Kirk Hammett
History of USA
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| | 1983 | Metallica |  |
| Ulrich and Hetfield decide Mustaine's 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 |
| 1984 | Metallica |  |
| Metallica release Ride the Lightning, The album's inclusion of a slower, more introspective song, "Fade to Black", sets Metallica apart from other thrash bands |
| 1986 | Metallica |  |
| ..And Justice for All, the first studio album since Burton's 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 |
| 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 |
| 1991 | Metallica |  |
| 14th Aug 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." |
| 1999 | Metallica |  |
| 22nd April Metallica records two performances with the San Francis co Symphony Orchestra, then conducted by Michael Kamen, Kamen, had previously worked with Bob Rock on "Nothing Else Matters" |
| 1999 | San Francisco Walk of Fame |  |
| 7th Mar Metallica is inducted into the San Francis co Walk of Fame |
| 2001 | Metallica |  |
| 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 |
| 2003 | Metallica |  |
| Metallica's eighth full-length recording, St. Anger, debuts at number one on the album charts |
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