Metallica: discography and history of the band

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Probably, even a person who is completely far from the concept of heavy metal or thrash metal does not need to be explained what Metallica is. The band's discography includes many studio and live albums, not counting compilations, singles and cover versions. Let's look at the key moments that influenced the work of the group, and the released albums, because almost every one of them has sold millions of copies around the world.

Metallica. Discography: the beginning of creative activity

Metallica is an American band belonging to the "big four thrash metal", founded in 1981 by James Hetfield (guitar, vocals) and Lars Ulrich (drums), who had previously been a professional tennis player and even became a junior champion. They were joined by guitarist Dave Mustaine, who later left the band and founded the no less popular band Megadeth, and bassist Ron McGovney, who also did not last long.

At first the band performedcover versions of songs by her idols Motorhead, Black Sabbath and Diamond Head, but at the end of 1982 she made her debut on the Metal Massacre compilation Hit The Lights. This was the beginning of the rise of the legendary band Metallica.

The band's discography began with the release of a full-fledged studio album, Kill'em All, which was released in 1983.

1980 albums

Unprofessional Ron McGoven was replaced by Cliff Burton, who even taught the band members the basics of musical literacy. True, Mustaine no longer participated in his recording, since the rest could not tolerate his aggressive behavior. Instead, Kirk Hammett, who previously played in the Exodus team, joined the group.

The album took a good position in the world charts. For example, Metallica still performs the famous song Seek And Destroy at concerts, as well as a unique cover of Am I Evil, originally owned by Diamond Head.

Success was reinforced by the release of the album Ride The Lightning (1984), in which the band's thrash direction was finally formed. Metallica's songs were very diverse. What are such compositions from the album like Ride The Lightning, For Whom The Bell Tools and even the ballad Fade To Black, turning into aggressive thrash metal in the middle of the song.

However, real success and recognition came to Metallica in 1986 after the release of the classic album Master Of Puppets. It is his all critics and listenerscalled the best in the group. Here, whatever the composition, the real hit.

Unfortunately, in the same year, Cliff Burton died in a car accident, which was a real shock to everyone. He was replaced by a bass player from the Flotsam & Jetsam team named Jason Newsted. With him were recorded the album Garage Incorporated Re-Revisited (1987) and the strongest work … And Justice For All (1988), which is considered to be dedicated to the memory of Burton.

1990 albums

Until the early 90s, Metallica didn't release any albums. But in 1991, she literally shocked everyone with the release of the so-called black album, which went platinum and received many prestigious awards. True, some evil tongues claim that the group, to put it mildly, borrowed the title track Enter Sandman from a little-known Excel team.

However, there is no doubt, the success of this album has exceeded all expectations. Even those who have never been interested in the work of Metallica have now become ardent fans of the group.

But after the resounding success of the "black album", Metallica for some reason changed their style a bit to a certain side of grunge like Alice In Chains and released two almost failure among fans of the classic thrash-metal album - Load (1996) and Reload (1997), although some compositions have become quite popular. These are King Nothing, Until It Sleeps, Fuel, Memory Remains and Unforgiven II (an interpretation of his own ballad, which sounded in "blackalbum"). In addition, the 1987 album was re-released (the work was called Garage Inc.).

2000 albums

In 2001, Jason Newsted left the band, and Bob Rock, who produced several previous albums, performed the bass part for the first time.

As a result of this project, St. Anger (2003), although it climbed to the top of the charts, but was severely criticized by listeners for its raw and unnaturally electronic sound.

Further, Robert Trujillo, who previously played with Ozzy Osbourne and in the band Suicidal Tendencies, was invited as a bassist. He recorded a 2008 studio album called death Magnetic, which was received very warmly by both critics and listeners, as Metallica returned to their usual sound.

It's worth mentioning separately that Metallica's discography is not limited to albums only. In 2013, the film Through The Never was released, consisting of concert performances by the band and a certain mystical component in the form of a feature film.

In general, we can say that Metallica is a unique phenomenon on the “metal” scene, because, together with Slayer, Anthrax and Megadeth, she became the founder of the thrash style and had the greatest influence on the work of such well-known bands as Exodus, Testament or Overkill.