Rock music has always encompassed a number of subgenres appealing to a variety of listening tastes and sensibilities. In the 1960s a number of British rock bands, such as the Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds, were drawn to American blues giving the music a heavier feel. The presence of loud, distorted guitars became one of the hallmarks of what came to be known in the ’70s as heavy metal. The Kinks played a seminal role in developing this subgenre with their early 1964 hits, “You Really Got Me” and “All Day and All of the Night”, before moving on to their witty, satirical, decidedly British music pastiche period. As the ’60s turned into the ’70s three bands, cited in countless sources as the “unholy trinity” of heavy metal- Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple- emerged and are often credited with introducing the loud, distorted, power-heavy style that features screaming guitars and vocalists, simple bass and drum propelled rhythms, and, more often than not, dark, personal and societal themes. Think “Paranoid” or “War Pigs” by Black Sabbath. Truth be told, there has always been debate about just what is and what isn’t heavy metal as opposed to hard-rock, but that is beyond the scope of this post. Here I want to focus on a metal band that came to the fore in the ’80s and has just grown and grown in popularity and influence, Metallica.

            A California based band, Metallica was originally characterized as thrash metal, with a particularly speedy or aggressive sound. The key musicians are co-founders Lars Ulrich, the Danish born drummer, and James Hetfield, lead vocalist, primary songwriter, and generally the second, or rhythm, guitarist; Kirk Hammett, who generally plays lead guitar joined two years later, and the three have been together since 1983. Dave Mustaine (longtime leader of Megadeath), Ron McGovney, Cliff Burton, and Jason Newstead are former members, while Robert Trujillo has handled the bass since 2003.

            1986’s Master of Puppets was their breakthrough LP, considered a metal masterpiece by many, recognized even by the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. The title track, perhaps their best-loved song, is a hard-hitting dissection of the ways in which drugs all too often take complete control of a user’s life.  However, it is Metallica, the 1991 so-called Black Album, that is their best seller, certified as 16x platinum by the RIAA. Recognized for moving beyond the confines of thrash metal, the LP helped propel the band to the highest rungs of pop stardom and they’ve never really relinquished that perch, releasing six consecutive #1 studio LPS. A listen to the ever-popular power ballad, “Nothing Else Matters” makes clear the shift in style. Years later they rerecorded the song live in Berkeley along with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, unequivocally demonstrating their willingness to reach beyond narrow categorization. Their recent releases have seemed to hearken back to their thrash/speed days, however, and the Hall of Fame band continues going strong will into their 43rd year of playing together.

         Steve Williams (10/5/23) Greatest Recording Artists Blog Post #51