Metallica is an American heavy metal band that formed in 1981 and is often regarded as one of the most influential and successful bands in the genre. The term "Metallica" can refer to both the band itself, as well as its individual members. The band was founded in Los Angeles, California, by guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, and has gone through various lineup changes throughout its career.
Characterized by their aggressive and energetic style, Metallica's music is primarily characterized by fast tempos, powerful guitar riffs, and complex song structures. Their sound features a distinctive blend of heavy metal and thrash metal, often incorporating elements of other genres such as progressive metal, speed metal, and hard rock.
Metallica's lyrics often explore themes such as warfare, politics, personal struggles, and existentialism, with a sense of introspection and rebellion. The band's breakthrough came with the release of their third studio album, "Master of Puppets" (1986), which solidified their reputation as one of the pioneering bands in the thrash metal scene.
With an extensive discography and multiple critically acclaimed albums, Metallica has achieved massive commercial success, selling millions of records worldwide. Their most notable and successful songs include "Enter Sandman," "One," "Nothing Else Matters," and "The Unforgiven." Metallica has had a significant impact on the heavy metal genre, influencing countless bands and musicians over the years, and continues to be a prominent figure in the music industry.
