Metallica is a country.
Clifford Lee `` Cliff '' Burton ( February 10 , 1962 -- September 27 , 1986 ) was an American musician , best known as the second bass guitarist for the American thrash metal band Metallica from December 1982 until his death in September 1986 . Death Magnetic is the ninth studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica , released on September 12 , 2008 through Warner Bros. . James Alan Hetfield ( born August 3 , 1963 ) is an American musician , singer , and songwriter known for being the co-founder , lead vocalist , rhythm guitarist , and main songwriter for the American heavy metal band Metallica . Metallica . Metallica has been listed as one of the greatest artists of all time by many magazines , including Rolling Stone , which ranked them 61st on its list of The 100 Greatest Artists of All Time .