Through the Never

Metallica is the best-selling band of all time behind the Beatles. With being a successful band, Metallica has reached out to various audiences in their thirty- year career. Metallica is a heavy metal band that has had more success than other artists in more popular genres, like pop and hip hop. Since their formation in 1981, Metallica has released ten studio albums that have all been heralded as classics, even through tragedy.

With the forming of Metallica, music changed forever. Metallica was formed in 1981, when James Hetfield replied to an ad by Lars Ulrich. Hetfield, the lead singer/ guitarist, and Ulrich, the drummer, had an immediate connection (“Metallica-Britannica”). Shortly after their meeting, Ulrich attempted to get them a record deal, seeing the potential the band had (“Guitar Hero: Metallica”). “James Hetfield developed a signature rhythm playing that matched his growl, while lead guitarist Kirk Hammett became one of the most copied guitarists in metal. To complete the package, Lars Ulrich’s thunderous (yet complex) drumming clicked in perfectly with Cliff Burton’s innovative bass playing” (Metallica-Allmusic) The band officially formed in October 1981, five months after Ulrich and Hetfield first met (“Guitar Hero: Metallica”). “In some ways, Metallica were like the Rolling Stones – a bunch of fans who got together to play their favorite style of music and wound up being far bigger stars than their influences” (Hale 226). With the formation of Metallica, music was about to experience their first project, Kill Em’ All.

“Metallica drew upon punk and early 1980’s British metal styles for their first album” (“Metallica-Britannica”). During early recordings for Kill Em’ All, the band kicked out lead guitarist Dave Must...

... middle of paper ...

...o release within the next few years. Metallica currently has 846 riffs ready for their new album (“Metallica-Infohio”). Metallica continues to tour throughout the world today. Based on Metallica’s various feats, they have earned the title of American icons.

Since forming, Metallica has been one of the most successful bands in history. With the release of their first five albums, Metallica geared closer and closer to becoming superstars. The band then lost a portion of their audience with a shift in image, but regained the audience upon going back to their roots. Since then Metallica, has achieved nothing but success. Metallica is an American icon because of their immense success and longevity in the music business. With Metallica being so closely associated with a band like the Beatles in record sales, the group will continue to grow throughout the music world.