The story of the band from the inside, including a superb critical assessment of their work from the early days in Los Angeles through the storming St. Anger and the end of an era which saw Metallica dominate the metal world

The world's greatest exponents of thrash metal have spent more than 25 years taking their blistering hard rock around the world; in doing so they have sold an incredible 90 million albums. Drawing on rare archive interviews with guitarist James Hetfield and former bassist Jason Newsted, fans can hear how the band drew on British heavy metal and U.S. punk to fashion their extraordinary sound. They can share in the band's successes, trials, and tribulations, including the tragic death of bass player Cliff Burton in Sweden in 1986. The book also features a comprehensive track-by-track analysis of Metallica's studio releases and interviews with their personal photographer and friend Harold O, journalist Joel McIver, and Martin Hooker, founder of the British indie label Music for Nations, Metallica's UK and European home for their first three albums--considered by many to be their best work.