___ Ulrich, Metallica drummer

LARS

This Danish-born musician co-founded Metallica in 1981 and is known for his aggressive, fast-paced drumming style. His first name is also a Scandinavian given name meaning "crowned with laurel."

This clue is asking for the first name of Metallica’s longtime drummer, Lars Ulrich. The blank before "Ulrich" signals you need a short first name that fits the space—here, it’s "LARS," which is four letters. If you know Metallica’s lineup, this is straightforward, but even if you don’t, the clue hints at a famous drummer’s name paired with "Ulrich."