メタリカ

Metallica — Grokipedia Fact-checked by Grok 1 month ago Metallica Ara Eve Leo Sal 1x Metallica is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles , California, on October 28, 1981, by drummer Lars Ulrich and rhythm guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield . [1] Pioneers of the thrash metal subgenre, the band blends aggressive guitar riffs, complex song structures, and socially conscious lyrics, achieving massive commercial success with over 125 million albums sold worldwide. [2] [3] Current lineup consists of Hetfield, Ulrich , lead guitarist Kirk Hammett (joined 1983), and bassist Robert Trujillo (joined 2003). [1] The band's early years were marked by lineup changes and the development of their signature sound, beginning with bassist Ron McGovney and lead guitarist Dave Mustaine in the original configuration, the latter replaced by Hammett after Mustaine's departure. [1] Tragically, original bassist Cliff Burton died in a bus accident in 1986, leading to Jason Newsted joining until 2001. [1] Metallica's debut album, Kill 'Em All (1983), established their thrash metal style, followed by critically acclaimed releases like Ride the Lightning (1984) and Master of Puppets (1986), the latter certified 8× platinum by the RIAA in 2025. [1] [4] Their 1991 self-titled album, known as The Black Album , propelled them to mainstream stardom, selling over 20 million copies in the United States alone and featuring hits like "Enter Sandman." [4] Subsequent albums such as Load (1996), Reload (1997), St. Anger (2003), Death Magnetic (2008), Hardwired... to Self-Destruct (2016), and 72 Seasons (2023) continued their chart dominance, with six consecutive studio albums that debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 (from Metallica through Hardwired... to Self-Destruct). [1] [5] Metallica has earned 10 Grammy Awards, including Best Metal Performance for "72 Seasons" in 2024, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. [1] [5] Beyond music, Metallica's influence extends to their global tours, including becoming the first band to perform on all seven continents in 2013 , and philanthropic efforts through their All Within My Hands foundation. [1] Their evolution from underground thrash icons to arena rock staples has shaped heavy metal, inspiring generations while maintaining a core fanbase drawn to their high-energy live performances and thematic depth addressing war , addiction , and alienation. [2] History 1981–1983: Formation and early years Metallica was formed in Los Angeles in late 1981 when drummer Lars Ulrich , a Danish immigrant passionate about heavy metal, placed a classified advertisement in the local newspaper The Recycler seeking other musicians to jam with. [6] Ulrich soon connected with vocalist and rhythm guitarist James Hetfield , who had been playing in a few short-lived bands, and the duo began writing songs together, initially under the name Leather Charm before settling on Metallica. The name "Metallica" originated from a list of potential titles for a heavy metal fanzine that Lars Ulrich's friend Ron Quintana was brainstorming in late 1981. Quintana was considering "Metallica" or "Metal Mania" among others; Ulrich recommended "Metal Mania" for the fanzine and adopted "Metallica" for the newly formed band. [7] Their early sound drew heavily from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), particularly the aggressive speed of Motörhead and the intricate arrangements of Diamond Head, which Ulrich had discovered during trips to the UK. [8] By early 1982, the band had assembled its initial lineup with lead guitarist Dave Mustaine , a technically proficient player from New York, and bassist Ron McGovney , a high school friend of Hetfield's, enabling them to play their first concert on March 14 at Radio City in Anaheim, California . [9] This quartet honed a raw, high-speed style that would define early thrash metal . Later that year, amid growing buzz in the underground scene, Metallica relocated from Los Angeles to the San Francisco Bay Area , specifically El Cerrito, to immerse themselves in the vibrant local metal community and escape the stagnant LA scene. [10] In July 1982, they self-recorded their debut demo No Life 'Til Leather at cost in a makeshift studio, featuring eight tracks that circulated widely through tape-trading networks and caught the attention of promoters and labels. [11] Lineup instability marked the transition into 1983, as internal tensions escalated. McGovney departed in December 1982 following conflicts with Mustaine and the band's increasingly chaotic lifestyle, prompting auditions that led to the recruitment of bassist Cliff Burton from the band Trauma after a standout performance in Los Angeles ; Burton agreed to join only if the band moved north permanently, which they did. [12] Shortly after, on April 11, 1983, Mustaine was dismissed due to ongoing substance abuse issues and disruptive behavior, including a physical altercation with Hetfield, and was swiftly replaced by Kirk Hammett , Exodus's lead guitarist from the Bay Area scene, who brought a more melodic shredding style. [13] With this solidified lineup—Hetfield, Ulrich , Hammett, and Burton—Metallica signed with independent label Megaforce Records in early 1983, driven by the demo's underground acclaim, and entered Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen that summer to record material for their debut album. [14] 1983–1986: Kill 'Em All, Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, and Burton's death In 1983, Metallica recorded their debut album Kill 'Em All at Music America Studios in Richmond, Indiana , during May, with production handled by Paul Curcio. [15] The album was released on July 25, 1983, through the independent label Megaforce Records , marking the band's entry into the thrash metal scene. [15] Key tracks included "Seek & Destroy" and "The Four Horsemen," which showcased the band's aggressive riffs and high-speed tempos. [16] Following the release, Metallica embarked on their first major U.S. tour, the Kill 'Em All for One tour, co-headlining with British metal band Raven from July 27, 1983, to January 22, 1984, which helped solidify their underground fanbase through relentless performances across North America . [17] In late 1983 and into 1984, the band supported Twisted Sister on select U.S. dates and joined them for a European tour, further expanding their reputation in the metal community despite initial audience resistance to their intense style. [18] By September 12, 1984, Metallica signed a multi-album deal with Elektra Records , which reissued Kill 'Em All and provided broader distribution. [19] Their second album, Ride the Lightning , was recorded from February to March 1984 at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen , Denmark , and initially released on July 27, 1984, via Megaforce before Elektra's reissue on November 19, 1984. [20] The record introduced more intricate song structures and acoustic elements, exemplified by tracks like "Fade to Black," which blended suicidal themes with progressive arrangements. [20] Metallica returned to Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen from September to December 1985 to record their third album, Master of Puppets , which was released on March 3, 1986, by Elektra Records. [21] Standout tracks such as the title song "Master of Puppets" and "Battery" highlighted the band's refined thrash sound, with extended compositions addressing war, addiction, and control. [21] Widely regarded as a thrash metal masterpiece, the album elevated Metallica's status, peaking at number 29 on the Billboard 200 and influencing the genre's evolution. [22] To promote Master of Puppets , Metallica launched the Damage, Inc. Tour on March 27, 1986, opening for Ozzy Osbourne across North American arenas through August, where their high-energy sets won over larger audiences. [23] The tour's European leg began in September 1986, with the band headlining shows that showcased their growing command of complex material. [24] Tragedy struck during the European leg on September 27, 1986, when the band's tour bus skidded off a slippery road near Ljungby , Sweden , due to black ice , ejecting bassist Cliff Burton from his bunk through a window; the vehicle then crushed him, resulting in his death at age 24. [25] The accident devastated the band, with members James Hetfield , Lars Ulrich , and Kirk Hammett expressing profound grief and anger, briefly contemplating the end of Metallica as they grappled with the loss during the tour's remainder. [26] 1986–1991: Newsted joins and ...And Justice for All Following the tragic death of bassist Cliff Burton in September 1986, Metallica conducted auditions to find a replacement, ultimately selecting Jason Newsted , who had been playing with the thrash metal band Flotsam and Jetsam. [27] Newsted impressed the band during his October 1986 audition by demonstrating strong technical skills on tracks like " Master of Puppets ," leading to his official induction on October 28, 1986. [28] He performed his first show with the group just two weeks later, marking the beginning of the band's recovery and adaptation to a new lineup. [29] With Newsted on board, Metallica entered the studio in early 1988 to record their fourth album, ...And Justice for All , at One on One Recording in Los Angeles. The sessions, produced by the band alongside Flemming Rasmussen, emphasized intricate, progressive compositions that pushed the boundaries of thrash metal, with extended tracks featuring complex time signatures and orchestral elements. However, the mixing process sparked controversy, as Newsted's bass guitar was rendered nearly inaudible— a decision attributed to drummer Lars Ulrich and vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield, possibly as a form of hazing for the newcomer or to prioritize the rhythm guitar's prominence. [27] [30] Newsted later expressed frustration over the thin production sound, which he felt undermined his contributions despite his active participation in the arrangements.