The most played live songs by 25 iconic rock bands By Dave Everley published 30 September 23 Which songs have Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Queen and others played live the most? Spoiler: contains surprises
“All our grief and sadness got directed at him”: Watch James Hetfield explain why Metallica hazed Jason Newsted in the ’80s By Matt Mills published 30 September 23 James Hetfield explains why Metallica hazed bassist Jason Newsted after the death of Cliff Burton in this 2018 video
“We played Black Sabbath songs because we wanted Ozzy to sing with us – he thought we were making fun of him.” How a 1986 Ozzy Osbourne tour lifted Metallica to the major leagues By Matt Mills published 29 September 23 Despite skateboard accidents, drinking and a big Black Sabbath faux pas, Metallica’s 1986 US tour supporting Ozzy Osbourne ensured they’d be megastars
The 10 heaviest metal breakdowns of all time By Matt Mills published 28 September 23 When the beat drops, these songs by Metallica, Slayer and more hit like a freight train
"If I had to deal with the pressure, I'd crack and end up as a high school water polo coach": The time James Hetfield guested as a weird version of himself on American Dad By Rich Hobson published 28 September 23 Metallica frontman James Hetfield is no stranger to cameos in film and TV, but his appearance on American Dad might be the weirdest he's done
"We're led by the mantra that our best days are still ahead of us, and our favourite record is the one we haven't made yet": Lars Ulrich explains why, in 2023, Metallica are still hungry, and still not satisfied By Paul Brannigan published 28 September 23 Think Metallica are content to rest on past glories? Think again
"I could hear James down on the street, drunk. He was screaming, 'Cliff! Cliff! Where are you?'": What happened the night Metallica's Cliff Burton died By Dave Ling published 27 September 23 On the night of September 27, 1986, a tragic accident took the life of much-loved Metallica bassist Cliff Burton
“When the metal community heard a Metallica song with acoustic guitars, they lost their lunches.” How Metallica beat the gatekeepers and turned tragedy into an immortal ballad with Fade To Black By Alec Chillingworth published 26 September 23 In 1983, Metallica would have never dared write a ballad. But, after all their gear got stolen one year later, the band mined their emotional side to stunning effect.
“Lars Ulrich and Bob Rock said, ‘Go back and work on it’”: James Hetfield used to really not like Metallica’s Enter Sandman By Matt Mills published 20 September 23 Singer/guitarist James Hetfield used to think that Metallica’s signature megahit “wasn’t such a great song”
Dave Mustaine: "When I was in Metallica, I was kind of playing at Lars’s level, because Lars was still learning to play drums." By Merlin Alderslade published 20 September 23 Dave Mustaine discusses the parallels between his search for musicians for Megadeth and his time in Metallica
10 times massive metal bands played ridiculously intimate concerts By Stephen Hill published 20 September 23 Metallica, Iron Maiden and Slipknot have all performed to the tiniest of crowds after making it big
"If it wasn't for early prog, heavy metal would sound different today": Metallica's Kirk Hammett on discovering prog rock By Paul Brannigan published 19 September 23 It took a while for Kirk Hammett to properly listen to prog rock, but once Metallica's guitarist dived in, he went deep
10 times Metallica were accused of 'selling out' for completely ludicrous reasons By Matt Mills published 18 September 23 From firing Dave Mustaine to getting haircuts, Metallica have been called sell-outs by some since the start. Rarely have the accusations stuck
“I slugged James in the mouth – what would you do if someone pelted you?” Back in the ’80s, Dave Mustaine admitted he “earned” getting fired from Metallica By Matt Mills published 17 September 23 Watch Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine say that he deserved to get fired from Metallica and talk about having drinks with James Hetfield “the other night” in 1988
Watch pro-shot footage of Metallica performing Nothing Else Matters in Los Angeles By Stef Lach published 16 September 23 Metallica release live video of their performance of classic track Nothing Else Matters filmed on M72 tour
10 terrible heavy metal albums that sold shockingly well By Emily Swingle published 15 September 23 Metallica, Guns N’ Roses and Morbid Angel have all scored chart success with sub-par music – somehow
Déjà vu? Was Olivia Rodrigo's 'scary' MTV Video Music Awards production malfunction inspired by a Metallica tour stunt, or was that a SHEER COINCIDENCE? You decide By Paul Brannigan published 14 September 23 Selena Gomez may have been shocked when Olivia Rodrigo's VMAs performance of vampire went down in flames, but Metallica fans will recall exactly where they saw this before
“It’s futile trying to be the fastest or write the craziest riff on the planet”: Watch James Hetfield explain why Metallica ditched thrash on the Black Album By Matt Mills published 14 September 23 Metallica slowing down in 1991 was greeted with cries of “Sell-out!” But, according to frontman James Hetfield, they did it to stand out from an ever-quickening thrash metal scene.
10 metal bands who completely changed and immediately made a masterpiece By Stephen Hill published 13 September 23 Bands need to evolve to survive, and these classic albums by Metallica, Avenged Sevenfold and Sepultura are masterclasses in switching everything up
“Just like the pied piperrrrr!” Watch Metallica’s James Hetfield sing Symphony Of Destruction by Megadeth (and no, it’s not A.I.) By Matt Mills published 13 September 23 In 2008, Metallica frontman James Hetfield threw a good-natured joke towards former bandmate Dave Mustaine by imitating his higher-pitched vocal style