Metallica

Metallica are an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1981. The group was founded by drummer Lars Ulrich and vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield and became a leading act in thrash metal, noted for combining speed, aggressive riffing, and mainstream-scale album success.

Metallica’s early career developed through the 1980s American metal underground, beginning with Kill ’Em All (1983) and followed by Ride the Lightning (1984). Their breakthrough era included Master of Puppets (1986), which became a landmark release within metal and helped establish the band’s reputation for complex songwriting and live performance. The death of bassist Cliff Burton later in 1986 marked a significant change in the group’s history and line-up.

The band’s peak commercial success arrived with Metallica (commonly known as The Black Album) in 1991, which achieved extensive multi-platinum sales and produced widely played singles including “Enter Sandman”. During the 1990s and 2000s, Metallica maintained high visibility through major tours, continued chart success, and multiple Grammy Awards, while also expanding their sound on albums such as Load (1996), Reload (1997), and St. Anger (2003).

In later years, Metallica continued releasing studio albums, including Death Magnetic (2008), Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016), and 72 Seasons (2023). Their catalogue remained prominent in popular culture, with older material periodically re-entering wider circulation through media placements and renewed interest in classic recordings.

Metallica have sold in excess of 100 million records worldwide and have received major honours including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. With a sustained career spanning more than four decades, they are frequently cited among the most influential metal bands, shaping both the development of thrash metal and the broader mainstream acceptance of heavy metal internationally.