Metallica

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Biography

Metallica (formed 1981) Metallica is a Los Angeles-based heavy metal band. The band is one of the most successful heavy rock bands of all time and rose to fame with the release of 1986's Master of Puppets.

Formation: In 1981, Lars Ulrich placed an advert in The Recycler, an LA newspaper, looking for musicians to join him on drums, and citing Tygers of Pan Am, Iron Maiden and Diamond Head as influences. James Hetfield and Hugh Tanner, two guitarists, responded to the ad. A second ad found Dave Mustaine, on lead guitar, who was recruited on account of his extensive and expensive range of guitars and equipment. With Hetfield on bass on vocals, the band recorded 'Hit the Lights' for the Metal Massacre I compilation.

The band's first live show was in March 1982, at Radio City, in California. Ron McGovney had been recruited to play bass by this point. Later that year, they watched a band called Trauma at the Whiskey-A-Go-Go and recruited one of their members. Cliff Burton accepted and replaced McGovney. His first appearance on record with Metallica was the Megaforce demo.

The band's debut album was made possible by promoter Johnny Zazula, who borrowed money to set up his own label, Megaforce Recordings. Mustaine was forced out of the band for drug misuse and Kirk Hamnett was swiftly brought in to replace him.

1983 Onwards, Career Highlights: Metallica's debut album, Metal Up Your Ass was released in 1983, produced by Paul Curcio. The album was eventually renamed as Kill 'Em All, after distributors reacted against the original title. The album peaked at 120 on the US album charts and helped to build a fan base on the underground metal circuit in the US. In 1984, Metallica supported Venom on their Seven Dates of Hell tour.

Metallica's second studio album was released in 1984. Ride the Lightening included songs such as 'For Whom The Bell Tolls' and 'Creeping Death'.

In late 1984, an Elektra Records A&R representative attended a Metallica gig and the label eventually signed them. Metallica went on tour with Tank, playing to average crowds of 1300, their largest tour yet. They also played huge shows with W.A.S.P. and Armored Saint, as well as the Monsters of Rock festival at Donington Park, UK.

One of the band's most iconic albums, Master of Puppets, was released in 1986. The album reached number 29 in the US and was certified gold later that year. In 2003, the album was certified six times platinum. During their tour supporting Ozzy Osbourne, Hetfield broke his wrist whilst skateboarding. He continued on vocals, but guitar technician John Marshall had to play rhythm guitar for the band.

In September 1986, whilst on tour in Sweden, the driver of the tour bus lost control of the vehicle. Cliff Burton was pinned under the bus and eventually died. The remaining members of the band finally decided to continue with the band, after receiving Burton's family's blessings to do so. His replacement was Jason Newsted, formerly of the band Flotsam and Jetsam. In 1987, they released the video Cliff 'Em All, documenting the three years that Burton was in the band.

1988 saw the band release .And Justice For All. The album was a huge commercial success and earned the band a Grammy nomination. Metallica made their first promotional video for the song 'One' and was shown on MTV, becoming viewers' first exposure to Metallica.

In 1990, Bob Rock (formerly responsible for albums by Bon Jovi, Motley Crüe and the Cult) entered the studio with Metallica to record Metallica, alternatively known as 'The Black Album'. The album cost over $1 million to make, as it was remixed three times before release. On its release in 1991, it reached the top of the American album chart. The supporting stadium tour, which they co-headlined with Guns N' Roses, saw Hetfield suffer burns to his arms, face, hands and legs, when a pyrotechnic stunt went wrong

In 1995, whilst on a break from recording, the band played three huge outdoor shows, including a headliner at Donington Park, with Slayer, Skid Row and Therapy?

Their sixth studio album, released the next year, was Load. In support of the album, they headlined that year's Lollapalooza tour. With enough material from the recording session to release another album, Metallica then released ReLoad. They appeared on Saturday Night Live, performing 'The Memory Remains' with Marianne Faithfull.

In 2000, Metallica took legal action against the peer-to-peer file sharing website, Napster. With Dr. Dre joining Metallica in the fight against Napster, over 230,000 of its users were eventually banned. Napster eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2002.

In 2001, Newsted left Metallica, following a dispute with Hetfield over Newsted wanting to promote his side-project, Echobrain. Over the next two years, filmmakers recorded footage that would become the documentary Some Kind Of Monster. In the documentary, the band hired a therapist to help them to overcome their problems. Robert Trujillo, ex-member of Suicidal Tendencies, became Newsted's replacement.

St. Anger, released in 2003, was another number one for Metallica. The title track earned the band a Grammy Award. With Ulrich rushed to hospital during the Download Festival in 2004, he was replaced by Slayer's Dave Lombardo, Slipknot's Joey Jordison and their drum tech, Flemming Larsen. In 2005, the band opened for The Rolling Stones for two shows.

Metallica's next studio album, Death Magnetic, was slated for release in September 2008, this time with Rick Rubin on production duties. Their first performances of songs from the album were at the 2008 Leeds Festival.



Biography by Contactmusic.com

September 2021 Favourites: A Stunning Array Of More Than 60 Artists Feature In Our Pick Of The Top 5 New Releases From September


Elton John Metallica Abba Public Service Broadcasting Weezer Miley Cyrus St. Vincent

In a month that saw 18 year old qualifier Emma Raducanu win the coveted U.S Women's Open Tennis Championship without even dropping a set, Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Manchester United and got off to a flying start as he netted five precious goals. Boris Johnson and his cabinet dropped the ball altogether over Afghanistan, failed to predict fuel shortages at forecourts and did little to allay fears that everything would be fine by Christmas as he desperately reshuffled his cabinet. As he continued his long running spat with Kanye West, Drake released his sixth studio album, Certified Lover Boy and Lana Del Rey quite all social media platforms citing other "jobs", "privacy and transparency". Global Citizen put on a spectacular 24 hour show - 'A Recovery Plan for the World', with the aim of ending CoVID19, curbing the hunger crisis, resumption of learning for everyone, advancing equity for all and protecting the planet. Amongst those who performed on the five world stages was Sir Elton, who, as it happens, appears in two of the five releases we have selected for September.   

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Lil Nas X - Montero

Continue reading: September 2021 Favourites: A Stunning Array Of More Than 60 Artists Feature In Our Pick Of The Top 5 New Releases From September

Weird Music Story Of The Week: Mom Names Kids After Metal Bands


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How much do you love metal? Whatever your answer, we guarantee you don’t love it as much as this New Zealand mom, who named her three children after her favourite bands.

James Hetfield performed with Metallica in 2017 / Photo credit: Oliver Berg/DPA/PA ImagesJames Hetfield performed with Metallica in 2017 / Photo credit: Oliver Berg/DPA/PA Images

While most of us can’t imagine shouting “Metallica,” “Slayer” or “Pantera” across a school playground, an unnamed mother doesn’t have an issue with it at all. According to Dark Tourist filmmaker David Farrier, the woman told him “it’s not easy raising three of the heaviest bands.”

Continue reading: Weird Music Story Of The Week: Mom Names Kids After Metal Bands

Are You An Elitist? 10 Annoying Reasons You Might Be Guilty Of Musical Snobbery


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We live in a world where accessing any kind of music is at its most simple, which means that underground artists and indie labels can be appreciated by more and more people with the click of a button. Unfortunately, this means that the musical gatekeepers are out in their droves, determined to enforce a kind of "membership" on anyone they believe doesn't fit their idea of a "real fan".

 Photo Credit: PixabayPhoto Credit: Pixabay

A prime example of this recently is when TikTok star Zaria was called out for wearing a Metallica T-shirt in one of her posts. She was asked to "name three songs" by the band, and she responded by flawlessly shredding three popular riffs from the band on her electric guitar. A very awkward day for metal elitists everywhere.

Continue reading: Are You An Elitist? 10 Annoying Reasons You Might Be Guilty Of Musical Snobbery

Metallica Extend Their WorldWired Dates Into Summer 2019


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Metallica are truly spoiling their fans having announced yet another series of stadium and arena dates set for next Spring, as they look forward to entering a fourth year of their WorldWired Tour. It will also mark their first shows in Europe in almost a year. 

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The metal band will hit Europe and the UK for at least 25 more live dates over next year's Spring and Summer seasons, beginning in Portugal on May 1st 2019 and wrapping in Germany on August 25th. They'll also play Manchester's Etihad Stadium and London's Twickenham Stadium on June 18th and 20th respectively.

Continue reading: Metallica Extend Their WorldWired Dates Into Summer 2019

Music News Round-Up: New Tenacious D, Thom Yorke Listening Parties And Bands F.C. Launch


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Tenacious D ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM + ANIMATED SERIES

Comedy music duo Tenacious D have announced their grand return to music after six years away. Comprising comedian Jack Black and bandmate Kyle Gass, Tenacious D’s new album will be titled Post-Apocalypto.

Produced by John Spiker, the record will also feature Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl on drums. It’s available on November 2nd via streaming, CD and translucent green vinyl.

Continue reading: Music News Round-Up: New Tenacious D, Thom Yorke Listening Parties And Bands F.C. Launch

Music News Round-Up: New Muse, Razorlight And Cliff Richard Albums, And Metallica Whiskey


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Muse UNVEIL EIGHTH STUDIO ALBUM

British rock giants Muse have revealed the title of their new, eighth studio album, as well as its release date. Simulation Theory is set to come out on November 9th, and includes recent singles ‘Dig Down’, ‘Thought Contagion’ and ‘Something Human’.

Muse also teased more new music from the album, with a music video to ‘The Dark Side’.

Continue reading: Music News Round-Up: New Muse, Razorlight And Cliff Richard Albums, And Metallica Whiskey

Metallica Honoured With Sweden's Polar Music Prize


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Metallica are set to receive the music industry's answer to the Nobel Prize this Spring; that is, the coveted Polar Music Prize. The award includes a monetary prize, which they are planning on donating to their own charitable organisation All Within My Hands.

Metallica perform live in LondonMetallica perform live in London

After almost forty years of metal, Metallica are finally being honoured for their musical legacy with the Swedish prize that was initially founded by Stig Anderson of ABBA in 1989. The award is given out each year to a contemporary musician and a classical artist.

Continue reading: Metallica Honoured With Sweden's Polar Music Prize

Metallica's Manchester Tribute


Metallica Oasis Lars Ulrich Kirk Hammett Noel Gallagher

Metallica performed Oasis 'Don't Look Back in Anger' in Manchester at the weekend.

The song has become an unofficial anthem for the North West England city since Manchester Arena was rocked by a terrorist attack after an Ariana Grande concert in May, and the 'Enter Sandman' hitmakers led their fans in a sing-along to the track during their sold-out gig at the venue on Saturday (28.10.17) evening.

Drummer Lars Ulrich tweeted a clip of bassist Robert Trujillo and guitarist Kirk Hammett performing the track and admitted the emotional moment had given him ''goosebumps''.

Continue reading: Metallica's Manchester Tribute

Metallica Light Up 'The Late Show' With 'Now That We're Dead'


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Metallica hit 'The Late Show' this week for a live performance with a song from their latest album 'Hardwired... to Self-Destruct', which they are currently promoting on a massive worldwide tour. 'Now That We're Dead' is their first single release of the year.

Metallica perform on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'Metallica perform on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'

The thrash metal group joined Stephen Colbert on the CBS show last night (May 15th 2017), performing their newest single 'Now That We're Dead' to a much-appreciative audience. The group kicked off their WorldWired 2017 North American tour last week at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium.

Continue reading: Metallica Light Up 'The Late Show' With 'Now That We're Dead'

Metallica Are Getting Europe Wired Over New Tour Dates


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With Spring and Summer 2017 set up for their extensive North American dates, Metallica have finally announced the schedule for the European leg of their WorldWired Tour which will take them into 2018. Also, they reveal support from the Norwegian band Kvelertak.

MetallicaMetallica announce their European tour dates

Following their show at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Canada, Metallica will journey to Denmark to play their postponed gig from February 5th at Copenhagen's Royal Arena on September 2nd 2017, with Aphyxion as the special guest. 

Continue reading: Metallica Are Getting Europe Wired Over New Tour Dates

Metallica performing live at the 2016 Global Citizen Festival held in Central Park, New York, United States - Saturday 24th September 2016

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Nimród Antal - Arrivals at the regional premiere of "Metallica Through The Never" at Fantastic Fest in Austin,Texas 9.25.2013 - Austin, TX, United States - Thursday 26th September 2013

James Hetfield, Metallica and Download Festival - James Hetfield of Metallica Saturday 9th June 2012 The Download Festival 2012 at Donington Park

James Hetfield, Metallica and Download Festival

Metallica - James Hetfield Monday 15th September 2008 at O2 Arena London, England

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