This page is created and run for the greatest band in the entire world. METALLICA! Metallica consists of four members. The drummer, LARS ULRICH. The guitarist/lead vocalist, JAMES HETFIELD. The guitarist, KIRK HAMMETT. And the bassist, JASON NEWSTED. Metallica formed in 1981. The group from '81 was James, Lars, guitarist Dave Mustaine(not sure how to spell), and bassist Cliff Burton(May God rest his soul). They recorded Kill em' All, and Mustaine left. So Kirk was picked up. They recorded Ride the Lightining and Master of Puppets. While touring in Europe Cliff was killed in a tour bus accident(we miss you Cliff). So Newsted joined the group. Metallica then recorded ...And Justice for All. Later the self titled album came out. This is where Metallica changed styles of music. The songs got shorter. Then Load and Reload were recorded and released. Later on Garage Inc. was released. This album was a 2 cd set. The first cd was composed of cover songs, and the second was some of their old stuff. This was about the time i came to like Metallica. And lastly they released S & M(Symphony and Metallica). This was another 2 cd set. All Metallica songs with an orchestra playing along. Jason Newsted leaves in early 2001. At the end of 2001, early 2002 they will release a new album despite absence of Newsted.