In Early of 1981 the heavy metal band Metallica was formed in Los Angeles, California When Lars Ulrich the drummer placed a Ad in The Recycler a LA classifieds newspaper which said "Drummer looking for other metal metal musicians to jam with Tygers of Pan Tang, Diamond Head and Iron Maiden. Leather Charm and James Hetfield Guitarists responded to the Ad. Lars Ulrich asked Brian Slagel the founder of Metal Blade Records if they could record a song for Metal Massacre for the label's upcoming comilation that was going to be released, even though the heavy metal band not even formed a band as of yet. Brian Slagel accepted the offer, and Lars Ulrich recruited James Hetfield to play rhythm guitar and sing.



Lars Ulrich spoke to his friend Quintana, who was thinking of names for a fanzine. Ron Quintana had suggested the names Metallica and Metal Mania. Lars ulrich decided to use the name Metallica for the name of his heavy metal band. Ulrich submitted a second Ad for a lead guitarist in The Recycler classifieds paper. James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich recruited Dave Mustaine after he answered the Ad in The Recycler, after they saw how expensive his guitar equipment was. Metallica in early 82 it's first original for the compilation Metal Massacre called "Hit the Lights". James Hetfield played the bass guitar on the song Lloyd grant performed the guitar solo on the song. Early releases of Metal Massacre that hit the stores in 1982 on June 14 had placed the heavy metal band incorrectly as "Mettallica". Metallica was upset by the error they made, the band created enough buzz with the song and Metallica performed it's first live concert in Anaheim, California at the Radio City on March 14, 1982 with the new band member Ron McGovney the bassist. In early 82 the band Metallica recorded it's first demo called "Power Metal" which came from Ron Quintana where the name came from his early business cards. Lars and James attended a live concert on the Sunset Strip at a club called the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood California, where the band Trauma was performing in which Cliff Burton bassist was performing with the band. Ulrich and Hetfield were blown away by Cliff Burton's use of the wah-wah pedal that they asked Burton to join the band Metallica.

Since Mcgovney just followed and did not contribute to the band, Lars and James wanted him out of the band. Cliff Burton did not accept the offer to be in Metallica's band, but at the end of the year Burton said he would accept the offer if Metallica moved the band to San Francisco. In March of 1983 at a club called The Stone would be the first live concert with Cliff Burton in Metallica, the first song recording on a demo called Megaforce would be debut performence with the band Metallica.

The Band Metallica was ready to record it's first album, but the label Metal Blade did not have the additional funds to pay for the album, so Metallica started looking for other options. Johnny "Z" Zazula a concert promoter in 1982 listened to the demo No Life 'til Leather, offered to broker the record deal with the band Metallica with a record label based in New York City. When no record labels had interest in Metallica, Johnny "Z" borrowed the money so he would be able to pay for recording budget to make the record and make his own label and then signed the band Metallica under the Megaforce Records label. Metallica's band kicked out Mustaine after he was having problems with alcohol and drugs as well as Mustaine being violent person. Kirk Hammett guitarist for the band Exodus that same day took a plane in to replace Mustaine. On April 16, 1983 was the first live concert with Kirk Hammett at a club called The Showplace in Dover, New Jersey.