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Metallica is an American heavy metal and thrash metal band, formed in 1981[1] which became one of the most commercially successful musical acts of the recent decades. Metallica has sold more than 90 million albums worldwide,[2][3] including 57 million albums sold in the United States.[4][5] Metallica is also considered to be one of the "Big four" thrash metal bands, along with Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax.Early days
Metallica was formed in Los Angeles, California, in October 1981 by guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, after both placed classified advertisements in the publication The Recycler about forming a band.[citation needed] 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," while Lars suggested "Metal Mania," or "Hesse," but decided to use "Metallica" for the band name.[citation needed]
The band's music was inspired by bands such as Black Sabbath, Motörhead, Diamond Head, Saxon, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Mercyful Fate, and other British metal bands. They also took inspiration from punk bands like the Misfits, Zeroption, and The Ramones and UK hardcore bands such as Discharge.
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 demos were recorded with this lineup 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, Ron McGovney left the band and Metallica asked Trauma bassist Cliff Burton to join. Burton agreed if the band would 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. Kirk Hammett was brought in from the band Exodus, and Mustaine left to create the thrash band Megadeth.
