During the European part of the tour, the band suffered the tragedy - their bus crashed on its way and Burton died in the result. Metallica toured along the USA with Ozzy Osbourne - though there were some difficulties due to Hetfield's broken wrist. The supporting tour was a success and in 1986, the band issued one of their most legendary full-lengths - Master Of Puppets. In 1984, it was followed up by Ride The Lightning with the eponymous lead single and powerful thrash composition For Whom The Bell Tolls. In 1983, the band released their aggressive debut Kill'em All that made a big army of fans for Metallica. Mustaine later formed the Megadeth thrash command, which also reached big success. He was replaced by former lead guitarist of Exodus Kirk Hammett. However, the band was filled with tension because of Mustaine's aggression, caused by alcohol and drug abuse.

The artists told good-bye to McGovney and moved. After the long hesitations, Burton agreed on the terms that Metallica would re-base to San Francisco. In the fall of the same year, Hetfielf and Ulrich met bassist Cliff Burton from Trauma and were so impressed by his play that invited him to join them. The first single by Metallica Hit The Light entered the collection Metal Massacre I in 1982, and musicians got their portion of attention. They took guitarist Dave Mustaine, astonished by his professional equipment, and bassist Ron McGovney. He added former Leather Charm rhythm-guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield, who answered the advertisement, without hesitation and they continued the search together. Drummer Lars Ulrich put an advertisement about gathering a metal band in the newspaper The Recycler in the beginning of 1981.

Metallica black album download free