LINE-UPS
James Hetfield
(vocals/guitar)
Kirk Hammett (guitar)
Jason Newsted (bass)
Lars
Ulrich (drums) |
METALLICA
wound up their European tour in Europe during January
of 1987 before completing Scandinavian dates. The last
of these shows, in Gothenberg, Swede, would witness a
live showing of MERCYFUL FATE's 'Return Of The Vampire'.
1987 would prove to be trying for Hetfield as he broke
his arm skate boarding. The guitarist vowed to give the
sport up.
METALLICA went back into the studio to cut the 'Garage
Days Revisited' EP. A novel homage to their inspirations
and influences it fitted in well with the METALLICA ethos.
Included were songs from DIAMOND HEAD, HOLOCAUST, BUDGIE
and THE MISFITS. The Japanese version also had KILLING
JOKE's 'The Wait'. Other tracks from these sessions BUDGIE's
'Breadfan' and DIAMOND HEAD's 'The Prince' would surface
on subsequent single B sides. The EP, a previously untested
commercial move, was a solid success charting and lodging
itself in the American charts for 8 weeks. 'Breadfan'
in particular would dig it's claws in as METALLICA opened
up their live show with this old warhorse for many, many
years to come.
In August 1987 METALLICA made a triumphant return to a
rain sodden Castle Donington to appear third on a BON
JOVI topped 'Monsters Of Rock' bill. METALLICA then joined
the European leg of the festivals which were topped by
DEEP PURPLE.
Newsted took time out in late 1987 to briefly re-unite
with his old act FLOTSAM AND JETSAM in Arizona when he
performed an impromptu jam at a SACRED REICH show with
his old band mates and SLAYER guitarist Kerry King.
METALLICA rounded off the year fittingly with the tribute
video to their late bass player. 'Cliff 'Em All' would
include live material as well as home video recordings.
Recording a successor to 'Master Of Puppets' began with
GUNS N' ROSES studio man Mike Clink but within months
longstanding ally Flemming Rasmussen had supplanted the
big name producer and METALLICA started the album again
from scratch.
Despite the problems in the studio METALLICA retained
the fan awareness by clambering aboard the touring extravaganza
that was the American 'Monsters Of Rock' roving package
in 1988. Based upon the tried and tested British formula
of the same name the American version, featuring a heavyweight
package of VAN HALEN, SCORPIONS, METALLICA, DOKKEN and
KINGDOM COME, it looked a winner but it was to eventually
flounder due to high ticket prices. METALLICA themselves
fared well even though the first month of the tour had
them flying back to Bearsville, NY in a desperate race
to finish mixing of the album that would become '... And
Justice For All'.
Newsted was to gain his first writing credit with the
band for the lead track 'Blackened'.
The album was aired live secretly in Los Angeles as the
band, dubbed, FRAYED ENDS, jammed out new material to
a select few.
Upon the album's release METALLICA hit Europe starting
with a show in Budapest, Hungary prior to a headlining
American tour with strong support from QUEENSRYCHE.
