Formed in Los Angeles in 1981, Metallica has become one of the bestselling bands in rock history. In this, the first complete illustrated treatment of the band, Martin Popoff presents the group's entire hisotry and provides a full discography, while a roster of respected music journalists including Richard Bienstock, Daniel Bukszpan, Neil Daniels, Andrew Earles, Gary Graff, Jaan Uhelszki, and Mick Wall dissects their releases. The stories behind the band's formation, tragedies, triumphs, recordings, personnel changes, and tours are complemented by more than 300 images, including live performance and candid off-stage photographs, as well as such memorabilia as gig posters, period print ads, concert tees, backstage passes, ticket stubs, and more. The result is an authoritative and visually stunning tribute to one of rock's most compelling bands.