Metallica - Kill 'Em All (Megaforce Records)
This album begins with a lightning fast picked E-Tuned guitars (Hetfield &
Hammett) which sets the pace for what the CD is going to be like. Well in
this era of Heavy Metal Metallica was considered not only to be Thrash Metal
but Speed Metal as well. Finely produced by Paul Curcio and Jon Zazula this
entire release is something easy to get into if you're a fan of these genres
of music. Metallica circa 1983-1988 I'd say put out uncompromising Metal
which during the 80's was considered pretty extreme.
As to what road they went during the 90's to present day does not reflect
anything at all like "Kill 'Em All". . It was blatantly obvious with the
release of "The Black Album" they simply abdicated their Thrash Metal roots
and completely sold out. But focusing on "Kill 'Em All" the rhythms and
leads are innovative, Hammett simply shredding on lead and Cliff Burton
(RIP) puts out his talent on bass with "Anesthesia-Pulling Teeth".
The lyrical aspect of this release has nothing really to do with Satanism
just filled however with hatred towards humanity without any compromise in
that respect. Hetfields vocals go well with the music especially the
high-end screams!!! I don't consider this release their best of the 80's I'd
say "Ride The Lightning", "Master Of Puppets" and ". . And Justice For All"
were their absolute best work.
There really aren't many Thrash Acts during the 80's that were more
innovative in songwriting quality than Metallica. Although I do consider
Slayer, Exodus, and Anthrax were also some damn good Thrash bands as well.
But Metallica reigned superior over these other bands. Musically "Kill 'Em
All" has guitar riffs that are simply unique, awesome, distorted as all hell
and memorable tracks from beginning till the end of the album.
I would consider "Kill 'Em All" to be one of my most played out records that
I've heard but I still am not sick of these songs. It's a shame that a band
that displayed so much potential which is evident on this release all the
way up till ". . And Justice For All". I think that if Cliff Burton was
still around they probably wouldn't have taken their Thrash roots away and
become a total waste musically. Maybe some would argue this but I believe
that he would've at least kept them within their Thrash Metal roots.
"Jump In The Fire" and "Am I Evil" were the only 2 tracks that were more or
less demonic. Other than those the lyrical content consisted (like I
mentioned previously) to be more about the Thrash Metal scene i.e.
"Whiplash", "Hit The Lights", "No Remorse" and "Seek And Destroy". My
personal favorite tracks are: "Hit The Lights", "Seek And Destroy" and their
cover of Diamond Head's "Am I Evil".
Metallica used to scoff at the idea of making videos. . However, after "One"
came out they began to make more music videos to make more money obviously.
That's why I'm reiterating the point that if Cliff was still around they
wouldn't have become "Metallisux" as coined by most old fans of the group.
But "Kill 'Em All" is pretty much everything good that I look for in a
Thrash Metal release. If you don't have it already in your archives then I
urge you to pick it up ASAP!!!
Rating: 8.5/10.