Metallica
"Exit light ... enter night"
Biggest of the big four thrash acts who've enjoyed most of the success and moved with the times - even if their fans didn't like some of it
Who-How-When: Lars Ulrich (drums) put classified ad in an LA paper in 1981, bringing James Hetfield and Dave Mustaine (guitars) into the fold. It took them another year to recruit bassist Cliff Burton, by which time they'd attracted attention for their early demos and shows.
Breakthrough: With Mustaine fired, Kirk Hammett replacing him and a slew of gigs under their belts, 1986's Master of Puppets was the album which turned heads with its thundering electric pace.
Lowest Low: Burton died in a tour bus crash in 1986 and the band considered quitting before deciding he'd have wanted them to continue.
Highest High: After their first promo video, for 1989's One, became one of the most-requested on MTV, 1991's self-titled album entered the charts in top position. Singles Enter Sandman and Nothing Else Matters made them a mainstream draw.
That Was Then... With Newsted out and Robert Trujillo in, Metallica released Death Magnetic in 2008, which has been generally well-received.
Encore: While their fans hold Metallica up as the model metal band, critics point to a number of deficiencies in their story... their studio rider consists of three herbal teas and granola bars... Hetfield wanted to deliver his child himself rather than go to hospital... they shared beds on an early tour to save money... and when tempers frayed during discussions over a new direction, they called in a therapist.
