Metallica

Metallica is one of the pioneering bands of Thrash Metal, and is considered one of the "Big Four" of thrash, along with Anthrax, Slayer, and Megadeth (the last formed after guitarist Mustaine was kicked out of the band and replaced by Kirk Hammett, late of Exodus). The band was formed in the early '80s when aspiring Danish tennis player/drummer Lars Ulrich placed an ad in a Los Angeles newspaper, which, in one of those moments of synchronicity, was answered by singer/guitarist James Hetfield. In the heady days of The '80s, they forged their way from being the supporting act at tiny club gigs to opening for and headlining stadium tours, with next to no support from radio. In The '90s, the band moved away from thrash metal (according to Hammett, "Touring behind [Justice], we realized that the general consensus was that songs were "too fucking long", though the rise of grunge and alt-rock probably also had something to do with it), first coming out with their massively successful self-titled album Metallica (aka "The Black Album"), then the rock-, country- and blues-tinged alt-rock pair Load and ReLoad. Metallica is perhaps best known for its somewhat turbulent relationship with its fans.
* Lars Ulrich - drums (1981-present)
* James Hetfield - lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1981-present)
* Kirk Hammett - lead guitar, backing vocals (1983-present)
* Dave Mustaine - lead guitar, backing vocals (1982-1983)
* Cliff Burton - bass, backing vocals (1982-1986, died 1986)
* Jason Newsted - bass, backing vocals (1986-2001)
* 1993 - Live Shit: Binge & Purge
* 1999 - S & M
Category:Heavy Metal
Category:Progressive Metal
Category:Thrash Metal
Category:Punk Metal
Category:1981 Debuts
Category:Present Day Bands
Category:Big Four of Thrash
Category:The 80s
Category:The 90s
Category:DIY bands
Category:Grunge
Category:Alt-Rock
Category:Rock
Category:Country
Category:Blues
Category:Live Bands