Metallica is a legendary metal band whose music can be found under such genres as metal, thrash, and garage. They formed in California in the early 1980's with the original lineup of James Hetfield (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Lars Ulrich (drums), Dave Mustaine (lead guitar), and Ron McGovney (bass guitar). Ron wasn't exactly pulling his weight in the band, and he was replaced once they discovered Cliff Burton. Cliff would only join if the rest of the band moved to San Francisco, and so they did just that. Not long after, Dave was replaced with Kirk Hammett because of his alchohol problems. Metallica released their first album, Kill 'em All, in 1983. Then in 1984, Ride the Lightning was released. It seemed the band was heading for success when they released their third album, Master of Puppets, but their career nearly came to a halt with the tragic death of Cliff during a tour bus accident on September 27th, 1986 when they were on their way to Denmark. But Metallica soon found a new bassist (Jason Newsted)and released ...And Justice For All. By that time, they had entered of world of sex, drugs, and alchohol, but that didn't affect their music until much later. In 1991, their self-titled album, which is also known as the ''Black Album,'' was released and it became their best-selling album yet. Then in 1996, Load was released, followed by Reload in 1997. In 1998, they released Garage Inc., a compilation of cover songs originally done by artists such as The Misfits, Thin Lizzy, Nick Cave, Mercyful Fate, and Diamondhead. A year later they released another compilation called S&M, which is a bunch of their songs performed live with the San Francisco orchestra, including several songs that aren't on any of their albums such as No Leaf Clover, Ecstasy of Gold, and -Human. Not long after that, James went to rehab for eight months on account of his alchohol problems. And by that time, Jason had left the band because of personal reasons and also to launch his new band, Echobrain. To add to their problems, Lars had recently filed a lawsuit against Napster because their songs were being sold online for free, therefore they were losing money. Because of that, some of their fans got angry and turned against them. James returned from rehab in time to record Metallica's most current album, St. Anger, at the Presidio, a military base that's no longer in use. Bob Rock, their producer, played bass on that album since they had not yet found Robert Trujillo, their replacement for Jason. Around this time, they released a documentary called Some Kind of Monster that talks mostly about their struggles as a band and the counseling they've gone through. All in all, Metallica is a great band that has withstood the test of time and will most likely be around for many more years.
by 62Orion86 July 20, 2008
Get the metallicamug. Master of Puppets is Metallica's third album. It was released in 1986, which is the same year that bassist Cliff Burton died in a tragic bus accident on September 27th. Master of Puppets includes Battery, Master of Puppets, The Thing That Should Not Be, Welcome Home (Sanitarium), Disposable Heroes, Leper Messiah, Orion, and Damage Inc. It is arguiably one of Metallica's best albums.
''Master of puppets, I'm pulling your strings, twisting your mind and smashing your dreams. Blinded by fear, you can't see a thing. Just call my name 'cause I'll hear you scream: master, master! Just call my name 'cause I'll hear you scream: master, master!''
by 62Orion86 December 28, 2005
Get the Master of Puppetsmug. Ride the Lightning is Metallica's second album. It was released in 1984 and its tracklist is as follows: Fight Fire With Fire, Ride the Lightning, For Whom the Bell Tolls, Fade to Black, Trapped Under Ice, Escape, Creeping Death, and The Call of Ktulu.
Ride the Lightning is one of Metallica's best albums in the opinions of both veteran fans and new fans alike.
by 62Orion86 September 26, 2005
Get the ride the lightningmug.