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Metallica

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Metallica in Berlin, Germany on September 12, 2008.
Metallica in Berlin, Germany on September 12, 2008.

Metallica - the main subject of MetallicaWiki - is an American heavy metal band formed in 1981 in Los Angeles. Founded when drummer Lars Ulrich posted an advertisement in a Los Angeles newspaper, Metallica's line-up has primarily consisted of Ulrich, rhythm guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield, and lead guitarist Kirk Hammett, while going through several bassists: Cliff Burton, Jason Newsted, and, currently, Robert Trujillo.

Metallica's early releases included fast tempos, instrumentals, and aggressive musicianship that placed them as one of the "big four" of the thrash metal subgenre alongside Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax. The band earned a growing fan base in the underground music community and critical acclaim, with the 1986 release Master of Puppets described as one of the most influential and "heavy" thrash metal albums. The band achieved substantial commercial success with its self-titled 1991 album, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. With this release the band expanded its musical direction resulting in an album that appealed to a more mainstream audience.

Metallica released nine studio albums. The debut album Kill 'Em All was released in 1983, the most recent record, Death Magnetic, in September 2008.

Metallica is known for its relentless touring, although the tours became shorter in the recent years, as all members now have children. The most recent World Magnetic Tour have ended in November 2010. Metallica performed several shows in 2011, and has touring plans for 2012, too.

Contents

History

Formation, Megaforce Records

Metallica was formed by drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield in October of 1981 when Lars had convinced his friend Brian Slagel to feature his band on his upcoming complication album of up and coming Los Angeles bands, Metal Massacre, despite him not having a band.

The name Metallica came from Lars' friend Ron Quintana when the two were brainstorming for a name for his new fan magazine for New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands. Suggesting the name "Metallica", Lars told him the name "sucked" and took the name for himself, leaving Ron with "Metal Mania."

Metallica soon hired Lloyd Grant, a local guitarist, to record a solo for the song Hit The Lights. He declined to join the band full time. James' friend from school, Ron McGovney, recorded bass for the song and joined Metallica as a full time bassist.

The band began looking for a lead guitarist, and auditioned "Panic" guitarist, Dave Mustaine, he was hired after Lars and James were impressed by Dave's equipment, and the band began rehearsing and writing.

Metallica's first concert took place on March 14, 1982 in Radio City in Anaheim, California, the setlist consisted of 2 Original songs (Hit the Lights and Jump in the Fire), and 7 cover songs. Metallica was apparently badly-received by the crowd according to Lars Ulrich.

The band continued to play shows in Los Angeles and record demos. Including the famous, No Life 'Til Leather, which included songs like Hit The Lights, Phantom Lord and The Mechanix.

Around the time of late 1982, James and Lars began to doubt Ron's willingness to the band and they began looking for bass players. They soon viewed a band called Trauma, with bassist Cliff Burton, they were immediately "blown away" and immediately asked him to join the band, after resistance, Cliff agreed to join the band on the basis that Metallica move from their founding area and then home, Los Angeles, to San Francisco, a then hotbed for heavy metal bands like Slayer and Exodus. Ron, angered, quit and kicked the band out of his home, which was their then rehearsal space.

In April around, the band was offered 12 shows and recording time in New Jersey by Johnny and Marsha Zazula of "Rock N' Roll Heaven". On the trip to New Jersey by driving from California. The band began to doubt Dave's future in the band and almost immediately informed the Zazulas they were firing the guitarist. They asked Kirk Hammett, the guitarist of Exodus, to fly out to join them. On the morning of his arrival, Dave was informed of the decision and was driven to the local Greyhound bus station and forced on the next bus to San Francisco. He would go onto to form Megadeth, another thrash metal band.

While Dave went home, Kirk arrived and auditioned. He was never actually asked to join the band, but found himself recording solos for the debut album 3 weeks after his arrival, and has been Metallica's lead guitarist ever since.

Band Members

Metallica currently consists of:

Notable former members:

  • Jason Newsted - bass guitar, backing vocals (1986 - 2001)
  • Cliff Burton - bass guitar, backing vocals (1982 - 1986)
  • Dave Mustaine - lead guitar, backing vocals (1981 - 1983; never played on a Metallica album)
  • Ron McGovney - bass guitar, backing vocals (1981 - 1982; never played on a Metallica album)

Discography

Metallica have released nine studio albums and several EPs, live albums and compilations.

Studio albums

In addition to these studio albums, the band released various EPs, compilations and live recordings.

Live albums

EPs

Videos / DVDs

Cover albums

Fan exclusives

Singles

Tours

1980s Tours

1990s Tours

2000s Tours

2010s Tours

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