Over 44 years of Thrash metal: Metallica!
By Fawaaz Johnson
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Loved by millions of fans, Metallica is a thrash/heavy metal band formed in 1981 by Lars Ulrich (drummer) and James Hetfield (Lead guitarist and vocalist) in Los Angeles. A year later, they picked up the legendary Cliff Burton (bassist), and then another year after that they also signed Kirk Hammett (rhythm guitar). How different would it have been if they stuck with the name “MetalMania” today, people wonder. Ron Quintana thought otherwise than his friend James Hetfield. More than just his name, he is the one who came up with Metallica. Figuratively saying, he helped shape an upcoming legacy. On July 27th, 1984, the album “Ride the Lightning” was released, which took trash and heavy metal music at that time to a different level.
This album had already started to influence people and create a flow in the industry. Metallica not only helped create thrash in a way, but they also evolved with it. March 3rd, 1986 is when “Master of Puppets” became exposed to the public and caused the storm that year. Songs like “Battery,” “Master of Puppets,” and “Orion” changed people’s perspective on the band and its background. “Orion” is said to be one of the greatest instrumentals of all time. Unfortunately on September 27th, 1986, the band suffered the tragic loss of Burton due to a car crash.
Jason Newstead (bassist), who filled in for Cliff Burton after his death, decided to part ways with the group in January 2001. Metallica needed answers quickly. When they signed Robert Trujillo in February 2003, I think the band made the right choice with this man. Albums Like “St. Anger,” “Death Magnetic,” and “Hard-Wired to Self-Destruct” introduce Robert Trujillo’s nasty and infectious bass lines. Listening to this band has changed me in a way. Their music brings me to a different level of energy that I need to get my day started, thanks to Robert’s bass technique and the way he drags the rhythm of the music. I like “My Apocalypse” and “All Nightmare Long.” Those two songs show the nastiness in the bass and make me feel electric. If I’m in a mellow mood or calm, I listen to “The Unforgiven” or “Nothing Else Matters.” I usually weaken my eardrums with songs like “Orion” “Damage Inc.,” and “Battery” most times. Some days, I am mostly in a normal mood, but I feel like this band alone helps me adjust myself if I’m feeling some type of way. Ever since I put myself onto them, I’ve noticed each of their songs and albums have electric elements and some calming qualities. “Nothing Else Matters,” from the black album, starts out with a calm melody that makes listeners think they’re in for a slow song. Then going into the solo switches on the nasty rhythm from Kirk’s guitar that grips your eardrums. That alone shows their great ability to impress their fans with any of their songs. I connect with them on a different level. Each of the past and current players produced some of the greatest metal I’ve heard.