Metallica

Metallica are, by almost any measure, the biggest metal band on Earth. Formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich and long based in San Francisco, they turned Bay Area thrash into stadium-filling law and became the defining member of thrash’s “Big Four” alongside Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax.

The run from Ride the Lightning (1984) and Master of Puppets (1986) through …And Justice for All (1988) is one of the most influential stretches in heavy music, and 1991’s self-titled “Black Album” made them a global phenomenon. With Hetfield, Ulrich, guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo, they remain a relentless live act four-plus decades on. Watch official videos for “Master of Puppets,” “One,” “Fade to Black” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls” below, and explore the full discography — from the thrash classics to the arena anthems.