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History
Current members
• James Hetfield - rhythm guitar, lead vocals (1981-present)
• Kirk Hammett - lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals (1983-present)
• Robert Trujillo - bass, backing vocals (2003-present)
• Lars Ulrich - Drums (1981-present)
Former members
• Jason Newsted - bass, backing vocals (1986-2001)
• Cliff Burton - bass, backing vocals (1982-1986) [deceased]
• Dave Mustaine - lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals (1981-1983)
• Ron McGovney - bass (1982)


Recent events, ninth studio album
On February 16, 2006, Metallica announced on their official website that after their 15+ year relationship, longtime producer Bob Rock was stepping down and would not be producing Metallica's next studio album. Rock had produced every Metallica album since 1991. Metallica is currently working on a studio album with producer Rick Rubin who has produced albums for other prominent rock and metal bands such as Slayer, System of a Down, Slipknot, Beastie Boys, Audioslave, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine and Linkin Park.
Metallica debuted an untitled song nicknamed "The New Song" in Berlin, Germany on June 6, 2006 on the European leg of the Escape from the Studio '06 mini tour. On August 12, 2006, Metallica debuted another song in Tokyo, Japan on the Asian leg of the tour, nicknamed "The Other New Song". They have also supported the Summer Sonic tour in Tokyo and Osaka, along with Linkin Park.
The band has previously unveiled new songs prior to their release: Four songs from Ride the Lightning ("Fight Fire with Fire", "Ride the Lightning", "Creeping Death", and "The Call of Ktulu") were performed before the release of the album; Master of Puppets' "Disposable Heroes" was debuted on September 14 of 1985; not to mention "Sanitarium" performed at Roskilde 1985; ...And Justice for All's "Harvester of Sorrow" received its live debut in 1987, Load's "2x4" and Reload's "Devil's Dance" were played during the Escape from the Studio '95 mini-tour; and "Fuel" were played at various points during the Load tour 1996-97. ("The Memory Remains" and "Bad Seed" were teased numerous times at shows throughout 1996 and 1997).
It was during this time on tour that the band finally bowed to fan pressure and decided to make each of their albums available from the Tunes Store - though strictly in the U.S. and Canada until issues with their European label are resolved - allowing individual tracks to be legally downloaded for the first time. Exclusive tracks from the Seattle '89 shows were added to the band's first four albums.
On October 13, 2006 Metallica announced that they would release a DVD containing all their videos from 1989 to 2004. The DVD, The Videos 1989-2004, was released on December 4, 2006 worldwide and on December 5 in North America. The Videos 1989-2004 eventually became available on the iTunes Store.
Metallica also released a cover of "The Ecstasy of Gold", a song by Ennio Morricone in an album entitled We All Love Ennio Morricone released on February 20, 2007, in which other artists honor the composer. The Ecstasy of Gold has been the opener of Metallica live shows for over 20 years - but it has always been the original instrumentation and arrangement, played from a recording. This new version features the band itself performing it, giving a new guitar-based interpretation to the song.
On February 9, 2007 Metallica confirmed that pre-production on the new studio album had been completed, and recording of the new album would begin on March 12, 2007. The band also announced that a summer tour, later named "Sick of the Studio '07", was in the early planning stages.Eleven dates of this tour have been announced so far.
On Saturday, May 25th, 2007, Lars was a guest on The Opie and Anthony radio show and stated that they will play 3-4 new songs on this tour and the backing track of the new album had been finished the week before.
On June 15, 2007 Metallica returned to HQ after a short break to begin rehearsing for their "Sick Of The Studio" Tour. The winners from the METALLICA: THE VIDEOS 1989-2004 DVD radio and online contests were treated to the HQ VIP treatment with a BBQ, a few autographs, and an intimate performance from the band in the jam room.
Metallica's 2007 tour began in Lisbon, Portugal at the 13th edition of mega-rock festival Super Bock Super Rock in which they played "... And Justice for All" for the first time in 18 years. Metallica played to a crowd of more than 40,000 fans. The tour will run through July 2007. On July 7, 2007, Metallica performed at Wembley Stadium as part of Live Earth. At Live Earth Metallica played the songs 'Sad But True', 'Nothing Else Matters and 'Enter Sandman'. The BBC, who were broadcasting the event from the UK were flooded with complaints after they missed the beginning of 'Sad But True' and then cut off before 'Enter Sandman' during the set, to a pre-recorded Crowded House performance from the Sydney show. They peformed at Wembley Stadium the following day, as part of their tour; Sick of the studio 07'.