From the momentMetallicadebuted, it was clear they had something special, andthroughout their legendary career, they have continued to add iconic moments. Although it may have seemed like it was, things were not always easy for the band. They have gone through their fair share of turmoil, includingreplacing various guitarists, one for a very tragic reason. However, the band has continued to overcome challenges like these.
Throughout the ’80s, they were one of themetal bands that created 10/10 albums, entertaining fans around the world. As they built their Metallica family, it allowed them to continue building their empire. Along with various other projects, they have become one of the fewmetal bands that have released more than 10 albums. They have proven their staying power, and even deep into their career,they show no signs of slowing down, with more iconic moments waiting right around the corner.
10Through The Never Comes To The Big Screen
The Band Goes Theatrical
Over the years, a few musicians have decided to take on the challenge of creating an actual movie.Metallica accepted this in 2013withThrough the Never. The theatrical concert film takes its name from a song on their self-titled 1991 album. It follows the misadventures of a roadie while showing concert footage of the band.
Many compared this venture to Pink Floyd’sThe Walland Daft Punk’sInterstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem. Although the film didn’t perform exactly as the band had hoped, they did receive positive praise from many critics. They knew they were taking a big risk with this, but regardless of how much it grossed,they can still add this to their list of accolades.
9It Is Now 9 Grammy Wins And Counting
They Continue To Be Among The Best
With three songs surpassing one billion streams on Spotify and more inching close, it’s clear to see Metallica’s music is beloved. The admiration for their music has led toover 20Grammy Award nominations(viaGrammy.com). These have come from both the rock and metal genres. They have received nominations for everything from Best Rock Song to Best Metal Performance and more.
Of the times they have been recognized, they have won 9 awards. Their latest victory was in 2024, when they won Best Rock Performance for their song “72 Seasons.” This was an incredible accomplishment,showing the band is still one of the best and ranks among the most successful rock stars in terms of wins. Now, they stand just one away from 10 awards, which would further cement their legacy.
8The Big 4 Come Together
This Was A Celebration Of Pioneers
When it comes to thrash metal, some of the most significant bands in the genre are “The Big 4”: Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth, and Slayer. Each of them has taken their own path to build their success, buttheir stories are forever interconnected. On August 13, 2025, at Levski Stadium in Sofia, Bulgaria, the four acts came together to perform.
When they all joined on stage and played “Am I Evil,” it was a moment that felt surreal.
To commemorate the event, a DVD was created. It has become a very special piece of history, asit marked a meeting of some of the greatest minds in music. When they all joined on stage and played “Am I Evil,“it was a moment that felt surreal. It was a thoughtful celebration between these bands that shaped an entire genre.
7A Perfect Way To Perform A Legendary Tune
This Cover Is Iconic
Not all cover songs are created equal. Some musicians opt to keep the sound close to the original, while others decide to put their own spin on it. While there is no definitive answer as to which approach is right,the way Metallica covered “Turn the Page” by Bob Seger has become revered as one of the best covers ever made. The track appeared on their compilation album,Garage Inc., and it has followed them ever since.
What the band did was put their own twist on it while still being respectful to Seger’s version. While he was known for being a bit more soulful, they infused their metal style into it, and it paid off. Even Seger himself enjoyed the cover,which is the ultimate compliment since many artists are not always flattered by the gesture.
6A Meaningful Story Is Told Through The Eyes Of The Fans
The Inspiring Documentary Has Been Created
When the band refers to their fans as their “Metallica Family,” they truly mean it, as after many decades together, that’s exactly what they are. Throughout everything they have created, they have become a source of inspiration for so many. This time,a new documentary in 2025 has been released in which the fans are giving back to them.
Essentially, this documentary will showcase a series of compelling stories from Metallica fans about how the band has helped them in their lives. One of the main stories revolves around a fan who worked tirelessly after a horrific accident to get in good enough shape to attend one of their concerts. Not many bands get to hear stories like this. Even more so, they received a full documentary,which will ensure their impact remains properly documented.
5The Show Is Stolen At Monsters Of Rock 1991
This Was The Largest Crowd They Ever Performed For
Metallica’s songs are known for being perfect for stadiums and massive crowds. One of the largest audiences they ever played for was in Moscow, Russia, in 1991. While it’s hard to know the official count,the VHS performance of this,For Those About to Rock: Monsters in Moscow, lists it as over 500,000. That number is difficult to fathom, and the footage from their set shows a sea of people.
On the VHS, Metallica has three songs listed on the tracklist: “Enter Sandman,” “Creeping Death,” and “Fade to Black.” That day, they also played alongside other rock legends such as Pantera, AC/DC, and The Black Crowes. Even though Metallica continues to tour the world,nothing has quite compared to what was witnessed during this event.
4Antarctica Receives An Iconic Performance
History Was Made That Day
On June 25, 2025,Metallica became the only band to perform on all seven continents when they held theirFreeze ‘Em Allevent. It was here that they played in Antarctica, in a dome near one of the scientific research centers. Only roughly 120 people were able to attend, which included researchers and winners of a sweepstake.
It is fair to say that Metallica is truly loved in every single part of the globe.
To commemorate their monumental achievement, they released both a live CD and a documentary surrounding the events.The band was recognized byThe Guinness Book of World Records, which noted not only that they played on all seven continents but also that they did so in only a one-year span. Now, it is fair to say that Metallica is truly loved in every single part of the globe.
32016 Marks The Start Of A Massive World Tour
The Rankings Show How Big This Was
Metallica has become known for playing the biggest venues in the world. However, it was surprising to see that, throughout their decades together, they didn’t make the Top 10 of highest-grossing tours in 1980, 1990, or the 2000s. This changed with theirWorldWired Tour, which began in 2016, asit finally put them in the record books.
Now in the 2010s, Metallica sits as the act that achieved the fifth highest-grossing tour, with over 500 million dollars earned. During the 2016-2019 span, they played 143 dates. The top name on the list was Ed Sheeran, who played 255 dates. Had Metallica done this, there’s no doubt they could have contended for the top spot; nonetheless,this added another accomplishment to their lengthy resume.
2Welcome To The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
This Induction Was Earned
There are many honors that musicians can receive, with one of the biggest being an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Metallica was voted in almost immediately upon being eligible. This is not a common occurrence, as many wait a long time for the nod, but in this case,there was no question that they were deserving of this recognition.
Artists are eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25 years after the release of their first commercial recording. Metallica’s first album was in 1983, and they were inducted into the hall in 2009.
On this night, they would be inducted alongside other legends such as Jeff Beck, Run-D.M.C., and Bobby Womack. For their acceptance, they were introduced by Flea, the bassist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. They would then perform a few songs, showing the crowd and those who would see it around the worldexactly why they belonged on that stage that night.
1The Music Video For “One” Arrives
Welcome To The Video Age
For everything that Metallica did to become pioneers of thrash metal and more, it took them many years to join the video age. Although MTV had been around since they started,they wouldn’t release their first music video until July 06, 2025. This was for their song “One,” which debuted on MTV, as it was the premier destination at the time.
To convey the theme of the song, they used scenes from the anti-war filmJohnny Got His Gun, along with showing themselves performing the tune in a room. The reason this was so vital to the band was thatit propelled them to the next level of stardom. It increased their reach, and now, with the band introduced to a mainstream audience, the sky was the limit. They seized the opportunity, embraced the moment, and the rest is history.
