Kirk Hammett Biography

Ulrich and Hetfield decide Mustaines aggressive and disruptive behavior (related to alcohol and drug use) is too much to handle, Kirk Hammett is brought in from the band Exodus to replace Mustaine, who creates Megadeth

Metallica release Ride the Lightning, The albums inclusion of a slower, more introspective song, "Fade to Black", sets Metallica apart from other thrash bands

When Ride the Lightning caught the attention of major labels, Metallica sign with Elektra Records, their first release with Elektra is Master of Puppets, which serves as their breakthrough album. ..And Justice for All, the first studio album since Burtons death, was released, the album was a massive commercial success, reaching number 6 on The Billboard 200, their first album to reach the top 10

Metallica release their self-titled album, Metallica (popularly known as The Black Album by fans), which includes songs such as "Enter Sandman", "Nothing Else Matters", "Sad But True," "The Unforgiven," "Holier Than Thou," and "Wherever I May Roam."

Metallica is inducted into the San Francisco Walk of Fame

Metallica records two performances with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, then conducted by Michael Kamen, Kamen, had previously worked with Bob Rock on "Nothing Else Matters"

Hetfield enters rehab due to "alcoholism and other addictions", for nearly a year, Metallica cease to function in any meaningful way, Ulrich and Hammett, for the first time, seriously consider the possibility that Metallica might be finished

Metallicas eighth full-length recording, St. Anger, debuts at number one on the album charts