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Metallica History Part 2
Metallica toured behind Kill 'Em All, and in 1984, a second album Ride The Lightning was recorded and released. This album was a more mature album, both lyrically and musically while not missing a beat of the ferocity of Kill 'Em All.
Notable on Ride The Lightning's eight songs is track four; Fade To Black. Inspired by the theft of the band's equipment earlier that year in Boston, the song delves rather deeply into dealing with loss. Other tracks are inspired by H.P. Lovecraft and the movie The Ten Commandments.
The band signed with major management agency Q Prime and soon after is signed to major record label Elektra.
1986 brought their third album, Master Of Puppets, and a tour with Ozzy Osbourne. Metallica was reaching new highs: the new album reached #29 and enjoyed a 72-week run on the US charts. The Ozzy tour helped them gain wide exposure.
The band endured a minor downfall when James broke his arm skateboarding and was unable to play guitar. John Marshall pulled double duty, acting as Kirk's guitar roadie and filling in on rhythm guitar until James healed.
With the Ozzy tour complete the band moved on to Europe and planned their first venture to the Far East. It was hoped that James would be ready to handle his guitar duties, but for the first shows in Europe, Marshall filled in.
James returned in full guitar and vocal duties on September 26th, 1986, the last time Metallica performed with Cliff. Early the next morning, the tour bus skidded out of control and flipped, killing Cliff Burton.
It probably would have been easier for Metallica to call it quits right then and there. Cliff was a major part of the band, not only supplying bass but being somewhat of a teacher and mentor, sharing his musical wisdom and "be yourself" attitude.
Knowing Cliff would be the first to want them to carry on, Metallica minus one carried on.
Jason Newsted was chosen from over 40 auditions to play bass with Metallica. His many strengths included being able to keep up with the band`s drinking habits!
It was decided they would jump right back into "tour mode" to initiate the new bass player and wrap up loose ends.
The band also released an EP of all cover songs as an introduction to Jason. The EP, titled Garage Days Re-Revisited is considered a sequel of sorts to Garage Days Revisited which appeared as a B-side in 1984.
Click here for Part 3
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