Which Metallica drummer co-founded the band with James Hetfield in 1981?

The Metallica drummer who co-founded the band with James Hetfield in 1981 was Lars Ulrich.

Ulrich, a Danish-born drummer living in Southern California, placed an advertisement in the Los Angeles newspaper The Recycler seeking musicians to play heavy metal. James Hetfield and Hugh Tanner responded, and Ulrich soon began working with Hetfield. Metallica was officially formed on October 28, 1981, with Ulrich and Hetfield at its core.

Ulrich’s drumming became a defining part of Metallica’s fast, aggressive thrash-metal sound. He also played a major role in the band’s arrangements and songwriting, working closely with Hetfield across landmark albums such as Master of Puppets and ...And Justice for All. Metallica’s rise helped establish the band as one of thrash metal’s “Big Four,” alongside Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax.

The wrong options are drummers from other major metal acts: Scott Travis played with Judas Priest, Nicko McBrain is associated with Iron Maiden, and Dave Lombardo is best known for Slayer. Dave Mustaine was an early Metallica guitarist, not its drummer.