Metallica

Metallica
Library of Congress Life · CC0 · source
Name	Metallica
Caption	James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo, and Lars Ulrich
Background	group

Metallica is a renowned American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles by Danish drummer Lars Ulrich and vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield in 1981. The band's early work was influenced by Judas Priest, Motörhead, and Iron Maiden, and they are often credited with helping to popularize the thrash metal genre alongside bands like Slayer and Megadeth. Metallica has undergone several lineup changes, with Dave Mustaine being one of the founding members before being replaced by Kirk Hammett in 1983. The band has collaborated with numerous artists, including Lou Reed and Lady Gaga.

History

Metallica's formation was facilitated by Lars Ulrich's friendship with Brian Slagel, the founder of Metal Blade Records, who helped the band secure a record deal. The band's first album, Kill 'Em All, was released in 1983 and was produced by Paul Curcio. Metallica's early years were marked by extensive touring with bands like Raven and Anthrax, and they gained a significant following in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City. The band's second album, Ride the Lightning, was released in 1984 and featured the song "For Whom the Bell Tolls", which was inspired by the Ernest Hemingway novel of the same name. Metallica has also been associated with the Cliff Burton era, during which they released the album Master of Puppets in 1986, which is often cited as one of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time, alongside works by Black Sabbath and Judas Priest.

Members

The current members of Metallica are James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo, and Lars Ulrich. The band has had several former members, including Dave Mustaine, who went on to form Megadeth, and Cliff Burton, who died in a bus accident in 1986 while the band was on tour with Ozzy Osbourne and Def Leppard. Metallica has also worked with several session musicians, including Jason Newsted, who played bass on the album ...And Justice for All in 1988, and Bob Rock, who produced several of the band's albums, including Metallica in 1991 and Load in 1996. The band has collaborated with numerous other artists, including Eric Clapton, Page Hamilton, and Marianne Faithfull.

Music

Metallica's music is characterized by its aggressive and fast-paced style, which is often associated with the thrash metal genre. The band's early work was influenced by NWOBHM bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, and they are often credited with helping to popularize the heavy metal genre in the 1980s. Metallica's music has also been influenced by hard rock bands like Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin, and they have incorporated elements of blues and classical music into their sound. The band has released several albums that are considered classics of the heavy metal genre, including Master of Puppets and ...And Justice for All, which have been cited as influences by bands like Slipknot and Korn. Metallica has also been compared to other notable bands, such as Guns N' Roses and Van Halen.

Discography

Metallica has released eleven studio albums, including Kill 'Em All in 1983, Ride the Lightning in 1984, and Metallica in 1991. The band's most successful album is Metallica, which has been certified 16x multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America and has sold over 30 million copies worldwide. Metallica has also released several live albums, including Live Shit: Binge & Purge in 1993 and S&M in 1999, which features the band performing with the San Francisco Symphony conducted by Michael Kamen. The band's discography also includes Death Magnetic in 2008 and Hardwired...to Self-Destruct in 2016, which have been well-received by critics and fans alike, and have drawn comparisons to the works of AC/DC and Queen.

Tours

Metallica has embarked on several extensive tours throughout their career, including the Damage, Inc. Tour in 1986 and the WorldWired Tour in 2016. The band has performed at numerous music festivals, including Lollapalooza and Download Festival, and has headlined several tours with bands like Guns N' Roses and Faith No More. Metallica has also performed with several notable artists, including Lady Gaga and Avenged Sevenfold, and has been a part of several high-profile tours, including the Big 4 tour with Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax in 2010. The band's live performances have been praised by critics and fans, and have been compared to those of The Rolling Stones and U2.

Awards and legacy

Metallica has won numerous awards throughout their career, including nine Grammy Awards and two American Music Awards. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009 and has been named one of the greatest bands of all time by Rolling Stone and Kerrang!. Metallica's music has been featured in several films and television shows, including The Matrix and South Park, and has been used in various forms of media, including video games and commercials. The band's influence can be heard in the music of numerous other artists, including Slipknot and Korn, and they continue to be one of the most popular and influential bands in the world, alongside The Beatles and Michael Jackson. Metallica has also been recognized for their philanthropic efforts, particularly through their work with the All Within My Hands foundation, which supports various charitable causes, including UNICEF and the American Red Cross.