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Metallica

Metallica are perhaps the best known heavy metal band in the world. Formed in California in the early 80s, Metallica have released several albums and continue to be a successful recording act to this day. Their early albums were aggressive heavy metal. More recent albums have ventured into the blues & alternative rock genres (Load & Reload), orchestral collaborations (S & M) and a reworking of rock classics in an album of covers (Garage Inc.). Inevitably the (sometimes temporary) changes in styles over the years have disgruntled many fans and have led to accusations of selling out.

One of the impressive things about Metallica is their ability to both blast out a furious metal masterpiece, such as "Enter Sandman", and then turn their hands over to an acoustic ballad, such as "Nothing Else Matters", incidently both of which are on the self-titled album Metallica, usually called "The Black album".

A few personal events stand out in the band's history. Cliff Burton, their bassist from 1982-1986 died when a tour bus had an accident. He was replaced by Jason Newsted who left in 2001 amid rumours that frontman James Hetfield felt uncomfortable about his touring with his side project, Echobrain. Band tensions were made open to the world in a candid documentary named Some Kind of Monster which was released recently. Like many bands Metallica members have had to deal with a range of alcohol and drug addictions.

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