Metallica

Back in September 1985, when Metallica took the stage at the Metal Hammer Festival in Germany, they were riding high off the success of their iconic album, *Ride the Lightning.* Released just a year earlier, in 1984, this album marked a significant evolution in their sound, blending thrash metal intensity with more complex songwriting and emotional depth. It was during this period of explosive creativity that classic tracks like "Fade to Black," the very song performed in the live recording, helped solidify their place in rock history. Interestingly, this performance also took place just months after the tragic loss of bassist Cliff Burton in a bus accident—an event that deeply affected the band and its music. Clad in their early '80s metal attire, with Hetfield's raw vocals and Hammett's wild guitar solos electrifying the audience, this live rendition is a testament to their rising dominance in the metal scene just before they achieved global recognition. It's a bittersweet reminder of their resilience and the power of music to connect and inspire, even in the face of adversity.

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