The Metallica Archives

This is a timeline of major Metallica events from 1982 to 1993.

1982

14 March 1982 - First show at Radio City, Anaheim, California. [WG1]
14 June 1982 - 'Various Artists - Metal Massacre' compilation released. [MC1]
6 July 1982 - No Life 'Til Leather demo recorded at Chateau East Studio in Tustin, California. [MR1]
August 1982 - 'Metallica - No Life 'Til Leather' demo distributed. [release date has been assumed based on the date recorded, and the time to duplicate and prepare covers]

10 to 27 May 1983 - Kill 'Em All recorded at Music America, in Rochester, New York. [MA1|WA1]
25 July 1983 - 'Metallica - Kill 'Em All' released. [MA1|DA1]
27 July 1983 - U.S. 'Kill 'Em All For One Tour' supporting Raven begins. This is the band's first tour. [WG3]
29 October 1983 - Jump In The Fire single b-sides and Ride The Lightning demos recorded at The Automatt, San Francisco, California. [MA1|WA1]

20 January 1984 - 'Metallica - Jump In The Fire' U.K. single released. [DS1]
22 January 1984 - U.S. 'Kill 'Em All For One Tour' supporting Raven ends. [WG3]
23 January 1984 - 'Metallica - Whiplash' U.S. single released. [DS2]
3 February 1983 - European 'Seven Dates Of Hell Tour' supporting Venom begins. [WG3]
12 February 1983 - European 'Seven Dates Of Hell Tour' supporting Venom ends. [WG3]
20 February to 14 March 1984 - Ride The Lightning recorded at Sweet Silence, Copenhagen, Denmark. [MA2|WA2]
27 July 1984 - 'Metallica - Ride The Lightning' released. [DA2]
?? October 1984 - Creeping Death single b-sides recorded. [MA1]
16 November 1984 - European 'Bang The Head That Doesn't Bang Tour' with Tank supporting begins. [WG3]
23 November 1984 - 'Metallica - Creeping Death' U.K. single released. [DS3]
20 December 1984 - European 'Bang The Head That Doesn't Bang Tour' with Tank supporting ends. [WG3]

1 September to 27 December 1985 - Master Of Puppets recorded at Sweet Silence, Copenhagen, Denmark. [WA3]

3 March 1986 - 'Metallica - Master Of Puppets' released. [DA3]
2 July 1986 - 'Metallica - Master Of Puppets' French single released. [MS4]
27 September 1986 - Cliff Burton killed in bus accident in Sweden. [WG1]
?? October 1986 - Auditions held to find Metallica's new bass player. [WG11]

?? April 1987 - 'Metallica - Creeping Death / Jump In The Fire' U.K. compilation E.P. released, combining the two previously released singles. [release date has been assumed based on other Metallica, Anthrax, and Exodus CD reissued by Music For Nations that month]
?? July 1987 - The $5.98 E.P., Garage Days Re-Revisited recorded at A&M Studios, Santa Monica, California and Conway Studios, Los Angeles, California. [WS4]
21 August 1987 - 'Metallica - The $5.98 E.P., Garage Days Re-Revisited' E.P. released. [DS5]
28 November 1987 - 'Metallica - Cliff 'Em All!' home video released in tribute to Cliff Burton. [MV1]

28 January to 1 May 1988 - ...And Justice For All recorded at One On One, Los Angeles, California. [WA4]
28 August 1988 - 'Metallica - Harvester Of Sorrow' U.K. single released. [MS5]
7 September 1988 - 'Metallica - ...And Justice For All' released. [WA4]
30 October 1988 - 'Metallica - Eye Of The Beholder' U.S. single released. [MS6]

7 May 1990 - 'Metallica - The Good, The Bad, & The Live (The 6 1/2 Year Anniversary 12" Collection)' U.K. boxed set released combining all previously released singles and E.P.s with a new live E.P.. [MO1]
24 September 1990 - 'Various Artists - Rubáiyát (Elektra's 40th Anniversary)' compilation released. [WC2]
6 October 1990 - Metallica recording commences at One On One, Los Angeles, California. [WA5]

16 June 1991 - Metallica recording concludes at One On One, Los Angeles, California. [WA5]
12 August 1991 - 'Metallica - Metallica' released. [WA5]