Product Description

Occasionally one album can be pinpointed as the turning point in a musical genre. KILL 'EM ALL is one such album and, boy, did the heavy metal genre need a transfusion of new blood. Herein trad metal was stripped of its late-70s pomposity and reduced to its base element of brutal sonic force. The rhythm section of Burton and Ulrich do a masterful job, as does rhythm guitar ace and vocalist James Hetfield, on a set that owes a debt to punk as much as to Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. The phantasmagorical allusions are still there in the lyrics, as are some long-winded guitar solos, but otherwise KILL 'EM ALL promised a creative rebirth for hard rock.

Track Listing

1. Hit The Lights
2. The Four Horsemen
3. Motorbreath
4. Jump In The Fire
5. (Anaesthesia) Pulling Teath
6. Whiplash
7. Phantom Lord
8. No Remorse
9. Seek & Destroy
10. Metal Militia

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #225 in Music
• Released on: 2007-07-02
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 51 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
While not as timeless as Ride the Lightning or Master of Puppets, Metallica's debut album--originally released in 1983--is still a fine piece of thrash metal and as good a marker as any for the debut of the genre. Fusing the rapid-fire attack of bands like Motörhead with a guitar style reminiscent of such British heavy-metal bands as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, Metallica essentially created a new kind of metal. Several of the songs from this 1983 album have since become classics, including "Seek & Destroy", "The Four Horsemen", and "Jump in the Fire". The song-writing isn't as sophisticated as on Metallica's later releases; still, it's a great listen, and essential for any heavy-metal fan. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews

Outstanding debut, hugely underrated
What strikes me is how fresh this album still sounds after over 25 years. Fast, furious and different, I was only 7 when this came out, so can only imagine just how much this must've rocked the Bay Area scene in San Francisco. It does wear it's influences on it's sleeve, but Metallica were still teenagers when they recorded it (imagine any band today managing the same feat?) and you cannot help but be swept away by the enthusiasm behind the record. It pumps out of every one of James Hetfield's riffs, Kirk's solos (yes Megadeth fans, Kirk's, Dave may still be pissed off and claim Hammet stole all his solos, but c'mon, how much can you memorise without sounding imitation - Kirk shows true original talent) and Lars' drums (although he does sound a bitty amateur on this record). The one tracks on this album that has been enshrined in time is 'Seek and Destroy' and 'Whiplash' songs that Metallica still play to this day - testament not just to their sheer attitude, but the fan's obvious love to hear them over and over and over again. Listening to htis album makes me feel like a spotty student with a biker's jacket, crap hair and cowboy boots all over again.

Wicked raw thrash metal debut from Metallica
Metallicas first album and it's breathtaking, for me this is one of their best albums alongside ride the lightning, Master Of puppets, And Justice For All & St. Anger(yes). This classic thrash metal includes 10 amazing thrash metal songs all killer and no filler. Best songs for me are The Four Horsemen,Motorbreath, Whiplash, Phantom Lord(just for the amazing mid - section), No Remorse & Seek & Desrtoy. Which is really the whole album. This is one of the metallica albums that i can listen the whole way through without skipping a song, lets be honest though i love megadeth The Four Horsemen is better then Dave's versioN(even though dave wrote it). So this is a must if you are a thrash metal fan this is an important album in metal history. If you're looking for a raw heavy fast album this is for you. If you like this check out other thrash metal bands debuts Slayer - Show No Mercy, Megadeth - Killing Is My Business & Testament - The Legacy. This one of metallicas best albums. Metallica Rock.

RAW...
I'm a fan of Metallica, but I confess that I'm not a great fan of this album. It's extremeley raw, compared to the quantum leap that the band made in the next 3 yrs, with Ride the Lightning & Master Of Puppets.
Lars Ulrich's drumming is fast & hard but it's some of the most basic, I've heard. He improved a 1000% by album no.2!
The guitar tone is a little thin and Hetfield's vocals are frankly, awlful, with lyrics only too obviously written by a 20 year old.
On the plus side, Kirk Hammett dishes up a few really good lead breaks (really like his guitar tone here) on the The Four Horsemen and Jump In The Fire, and there is some good bass from Cliff Burton on the faster tracks like Whiplash.
The Motorhead/Venom influence is very apparent and I do appreciate the cultural significance of this, in 1983 BUT for me, Metallica really begins with Ride The Lightning. In all fairness, in regards to the 'Big Four' (Metallica, Megadeth,Slayer,Anthrax), all four bands released less than great debuts, with each band recording far superior follow ups.
In my view, Slayer's Show No Mercy was the best of these debuts - and it's less than perfect, to say the least.
If you want to hear much better versions of Whiplash and Seek & Destroy, then I really recommend the Live Sh*t CD/DVD combo (feat. Jason Newsted on bass/backing vocals). Pricey but well worth it!
Motorhead have done a blistering cover of Whiplash that you can find on the Damage Case CD. Also, Germany's Destruction have covered this song and it's even faster!