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…

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

…For Randy’s friends to ask him whatever they hell they want. We sat the Lamb Of God frontman down for an all-star grilling

What Testament’s frenetic vocalist has learned from Native American healers, Bay Area aggression and robots

What’s it like to be in a band at the very beginning of their career – only to leave before things take off? We ask early members of Deftones, Papa Roach, Trivium and more