Location: San Francisco, California
Country: USA
Genre: Thrash metal, metal, rock
Full length: Kill ‘Em All
Format: Vinyl, cassette, CD
Label: Megaforce Records, Elektra Records
Release date: July 25, 1983
For many years I steered away from Metallica. Not that they are a bad band, I have just listened to so damn much Metallica since my youth that their music became somewhat tired and overplayed in my ears. With that said, later in life I spent some time with my daughter’s boyfriend, and as a Metallica fan, he inspired me to revisit some of their earlier work. As if by chance, I walked into Walmart one day and both “Kill ‘Em All” and “Ride the Lightning” were available on CD for ten bucks each. Thinking of my daughter’s boyfriend I picked them up and took them home. The rest of this writing will be about “Kill ‘Em All”.
I have always liked this album, but after not listening to Metallica for so long it was as if this piece of work was newly implanted in my brain. It was almost as if I found this record for the first time all over again—and I had forgotten that it was just so damn good! James’s voice is punchy and youthful and filled with drive, the guitars are a thrashy blur of fret masturbation, the bass (even more so on the solo track) is well played and Lars’s drum work is exceptional. It is sometimes easy to forget that these songs are so old, but without question it is plain to see that there is a reason why Metallica is (or at least was) the most popular thrash band on the globe.
It is hard to pick a favorite track as each individual song is pure gold—and while listening it inspires head-banging and a mildly blackened eye. It helps you reminisce of your teen years—filled with fire and chock full of dreams. I never did learn how to play guitar like Kirk, and I probably never will. Still, it makes you want to pick up the axe and thrash yourself into a coma until your fingers are bleeding and blistered.
Lastly, as I spoke earlier of “Ride the Lightning”—that is a great album too, and arguably one of the most popular and inspiring metal records ever written. With that said, for me personally, “Kill ‘Em All” trumps this album hands down, and if you haven’t already listened to it—I do suggest you give it a solid spin. -Devin J. Meaney
Lineup:
James Hetfield: Vocals, rhythm guitar
Kirk Hammett: Lead guitar
Cliff Burton: Bass
Lars Ulrich: Drums
Track list:
1. Hit the Lights
2. The Four Horsemen
3. Motorbreath
4. Jump in the Fire
5. (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth
6. Whiplash
7. Phantom Lord
8. No Remorse
9. Seek & Destroy
10. Metal Militia
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