The German metallers gear up for their biggest ever UK show, and promise some surprises.

Metallica ’s 1984 began with a gear heist and a cancelled UK tour; it ended with them being heavy metal’s Next Big Thing. Then came Master Of Puppets. This is the inside story of the making of that album and the two year whirlwind that took four “alcoholica” outcasts from the El Cerrito garage to the big time.

Mr Megadeth on the band’s final chapter, his love for Ozzy, finger numbness, trading mosh pits for a silver screen future…

THE ESSENTIAL NEW ROCK TRACKS YOU NEED TO HEAR THIS MONTH AND THE BANDS TO HAVE ON YOUR RADAR

If you’re looking for some ‘leather, studs and bullet belts’ classic metal, get in their firing line.

A choir on one of Germany’s Big Four thrash bands’ new album? “We always did our own thing.”