Metallica

James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich formed Metallica in Los Angeles in 1981, and the band’s early records—Kill ’Em All, Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets—helped push thrash metal from underground clubs to a global audience. The 1991 self-titled “Black Album” widened that reach with a more direct, expansive sound, while the group continued to experiment across later releases and projects. 72 Seasons (2023) began a new album cycle and the M72 tour, whose two-night “No Repeat Weekend” format pairs different setlists. In 2026 Metallica carried M72 into another year, added a Las Vegas Sphere residency, and extended the stadium run into 2027.