Metallica Biography

Since their inception in 1981, Metallica have gone from an underground heavy-metal band
to one of the most successful acts in the world, with an intensely loyal if not rabid fanbase.
Their relevance is undeniable as evidenced by their ability to sell out stadiums and arenas
worldwide while continuing to sell millions of albums with each release -- a feat no other band in
history has sustained over a 25+ year career.

Sales of Metallica’s albums (including eight full-length albums and one e.p.) total over 97 million
worldwide, and have earned gold and/or platinum certifications in over forty countries. Video/DVD
sales for the band’s four long-form releases are over 6 million worldwide; the most for any rock band.
In addition, a live box-set release (containing over eight hours of live music and video), retailing at over
$80, has sold over 750,000 units worldwide, making it the biggest selling box-set of its kind in history.
Their most recent studio album, “St. Anger”, with worldwide sales approaching 6 million, was #1 in 30 countries.

The band’s worldwide catalog sales over the last four years are second only to those of the Beatles.
In each year from 2000 to 2006 the band’s catalog sold over 2.5 million albums worldwide. In 2004,
the band’s catalog topped the 4 million mark. In an industry of fickle sales - where fan loyalty is on
the brink of becoming a thing of the past - and where industry sales have plummeted by an estimated
30 to 40% Metallica are the most successful modern catalog band in the world; far outselling all rivals
in all genres on a yearly basis.

On the broadcast front, Metallica remain the number 1 band in audience testing at all U.S. Rock radio
formats (the number one for males aged 18-34) for the sixth straight year. According to the Demers Programming, “Metallica has accounted for approximately 5% of total airplay at the format over each
of the past five years”. This feat is unprecedented.

Metallica have garnered numerous awards and accolades throughout the world over their career,
including 6 Grammy Awards, 2 American Music Awards, 3 MTV Video Music Awards, 2 MTV
Europe Video Music Awards, and over 30 California Music Awards. In addition, their 1991 album, "Metallica" has been awarded the prestigious "Diamond Award" from the Recording Industry
Association of America (given to those albums with U.S. sales of 10 million or more). They received
the ASCAP Founders Award, honoring them as songwriters (this award is unprecedented for
a rock band).

When it comes to touring, there are few– if any– bands that deliver live the way Metallica does.
Their shows, which began in clubs and garages in the early eighties, are now selling out in arenas
and stadiums throughout the world, and continue to be among the most intense, powerful and visually stimulating concert experiences ever delivered. The band were the #1 concert draw in North America
in the 1990’s, and have remained one of the five biggest touring acts in the world over the last fifteen
years. The most impressive achievement that bears mentioning, however, is the fact that Metallica
continue to be a strong attraction in the touring world; a truly rare feat in today’s mercurial entertainment business, where fans often change allegiance to bands as often as they do hairstyles. Their recent
tour –the Summer ’07 “Sick of the Studio Tour”- which offered the band a brief respite from the
recording of their new album, saw Metallica play twelve shows on the European continent to a total
audience of nearly one million fans (including a headlining set at the London “LiveEARTH” show).

Metallica are a band whose success can be directly attributed to a passion and
no-compromise attitude in every project they undertake.
This biography was provided by the artist or their representative.