Metallica built their empire on speed, rage and grit, then watched that same empire question whether they still belonged. From Load to Master of Puppets, they blurred the lines between metal and mainstream with varying levels of fan acceptance.

In this episode, Marc Lajeunesse and Safa Hachi unpack how Metallica’s sound, image and ethos evolved while facing loyalty tests from fans, the media, and even themselves. 

We ask: How do you stay true to your roots when you’re the reason the genre grew branches?