If you know anything about thrash metal, four bands come to mind: Megadeth, Anthrax, Slayer, and Metallica. Often referred to as “The Big Four,” these groups popularized the genre in the 1980s. Thrash was a new take on heavy metal, one that was faster, meaner and extreme in sound and subject matter. Explosive blast beats, head-banging guitar riffs and blistering solos came with dark lyrics of worldwide destruction and inner turmoil.
Metallica soon became the star of the scene. Debuting with 1983’s Kill ‘Em All, the band built a momentum with 1984’s Ride The Lightning and what is considered their greatest work: 1986’s Master of Puppets. But just a few years later, they would release an album that marked a change, one that saw them stray away from the sound they pioneered: …And Justice For All.
But when did they actually release it?
Despite the number of metalheads and music nerds on the Internet, there is some confusion about when AJFA was actually released. Metal Hammerand Loudwirehave claimed that Metallica put out the album on Aug. 25, 1988, while Wikipedia, Amazon and other sites list the release date as Sep. 7.
Jason Newsted and James Hetfield onstage at the "Monsters of Rock" festival at Rice Stadium on July 2, 1988, in Houston, Texas.Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Loudwire did a comprehensive breakdown of the mystery in 2023 and explained where the confusion arose. On Sept. 25, 1988, The New York Times wrote that the album “sold a million copies…in less than a month,” leading readers to think it came out in late August. But Rolling Stone ran a review in its Nov. 3, 1988, issue, which would be late for a review.
Metallica itself has been no help. Its website lists Sept. 7, 1988, as the release date, but in 2016, the band’s official Twitter celebrated …And Justice For All’s release date as Aug. 25.
Ultimately, Metallica’s team told Loudwire that it’s “definitely” Sept. 7, but with so many other sites listing Aug. 25 as the release date, today is a good time to observe ..And Justice For All and its impact.
James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Jason Newsted and Kirk Hammett of MetallicaPhoto by Paul Natkin/WireImage
…And Justice For All is Metallica’s first album following the death of bassist Cliff Burton, who was killed in a tour bus accident in 1986. Burton was one of the band’s prominent songwriters, and his absence is felt on …And Justice For All. Metal Hammer noted that the band shifted away from “the short, sharp shock stylings” for a more “prog-like approach” to their song structure.
The album is also known for its dry mix, flattening newcomer Jason Newsted’s bass to nearly inaudible volumes.
However, …And Justice For All ushered in a new level of mainstream success for Metallica. Criticists praised the album’s complexity. “One” became the band’s first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, and it won the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.
Metallica would continue to stray from its thrash sound in the follow-up album, 1991’s self-titled Metallica—aka The Black Album.
Related: On This Day: Metallica Released Their 'Most Fun Record' 38 Years Ago
Hence then, the article about 37 years ago metallica changed the course of their sound forever was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 37 Years Ago, Metallica Changed the Course of Their Sound Forever )
Also on site :
- Kentucky congressman announces death of longtime staffer, campaign manager
- Atlanta woman makes $100 Camille Rose order. Then she picks up the package from the post office: ‘They are straight robbing people’
- Camarillo man arrested after stolen camera reactivated and installed on the exterior of a home