Probably, even a person completely far from the concept of heavy metal or thrash metal does not need to explain what the Metallica group is. The team’s discography includes many studio and concert albums, not counting collections, singles and cover versions. Let’s look at the key points that influenced the group’s work, and the released albums, because almost everyone diverged around the world in millions of copies.
Metallica Discography: the beginning of creative activity
The American band Metallica, which belongs to the “big four thrash metal”, was founded in 1981 by James Hetfield (guitar, vocals) and Lars Ulrich (drums), who previously played tennis professionally and even became a champion among juniors. They were joined by guitarist Dave Mustaine, who later left the team and founded the equally popular band Megadeth, and bassist Ron McGowney, who also did not hold out for a long time.
At first, the group performed cover versions of the songs of their idols, Motorhead, Black Sabbath and Diamond Head, but at the end of 1982 made their debut in Metal Massacre with Hit The Lights. This was the beginning of the take-off of the legendary band Metallica.
Discography of the team 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 members of the group the basics of musical literacy. True, Mustaine was no longer involved in his recording, since the rest could not tolerate his aggressive behavior. Instead, Kirk Hammett, who had previously played on the Exodus team , joined the group.
The album took a good position in the world charts. For example, Metallica still performs concerts at the concerts of the famous song Seek And Destroy, as well as the unique Am I Evil cover, originally owned by Diamond Head.
The success was consolidated by the release of the album Ride The Lightning (1984), in which the thrash direction of the group was finally formed. Metallica's songs were very diverse. What are the songs from the album like Ride The Lightning, For Whom The Bell Tools and even the ballad Fade To Black, which in the middle of the song turns into aggressive thrash metal.
However, real success and recognition came to Metallica in 1986 after the release of the classic Of the genre album Master Of Puppets. It is his critics and listeners who call the best of the group. Here, whatever the composition, it’s a real hit.
Unfortunately, in the same year, Cliff Burton died in a car accident, which was a real shock for everyone. He was replaced by a bass player from the Flotsam & Jetsam team named Jason Newsted. The album Garage Incorporated Re-Revisited (1987) and the strongest work ... And Justice For All (1988), which is believed to have been dedicated to Burton's memory, were recorded with him.
1990 Albums
Until the beginning of the 90s, Metallica did not release albums. But in 1991, she literally shocked everyone with the release of the so-called black album, which became platinum and received many prestigious awards. True, some evil languages ​​claim that the group, to put it mildly, borrowed the title track Enter Sandman from the little-known Excel team.
However, there is no doubt, the success of this album exceeded all expectations. Even those who have never been interested in the work of Metallica, now have become ardent fans of the group.
But after the resounding success of the “black album”, Metallica somehow changed its style somewhat to the grunge side of the Alice In Chains type and released two almost disastrous 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 (interpretation of their own ballad, which sounded in the "black album"). In addition, the 1987 album was reissued (the work was called Garage Inc.).
2000 Albums
In 2001, Jason Newstead left the band, and the first time the bass part was played by Bob Rock, who produced several previous albums.
As a result of this project, St. Anger (2003), although rising to the top of the charts, is severely criticized by listeners for their raw and unnatural electronic sound.
Further, Robert Trujillo, who previously played with Ozzy Osbourne and in the group Suicidal Tendencies, was invited as a bass player. He recorded a studio album in 2008 called death Magnetic, which was received by both critics and listeners very warmly, as Metallica returned to its usual sound.
Separately, it is worth saying that the band Metallica discography is not limited to albums. In 2013, the film Through The Never was released, consisting of concert performances by the team and some mystical component in the form of feature films.
In general, it can be said that Metallica is a unique phenomenon on the “metal” stage, because together with the Slayer, Anthrax and Megadeth groups, she became the founder of the thrash style and had the greatest influence on the work of such famous bands as Exodus, Testament or Overkill.