megaforce lrecords

Indie

Rock, Thrash, Metal

Metallica was formed in Los Angeles, California, in October 1981 by guitarist and singer James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich after they both placed classified advertisements in the publication The Recycler about forming a band. The duo recruited bassist Ron McGovney, and the early incarnation of the band went through a number of lead guitarists, such as Lloyd Grant, Brad Parker, and Jeff Warner.

Metallica got its name when San Francisco-area metal promoter Ron Quintana asked Ulrich to help pick out a name for his new magazine to promote U.S. and British metal bands. Quintana came up with a list that included "Metallica," but Lars suggested "Metal Mania" and used "Metallica" for the band.

The band's music was primarily inspired by bands such as Black Sabbath, Motörhead, Diamond Head, Saxon, Judas Priest, and other British metal bands. They also took inspiration from punk bands like the Misfits, Zeroption, Discharge, and The Ramones.

In early 1982, Ulrich convinced Metal Blade's Brian Slagel to include the song "Hit the Lights" on the first Metal Massacre compilation. Desperate for a full time lead guitarist, Ulrich posted an ad in a local newspaper. Dave Mustaine from Huntington Beach, California, who at the time was playing in the band Panic responded and met for an audition. Ulrich and Hetfield were so impressed with Mustaine's warm-up and equipment, they asked him to join before the audition even began.

In March and April of 1982, several minor demos were recorded with this new line up including Hit The Lights, Ron's Garage which was recorded in McGoveney's garage and the Power Metal demo.

A few months later the band recorded a full demo, No Life 'Til Leather, which quickly drew attention on the underground tape trading circuit. They then went on to release a live demo titled Metal Up Your Ass.

Later that year, after Dave Mustaine poured beer on his bass, Ron McGovney left the band. After seeing a band named Trauma play, Metallica asked Trauma bassist Cliff Burton to become their bassist. Burton agreed under the condition that the band relocate to his hometown of San Francisco. With Burton the band recorded the Megaforce Demo.

After establishing themselves in the Bay Area thrash metal scene, Metallica traveled to the New York Tri-State Region in 1983 at the urging of promoters Jon and Marsha Zazula. After a few gigs the band signed with the Zazulas' new label, Megaforce Records. Shortly after being signed, Ulrich and Hetfield decided Mustaine's aggressive and disruptive behavior relating to his alcohol and drug problems was becoming too much to handle. Mustaine was asked to leave the band, and Kirk Hammett was brought in from the band Exodus. After leaving Metallica, Mustaine would go on to create the hugely-successful Megadeth.

In late spring 1983, the band traveled to Rochester, New York to record their first album, Kill 'Em All. The album was not an initial success financially, but it earned them a growing fanbase in the underground metal scene. A year later, Metallica released Ride the Lightning. The album's inclusion of a slower, more introspective song, Fade To Black, set Metallica apart from most other thrash bands. While many fans enjoyed the new style of the song, some accused the band of "selling out".

James Hetfield (guitar, vocals), Lars Ulrich (drums), Kirk Hammett (lead guitar, 1983-present), Robert Trujillo (bass, 2003-present)