Metallica are making headlines again this month. On 1 October 2026 the band opened Life Burns Faster, a 24-show residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas that runs into March 2027, keeping the 'No Repeat Weekend' idea from the M72 World Tour with two different set lists each week.
It is the latest chapter for a band that started in a Los Angeles rehearsal space in 1981 and became the biggest name in heavy metal. Here is the full story, from thrash beginnings to stadiums and beyond. Find our tribute designs in the rock music collection.
Metallica Fact File
| Band name | Metallica |
|---|---|
| Formed | 28 October 1981 (45 years ago) |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California; long based in San Francisco |
| Founders | James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich |
| Current line-up | James Hetfield (vocals, rhythm guitar), Lars Ulrich (drums), Kirk Hammett (lead guitar), Robert Trujillo (bass) |
| Nationality | American |
| Genres | Heavy metal, thrash metal |
| Labels | Megaforce, Elektra, Warner Bros., Blackened |
| Years active | 1981-present |
| Current status | Life Burns Faster residency, Sphere, Las Vegas (Oct 2026-Mar 2027) |
| Signature album | Metallica, aka "The Black Album" (1991) |
Career History
| Years | Label | Key albums |
|---|---|---|
| 1983-1984 | Megaforce | Kill 'Em All (1983), Ride the Lightning (1984) |
| 1986-1988 | Elektra | Master of Puppets (1986), ...And Justice for All (1988) |
| 1991 | Elektra | Metallica, "The Black Album" (1991) |
| 1996-2003 | Elektra | Load (1996), Reload (1997), St. Anger (2003) |
| 2008 | Warner Bros. | Death Magnetic (2008) |
| 2016-2023 | Blackened | Hardwired... to Self-Destruct (2016), 72 Seasons (2023) |
Studio albums only, listed by original label. Live albums, EPs and orchestral releases are not included.
Early Years: Thrash Is Born
Drummer Lars Ulrich and singer-guitarist James Hetfield formed Metallica in 1981. After early line-up changes, Kirk Hammett joined on lead guitar in 1983, replacing Dave Mustaine, and bassist Cliff Burton brought a musical depth that shaped the early records.
Kill 'Em All (1983) and Ride the Lightning (1984) were fast, loud and ambitious, and they helped define the thrash metal sound that was spreading out of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Wear the legacy with our Metallica Music Icon Frame Men's Hoodie.
Breakthrough: Master of Puppets and Beyond
Master of Puppets (1986) is still held up as one of the greatest metal albums ever made. Later that year the band lost Cliff Burton in a tour bus accident in Sweden. Jason Newsted joined on bass and stayed until 2001.
Keep it simple with our Metallica Men's T-Shirt.
Peak: The Black Album Goes Global
In 1991 Metallica released their self-titled fifth album, known to everyone as the Black Album. It sold 650,000 copies in its first week in the US and has since been certified 16 times Platinum there, turning a metal band into a household name.
Load (1996) and Reload (1997) explored a looser hard rock style, while St. Anger (2003) marked the arrival of bassist Robert Trujillo.
Stay warm for the next gig in our Metallica Men's Hoodie.
Later Career: Still Headlining
Death Magnetic (2008) was welcomed as a return to the band's heavier roots, followed by Hardwired... to Self-Destruct (2016) on their own Blackened label. 72 Seasons (2023) launched the M72 World Tour and its two-night, no-repeat format.
Now the Sphere gives one of rock's great live bands a brand-new kind of stage.
Awards and Achievements
Grammy Awards
- 10 Grammy Awards from 26 nominations
Hall of Fame
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009
Records and other honours
- The Black Album certified 16 times Platinum in the US
- Polar Music Prize (2018)
- 11 studio albums released between 1983 and 2023
Away From the Spotlight
In 2017 the band launched the All Within My Hands Foundation, which supports workforce education, hunger relief and local community services. For the Sphere shows, Metallica have also invited fans to share photos from past concerts so they can be projected inside the venue.
FAQs
How long have Metallica been together?
Metallica formed in Los Angeles on 28 October 1981, so the band has been going for 45 years. Founders James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich are still in the line-up.
Who are the members of Metallica?
The current line-up is James Hetfield (vocals and rhythm guitar), Lars Ulrich (drums), Kirk Hammett (lead guitar, since 1983) and Robert Trujillo (bass, since 2003). Cliff Burton and Jason Newsted are the band's former bassists.
How many albums have Metallica released?
Metallica have released 11 studio albums, from Kill 'Em All in 1983 to 72 Seasons in 2023.
What is Metallica's best-selling album?
The self-titled 1991 album, known as the Black Album. It has been certified 16 times Platinum in the US.
Where are Metallica playing in 2026?
Metallica's Life Burns Faster residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas began on 1 October 2026 and runs to 13 March 2027, with 24 shows in total.
Are Metallica in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Yes. Metallica were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.
Shop the Metallica Collection
Every design below is an unofficial fan tribute, printed to order in the UK.
Metallica Men's T-Shirt
£29.99
Metallica Men's Hoodie
£39.99
See more in our rock music collection and the full music collection. And if you want your own name on the back, design a Custom Name Hoodie.
Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: AC/DC Career Story and Led Zeppelin Career Story.
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