To Live Is To Die: The Life & Death Of Metallica's Cliff Burton

Metallica's early career was marked by a gradual evolution from garage thrash to sophisticated, progressive heights, driven by Cliff Burton's songwriting ability and bass skills. His death at 24 in a tour bus crash on a Swedish mountain road was sudden and shocking. Metallica went on to global success, but never pushed the creative envelope as radically as they had done during the first four years of their career. This revised and updated edition of To Live Is To Die adds a new chapter on Cliff's enduring legacy and a preface from Testament bass master Steve Di Giorgio.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 11 April 2023
Publisher: Outline Press Ltd

Metallica, the renowned metal band, has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years. While they are now celebrated as consummate musicians, their early career was marked by a gradual evolution from garage thrash to sophisticated, progressive heights. This remarkable journey was driven by the exceptional talent and musical vision of their bass player, Cliff Burton.

Cliff's life was tragically cut short at the age of 24 in a devastating tour bus crash on a Swedish mountain road. However, his impact on Metallica and the broader metal community remains profound. Despite his untimely passing, Metallica continued to achieve global success, but they acknowledged that they never pushed the creative envelope as radically as they had during the first four years of their career.

The cult of Cliff Burton grows year on year, and his influence extends far beyond the realm of metal. Countless bassists in various genres have acknowledged his profound impact on their music and style. This revised and updated edition of "To Live Is To Die: The Metallica Story," published to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Metallica's debut album, "Kill 'Em All," adds a new chapter on Cliff's enduring legacy. It also includes a preface from Testament bass master Steve Di Giorgio, further highlighting the significance of Cliff's contributions to the world of music.

In conclusion, Metallica's journey from garage thrash to progressive metal heights is a testament to the power of music and the enduring legacy of Cliff Burton. His songwriting ability, phenomenal bass skills, and profound influence on the metal community continue to inspire and influence musicians worldwide. Despite his untimely passing, Cliff's music lives on, and his impact will be felt for generations to come.

Weight: 520g
Dimension: 152 x 216 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781911036999
Edition number: 3 Revised edition