Beginning in 1981. Lars Ulrich, a fan of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal metal that might start a band. He finally an ad in the Recycler magazine published by Southern California, which read: “Drummer looking for other metal musicians to jam with Tyger of Pan Tang, Diamond Head and Iron Maiden.”

October 1981 Although at that time Lars was still a band, convinced that his friend Brian Slagel (Metal Blade Records founder) for a song to perform in the next compilation album, Metal Massacre. Slagel agrees, and eventually James Hetfield Lars recruited as a singer and guitarist.
Still with the band has not one name, Lars discussing with a friend Ron Quintana, who was looking for names for a fanzine. Among the names mentioned Quintana’s “Metal Mania” and “Metallica”. Lars to convince Rob to use the name for the fanzine Metal Mania and “steal” the name of Metallica as a band name.
  
1982 Dave Mustaine posted the following response by Lars ad in the magazine that it Recycler looking for a guitarist. After hearing Dave plays guitar and saw equipment tools, boots and James decided to hire Dave.
Metallica their first song “Hit The Lights” for Metal Massacre compilation album I. Formation of the band at that time was: James Hetfield as a singer, rhythm guitarist and bass. Lars Ulrich on drums. As lead guitarist Dave Mustaine.
  
1982, Metallica will perform their first concert in Radio City, Anahiem, California in the formation: James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Dave Mustaine and Ron McGovney.
James thinks that this band will not succeed without a frontman, and singing while playing guitar is not too good plasticity. After a number of courses that are less successful with another singer, Sammy Dijon, they finally decided that James remained as a singer and frontman of the guitar, while all components will be done by Dave.
  
1982 ,Metallica as the opening act at the Whiskey-Saxon group. Motley Crue effectively implement Saxon as his opening act. But the fact is Tommy Lee and Vince Nail refused to appear as an opening band again. And finally, they Ron McGovney to the developer with Metallica as a band ended tampilanya Saxon opening.
  
April 1982 Metallica made their demo album, the first entitled Power Metal. The name was inspired by their name cards by Ron McGovney. May 25, 1982 Metallica concert in Backbay High School (where Lars schools) in Costa Mesa. James’s first appearance on Rhythm guitar. Unfortunately, the concert was not too successful, because the majority of them are not a fan of Metal and the place was nearly empty before she finished Setlist.
  
June 14, 1982 Metal Massacre I realized on first printing error in writing by the Record: “Mettallica” and “Ron McGouney. Since “Hit The Lights” in the version recorded using only 4-track cassette player then the result is not too good.
  
1982 Metallica album their second demo called No Life ’till leather material with seven new songs: “Hit The Lights”, “Mechanix”, “Motorbreath”, “Seek and Destroy’, ‘Metal Militia’, ‘Jump in the Fire’ and “Phantom Lord”.
A few months later, James and Lars saw the band performing at the Whiskey A Go-Go Trauma with Cliff Burton on bass. Cliff wah pedal used to produce bass sound very, very different from the other bass players.
Interested in playing bass with Cliff and a little disappointed with the bass playing Ron McGovney, Lars and James approached Cliff after the show and asked him to join Metallica. At that time Cliff answer “No”. Although at the end of Cliff Metallica finally agreed to join if they wish to move to San Francisco.
  
On 1982 Metallica performed at the Old Waldrof, San Francisco with Exodus as an opening band. It was then that for the first time they met Kirk Hammett. Metallica concert was recorded by amateur and eventually became a live demo titled Metal Up Your Ass demo.
The next night, they took part in the event of his Metal Mania Ron Quintana. This is his last gig with Metallica Ron McGovney.