Editing Metallica (section)

===1981–1984: Formation, early years, and ''Kill 'Em All''===
Metallica was formed in [[Los Angeles]] in late 1981 when Danish drummer [[Lars Ulrich]] placed an advertisement in a Los Angeles newspaper, ''[[The Recycler]]'', which read, "Drummer looking for other metal musicians to jam with [[Tygers of Pan Tang]], [[Diamond Head (English band)|Diamond Head]] and [[Iron Maiden]]."<ref name="Timeline 1">{{cite web|title=Metallica Timeline Early 1981 – Early 1982|url=http://www.mtv.com/onair/icon/metallica/timeline/?id=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315095541/http://www.mtv.com/onair/icon/metallica/timeline/?id=1|publisher=MTV|archive-date=March 15, 2009|access-date=May 28, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Guitarists [[James Hetfield]] and Hugh Tanner of [[Leather Charm]] answered the advertisement. Although he had not formed a band, Ulrich asked [[Metal Blade Records]] founder [[Brian Slagel]] if he could record a song for the label's upcoming compilation album, ''[[Metal Massacre]]''. Slagel accepted, and Ulrich recruited Hetfield to sing and play rhythm guitar.<ref name="Timeline 1"/> The band was officially formed on October 28, 1981, five months after Ulrich and Hetfield first met.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metallica.com/history.html |title=History – Metallica |website=Metallica |access-date=March 2, 2020 |archive-date=April 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401002504/https://www.metallica.com/history.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metallica.com/timeline.asp?page=events&n_categoryid=1988&year=1981?sPosx=41 |title=1981: Events |publisher=Metallica.com |access-date=December 26, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623031847/http://www.metallica.com/timeline.asp?page=events&n_categoryid=1988&year=1981%3FsPosx%3D41 |archive-date=June 23, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

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The band name came from Ulrich's friend Ron Quintana, who was brainstorming names for a fanzine and was considering ''MetalMania'' or ''Metallica''. After hearing the two names, Ulrich wanted the latter for his band, so he suggested Quintana use ''MetalMania'' instead.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://rockandrollgarage.com/lars-ulrich-tells-chose-name-metallica-band/|title=Lars Ulrich tells how they chose the name Metallica for the band|first=Rafael|last=Polcaro|website=Rockandrollgrage.com|date=January 5, 2018|access-date=May 3, 2019|archive-date=May 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503062258/http://rockandrollgarage.com/lars-ulrich-tells-chose-name-metallica-band/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Dave Mustaine]] replied to an advertisement for a lead guitarist; Ulrich and Hetfield recruited him after seeing his expensive guitar equipment. In early 1982, Metallica recorded its first original song, "Hit the Lights", for the ''Metal Massacre I'' compilation. Hetfield sang and played both bass and rhythm guitar, while Lars Ulrich played drums and Lloyd Grant was credited with a guitar solo.<ref name="Timeline 1"/> ''Metal Massacre I'' was released on June 14, 1982; early pressings listed the band incorrectly as "Mettallica", angering the band.<ref>{{cite web|last=Saulnier|first=Jason|url=http://musiclegends.ca/interviews/lloyd-grant-interview-metallica/|title=Lloyd Grant Interview|publisher=Music Legends|access-date=May 6, 2013|date=January 4, 2012|archive-date=March 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323063410/http://musiclegends.ca/interviews/lloyd-grant-interview-metallica/|url-status=live}}</ref> The song generated [[word of mouth]], and the band played its first live performance on March 14, 1982, at Radio City in [[Anaheim, California]], with newly recruited bassist [[Ron McGovney]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Metallica Timeline March&nbsp;14, 1982 – July 6, 1982|url=http://www.mtv.com/onair/icon/metallica/timeline/?id=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411200826/http://www.mtv.com/onair/icon/metallica/timeline/?id=2|publisher=MTV|archive-date=April 11, 2009|access-date=May 28, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Their first live success came early; they were chosen to open for British heavy metal band [[Saxon (band)|Saxon]] at one gig of their 1982 U.S. tour. This was Metallica's second gig. Metallica recorded its first demo, ''[[Power Metal (Metallica album)|Power Metal]]'', whose name was inspired by Quintana's early business cards, in early 1982.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-20 |title=Oto pierwsza wizytówka Metalliki z napisem "power metal" [FOTO] - Antyradio |url=https://www.antyradio.pl/muzyka/Rock-News/Byly-basista-Metalliki-pokazal-pierwsza-wizytowke-Metalliki-45865 |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=www.antyradio.pl |language=pl}}</ref>

The term "[[thrash metal]]" was coined in February 1984 by ''[[Kerrang!]]'' journalist [[Malcolm Dome]] in reference to [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]]'s song "[[Metal Thrashing Mad]]".<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Dome|first=Malcolm|author-link=Malcolm Dome|magazine=[[Kerrang!]]|title=Anthrax: Fistful Of Metal|volume=62|date=February 23, 1984|page=8}}</ref> Prior to this, Hetfield referred to Metallica's sound as "[[power metal]]". In late 1982, Ulrich and Hetfield attended a show at the [[West Hollywood]] nightclub [[Whisky a Go Go]], which featured bassist [[Cliff Burton]] in the band [[Trauma (American band)|Trauma]]. The two were "blown away" by Burton's use of a [[wah-wah pedal]] and asked him to join Metallica. Hetfield and Mustaine wanted McGovney to leave because they thought he "didn't contribute anything, he just followed."<ref name="Timeline 2"/> Although Burton initially declined the offer, by the end of the year, he had accepted on the condition that the band move to [[El Cerrito, California|El Cerrito]] in the [[San Francisco Bay Area]].<ref name="Timeline 2"/> Metallica's first live performance with Burton was at the nightclub The Stone in March 1983, and the first recording to feature Burton was the ''Megaforce'' demo (1983).<ref name="Timeline 2">{{cite web|title=Metallica Timeline Fall 1982 – April&nbsp;16, 1983|url=http://www.mtv.com/onair/icon/metallica/timeline/?id=3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227033807/http://www.mtv.com/onair/icon/metallica/timeline/?id=3|publisher=MTV|archive-date=December 27, 2008|access-date=May 31, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Metallica was ready to record their debut album, but when Metal Blade was unable to cover the cost, they began looking for other options. Concert promoter [[Jon Zazula|Jonathan "Jonny Z" Zazula]], who had heard the demo ''No Life 'til Leather'' (1982), offered to broker a record deal between Metallica and [[New York City]]–based record labels. After those record labels showed no interest, Zazula borrowed enough money to cover the recording budget and signed Metallica to his own label, [[Megaforce Records]].<ref name="Pillsbury 2006 2">{{Harvnb|Pillsbury|2006|p=2}}</ref>

[[File:Priest feast 22 - megadeth 05.jpg|thumb|Dave Mustaine (pictured in 2009) went on to found rival band Megadeth after being fired from the band in 1983.]]
In May 1983, Metallica traveled to [[Rochester, New York]], to record its debut album, ''Metal Up Your Ass'', which was produced by Paul Curcio.<ref>{{Harvnb|Christe|2003|p=86}}</ref> The other members decided to eject Mustaine from the band because of his drug and alcohol abuse and violent behavior just before the recording sessions on April 11, 1983.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Cecolini|first=Vinny|date=November 1998|title=Foreclosure of a Team|journal=Metal Hammer}}</ref> [[Exodus (band)|Exodus]] guitarist [[Kirk Hammett]] replaced Mustaine the same afternoon.<ref name="Pillsbury 2006 2"/> Metallica's first live performance with Hammett was on April 16, 1983, at a nightclub in [[Dover, New Jersey]], called The Showplace;<ref name="Timeline 2"/> the support act was Anthrax's original lineup, which included [[Dan Lilker]] and [[Neil Turbin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metallipromo.com/an.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002055209/http://www.metallipromo.com/an.html|archive-date=October 2, 2013|title=Anthrax;|publisher=Metallipromo.com|date=December 24, 2010|access-date=March 18, 2013}}</ref> This was the first time the two bands performed live together.<ref name="Timeline 2"/>

[[File:Kirk2010.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|left|Kirk Hammett (pictured in 2010) replaced Mustaine in 1983, and has been with the band ever since.]]
Mustaine, who went on to form [[Megadeth]], has expressed his dislike for Hammett in interviews, saying Hammett "stole" his job.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dave Mustaine: James Hetfield Is Jealous of Me|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=27141|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130062244/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=27141|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=September 21, 2004|archive-date=January 30, 2009|access-date=May 31, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Mustaine was "pissed off" because he believes Hammett became popular by playing guitar leads that Mustaine had actually written.<ref>{{cite web|title=Interview: Dave Mustaine news|url=http://www.askmen.com/celebs/interview_100/149b_dave_mustaine_interview.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202113421/http://www.askmen.com/celebs/interview_100/149b_dave_mustaine_interview.html|work=AskMen.com|publisher=IGN Entertainment|archive-date=December 2, 2008|access-date=May 31, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> In a 1985 interview with ''[[Metal Forces]]'', Mustaine said, "It's real funny how Kirk Hammett ripped off every lead break I'd played on that ''No Life 'til Leather'' tape and got voted No.&nbsp;1 guitarist in your magazine."<ref name="Metal Forces">{{cite web|last=Doe|first=Bernard|title=Megadeth — Love it to Death|work=[[Metal Forces]]|url=http://www.metalforcesmagazine.com/site/feature-megadeth-mf12/|access-date=June 16, 2012|archive-date=October 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002123451/http://www.metalforcesmagazine.com/site/feature-megadeth-mf12/|url-status=live}}</ref> On Megadeth's debut album, ''[[Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!]]'' (1985), Mustaine included the song "Mechanix", which Metallica had previously reworked and retitled "The Four Horsemen" on ''Kill 'Em All''. Mustaine said he did this to "straighten Metallica up" because Metallica referred to Mustaine as a drunk and said he could not play guitar.<ref name="Metal Forces"/>

Because of conflicts with its record label and the distributors' refusal to release an album titled ''Metal Up Your Ass'', the album was renamed ''[[Kill 'Em All]]''. It was released on Megaforce Records in the U.S. and on [[Music for Nations]] in Europe, and peaked at number 155 on the ''Billboard''&nbsp;200 in 1986.<ref name="Whitburn">[[Joel Whitburn|Whitburn, Joel]]. ''Top Pop Albums'' (2001): 578</ref>{{efn|The 1988 re-issue of ''Kill 'Em All'' on Elektra Records also charted on the ''Billboard''&nbsp;200, peaking at number 120.<ref name="Whitburn"/>}} Although the album was not initially a financial success, it earned Metallica a growing fan base in the underground metal scene.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lepage|first=Mark|date=October 31, 2009|url=http://www2.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=9a47a506-f3a6-44e2-9fd3-443a42042b63|title=Metal metamorphosis|newspaper=[[Ottawa Citizen]]|access-date=June 12, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228131949/http://www2.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=9a47a506-f3a6-44e2-9fd3-443a42042b63|archive-date=December 28, 2014}}</ref> To support the release, Metallica embarked on the ''Kill 'Em All for One'' tour with [[Raven (band)|Raven]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Metallica Timeline May&nbsp;10–27, 1983 – July 27 – September 3, 1983|url=http://www.mtv.com/onair/icon/metallica/timeline/?id=4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113230418/http://www.mtv.com/onair/icon/metallica/timeline/?id=4|publisher=MTV|archive-date=January 13, 2009|access-date=May 30, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> In February 1984, Metallica supported [[Venom (band)|Venom]] on the Seven Dates of Hell tour, during which the bands performed in front of 7,000 people at the Aardschok Festival in [[Zwolle]], Netherlands.<ref name="Timeline 3">{{cite web|title=Metallica Timeline October–December 1983 – August 1984|url=http://www.mtv.com/onair/icon/metallica/timeline/?id=5|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115011308/http://www.mtv.com/onair/icon/metallica/timeline/?id=5|publisher=MTV|archive-date=January 15, 2009|access-date=May 30, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>