Metallica fans only just realising band name origin after 43 years

Despite rocking the scene for over 43 years, some Metallica fans are only just learning about where the band's origins.

legends Metallica burst onto the Los Angeles music scene back in late 1981, following a fateful ad in The Recycler by Danish drummer Lars Ulrich that declared: "Drummer looking for other metal musicians to jam with Tygers of Pan Tang, Diamond Head and Iron Maiden."

This led to his meeting with guitarists James Hetfield and Hugh Tanner of Leather Charm. Their chemistry was undeniable - and soon they were snagging a spot on a compilation album for Metal Blade Records.

Metallica officially came into being on October 28, 1981, with Ulrich and Hetfield at the core, and by 1983, they had dropped their debut album, now joined by Dave Mustaine and Ron McGovney.

Since those early days, Metallica has dominated the metal genre, boasting an impressive discography of 11 studio albums, a cover album, eight live albums, three EPs, and a slew of singles.

The current lineup features Hetfield and Ulrich, alongside Kirk Hammett shredding the lead guitar and Robert Trujillo on bass. It has also seen four past members leave. Trujillo, who stepped in after Jason Newsted left to pursue solo ventures in 2002, is the latest addition.

Despite Metallica's 44-year legacy, fans remain baffled by the origin of the band's enigmatic name. Devotees recently took their curiosity to a forum dedicated to the heavy metal icons.

"I'm a huge Metallica fan but i never questioned their name and since yesterday i was wondering if 'Metallica' has any serious meaning?" one fan queried on the .

One Redditor offered an explanation: "I think someone wanted to use it for a magazine name but then the band suggested that a different magazine name be chosen. That way the band could use the Metallica name. Hopefully that helps a bit."

Another forum user chimed in, recounting a story involving Lars Ulrich: "Ron Quintana asked Lars which would be a better name for his magazine - Metallica or Metal Mania. Well, Lars took the other one for his new band."

And another echoed this tale, writing: "As I recall he lied and told him metal mania because he wanted metallica for himself lol."

Where does the name Metallica come from?

In an interview with , Ulrich shared: "Well, I came up here actually in the spring of 1981 and ended up at a kegger over on Strawberry Hill. And I met a bunch of really cool San Francisco kids. One them was named Ron [Quintana].

"And he told me he wanted to start his own fanzine, like a hard rock fanzine, where he wrote about all his favorite bands. And he wanted - he asked me whether he should call the fanzine Metallica or Metal Mania. So I suggested that he call it Metal Mania."

Following that pivotal moment, Lars Ulrich adopted the name Metallica for his now legendary band, cementing its place in music history.