Metallica is the most innovative metal band that dominated heavy metal music in the 1980s and 1990s. Their unlimited energy has the mysterious ability to compel metalheads, indie geeks, hippies and punks to pump their fists in the air in chorus. The voyage of the band started in 1981 in California , USA , when Lars Ulrich (born on December 26, 1963 ) on drums and James Hetfield (born on August 3, 1963 ) on guitar/vocals recorded a full demo by the name Metallica. The band instead of playing usual rock star games of metal stars of the early ‘80s looked more rowdy. They used high volume and speed in their melodies to enhance the effect of their intricately structured compositions. The young band started playing gigs in New York and San Francisco . They performed two shows in San Francisco and found the crowd tapping their foot on the beats of their music. They also caught up-and-coming bass player, Cliff Burton (born on February 10, 1962 ) who joined the band. They band was complemented by with the acquisition of guitarist Kirk Hammett who went on to become one of the most copied guitarists in metal. The release of 1983's Kill 'Em All marked the beginning of the genre-defining Speed Metal. With each recorded album, the band's performance and lyrics improved. In 1986 the band released Master of Puppets, advancing from speed metal thrashers to serious songsmiths. It was regarded by many of their fans as their best performance. Inspired by bands such as Motörhead, Diamond Head and Saxon, the so-called New Wave of British Heavy Metal, as well as hardcore punk, Metallica were single-minded in their desire to break the grip of soft metal on heavy metal fans. On September 27th of that year, during a European leg of shows, a bus accident claimed the life of Burton . Though nobody could replace the void created by Burton , the band elected to continue. Jason Newsted (born on March 4, 1963 ) was chosen to replace Burton . Newsted played his first concert with the band on 8 November 1986 . Shortly after that Metallica released “The $5.98 EP”. The album was comparatively incomprehensible to American audiences. The bands major release was “And Justice For All”, which hit the Top Ten without any radio play with very little support from MTV. Critics regarded the success of “And Justice for All” as a milestone in the history of metal since the album intensely focused on themes related to personal control and independence. In the late 1990s, the band shifted toward a stripped down, blues-heavy style. The change was welcomed by the finicky headbanging fans of Metals and showed up to every sold out show, knowing that they will leave completely satisfied.

In 1991 Metallica released their self titled, "black album", which deal with broader themes like justice and retribution, insanity, war, religion and relationships. It included the hit song "Enter Sandman,” which represented the drastically pared-down style of songwriting across the album. The album was a massive crossover hit and entered the US Top 20. It gave an opportunity to the band to perform live. Moreover, their repeated exposure on MTV made them superstars. By June 1996, it sold nine million copies in the USA . The band didn't release a CD for next 5 years primarily because of the touring upon the Black Album's success. Their long-awaited follow-up “Load” released in July 1996 and “Reload” released in 1997 solidified Metallica's charisma in mainstream rock. In 1997, their shift of image to chopped hair, wearing pimp suits, smoking cigars, sipping brandy, and sometimes wearing heavy makeup was heavily criticized. Garage Inc., a double-disc collection of B-sides, rarities, and newly recorded covers, followed in 1998. Garage Inc. collected assorted cover versions with the first CD containing newly recorded tracks and the second CD containing previously released covers. It broke the band's run of US number 1 when it released in December 1998. The following year's S&M, recorded live with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, documenting a live concert.

The band spent most of 2000 embroiled in controversy for their legal battle with the online file sharing service, Napster. In January 2001, bassist Jason Newsted, after spending almost 15 years with the band declared his harmonious departure from the band. This began a low-point in recent Metallica history since in July 21, James Hetfield entered rehab due to "alcoholism and other addictions." In 2003, the band found their new bassist in Robert Trujilo who was then playing with Ozzy Osbourne's band. In June 2003, Metallica released their eighth full-length studio album, St. Anger. It was acknowledged as the band's most aggressive album in over a decade. Metallica won a Grammy in 2004 for St. Anger.