Posted on 07/25/2019 1:45:11 PM PDT by Mariner
“Bang that head that doesn’t bang.” – R. Burch ‘83
Thus reads the quote on the back sleeve of Metallica’s debut album Kill ‘Em All, which was released on July 25th, 1983. It stands as one of the earliest documents of thrash metal, a pivotal album that explored artistic extremes and set the foundational archetypes of thrash as a sound, image, and lifestyle. At a time in heavy music when record labels were starting to embrace super-produced glam-metal bands that would go on to dominate radio and MTV for the remainder of the decade, Metallica literally said: “Metal up your ass.”
Ironically, that was meant to be the original title for the album, but the label execs decided it was too profane for the sensitive tastes of American consumers and suggested the band change it. So Metallica picked the arguably more aggressive title of Kill ‘Em All, ostensibly in reference to those very consumers. That is metal. And there are so many moments on the album that warrant that remark. You listen to it and you throw up the horns reflexively at various moments: the chorus of “Jump in the Fire”, the intro chugs on “No Remorse”, the opening riff of “Seek & Destroy” — just to name a few.
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
This album was a breath of fresh air.
Some tunes from the debut album still play well.
Especially from one of the few bands that can still deliver LIVE without recordings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPnicm3iYV8
The fans have not forgotten that breath of fresh air...worldwide this band sells out weeks in advance. And still makes new music as good or better than the old.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y_x8UbU2h8
Says who? So AC/DC, Megadeth, and Iron Maiden didn't suit your taste? The only thing Metallica was guilty of was being ahead of its time. Their album was a fish out of water and didn't fit in the 80s rock scene.
Not saying that it sucked or anything, I'm a huge Metallica fan. Just saying that glam rock, punk, and other elements of rock dominated.
I’m on my phone. Otherwise I’d post an image.
Of Beavis and Butthead.
When one thinks of Metallica, one thinks of these guys.
Dave Mustaine was the only Metallica guitarist who ever had the chops to play real thrash metal.
“So AC/DC, Megadeth, and Iron Maiden didn’t suit your taste? “
Not really, but your point is taken.
Agreed.
One of my sons has a Metallica cover band. I have seen them a few times when they were local and they are very good. Unfortunately they don’t play close to us too often. I also worked security at Giants stadium for A Metallica concert. Great show but a tough work night.
In a 1988 interview with Sounds journalist Roy Wilkinson, Mustaine spoke against illegal immigration, and stated that he would "build a great wall along the Mexican border and not let anybody in ..." if he were President of the United States.
Caught “Seek and Destroy” on the radio yesterday driving home from eastern Montana. It’s definitely a watch your speed limit song :o).
“Not saying that it sucked or anything, I’m a huge Metallica fan. Just saying that glam rock, punk, and other elements of rock dominated.”
I’m somewhat in agreement. The very first tape I bought with my own money was GNR’s appetite for destruction. My older brother used to kick my ass when he caught me playing his And Justice For All album..
Cough... Motorhead.... Cough
What’s always interesting to me about Metallica is their willingness to reinvent. I haven’t always agreed with their reinventions but it’s great that they keep changing. Kill Em All is really their only “pure” thrash album. With Lightning they started adding, oddly enough, a lot of prog rock elements, getting longer and more complex while still thrashing away. Then of course they ejected the prog and went pop/thrash for the black album. then they went Nu. Now they’re thrash again, but with some different layers. Prog/ thrash is my favorite era of them, but there’s always something there.
Solo Ozzy was some of my go to 80’s cruising music along with Metallica and Megadeth. Those were the days. The 80’s did indeed rock.
Foreigner, Van Halen, The Scorpions and Judas Priest were bad good, too.
Their first 4 albums were incredible, then they went to shit on the Black Album and never were able to get it back.
Contrast this with AC/DC and their "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy who have been putting out the same album since 1980.
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