an acoustic ballad that outraged some of their more hardcore fans. Nevertheless, the album was a massive crossover hit, and brought Metallica firmly into the mainstream.

The 1990s saw the band further influenced by [alternative rock]? (guitarist Hetfield was friends with Kurt Cobain which had a major effect on 1996's /Load and 1997's /Reload.) The records further alienated their original fanbase, and by 1999's faintly ludicrous collaboration with San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, they were seemingly a spent artistic force.

Lars Ulrich, however, kept himself in the public eye with his frequent denouncements of the internet file sharing network Napster, claiming it was "sickening to know that our art is being traded like a commodity rather than the art that it is."

Members:

• [Lars Ulrich]?, drums

• Jason Newsted, bass (left the band in January 2001, no replacement as of yet.)

• Kirk Hammet, lead guitar

• [James Hetfield]?, vocals, rhythm guitar

Jason Newsted replaced [Cliff Burton]? after his death in 1986.

Discography

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