Metallica is primarily known for their music in the heavy metal genre, specifically within the subgenre of thrash metal. Over their longstanding career, they have tremendously shaped thrash metal, being titled one of the ‘Big Four’ bands in the genre.
On the spectrum of metal genres, Metallica has carved out a significant footprint. Their musical style has deeply influenced the thrash metal subgenre, a more aggressive and faster counterpart to traditional heavy metal. Over time, they also tried out hard rock, speed metal, and even worked with orchestras, showing their ability to change while staying true to their metal roots.
Metallica’s Dominant Genres
Drilling down into Metallica’s core genres, the focus shifts to heavy metal and thrash metal, where the band’s roots lie and where they’ve made the most significant impact.
In the early stages of their career, Metallica fit neatly into the heavy metal bracket, which was a broad category when they began their journey. As their music evolved, they became pioneers of thrash metal, known for their speed and aggression, intricate guitar work, rapid-fire riffs, and socially charged lyrics. Their albums like “Ride the Lightning,” “Master of Puppets,” and “Death Magnetic” showcase their definitive role in shaping the thrash metal genre.
This dual-dominance in the heavy metal and thrash metal genres is what sets Metallica apart and has been key to their success. It’s through these genres that they’ve not only expressed their unique sound but also left a legacy on the landscape of rock music.
Tracing Metallica’s Musical Evolution
Metallica’s discography showcases an exceptional path that maps their musical diversity within their genres. With each album, their sound has shifted, often as the outcome of changing line-ups, personal events, and music industry trends.
Their early works, like “Kill ‘Em All” and “Ride The Lightning,” were revolutionary, firmly placing them as leaders of the thrash metal movement. These albums set the tone for the band’s distinct, raw, and aggressive style.
Unexpected events like Burton’s death and subsequent replacement by Jason Newsted prompted another evolution. This shift resulted in the release of “…And Justice for All” and “Metallica (Black Album),” which displayed more complex song structures and deeper lyrical themes, stepping into progressive metal and thrash metal.
The introduction of Rob Trujillo further imbued diversity, with albums like “Death Magnetic” and “Hardwired…to Self-Destruct” reflecting their experiments in sound. Their recent album, “72 Seasons,” features a lengthy heavy metal track called “Inamorata,” which is their longest song ever at over 11 minutes.
Conclusion
Over their 40-year career, Metallica has explored and shaped various aspects of the metal genre. They started in heavy metal and played a key role in pioneering thrash metal, infusing it with their distinct style. They’re still a big name in music today, connecting heavy metal and thrash metal and leaving a lasting influence for future musicians.
Metallica Featured Image by: Dennis Radaelli, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
