METALLICA — Kill 'em All (review)

Album · 1983 · Thrash Metal

4/5 · 2011-04-14
Stephen

If Mustaine didn't fight his way with Hetfield, there's a big chance that "Kill Em All" will featured him and Megadeth won't even exist, but fate has sealed that both needs to be rival for the next twenty years until they share the stage together again as The Big Four. Metallica's debut is an important piece of Bay Area thrash movement where musically, this is the typical American early speed metal which was formed under the influence of NWoBHM and punk.

"Hit The Lights", "Motorbreath", and "Metal Militia" are similar tracks in terms of furious speed and lightning-paced solos, you have to check your pulse to make sure you're alive if these tracks can't move you at all. "The Four Horsemen", the longest track of the album, blasted with a stampeding rhythm, like riding on the devil's beast, and top off with slaughtering solos at the end, Hammett really shines here.

"Jump In The Fire" and "Seek And Destroy" slow down the tempo and started focusing on the riffs play, those memorable licks will make you hum for days. The charming commanding voice of Hetfield led the songs as they march forward with the sweeping rhythm from Burton's bass and Ulrich's drums. "Phantom Lord" is clearly inspired by Saxon and Motorhead while "No Remorse" is like a prototype to Metallica's complex arrangement approach that's later found in "And Justice For All".

This album is mostly overlooked by their other releases especially "Puppets" or "Justice" but honestly, this album contained many high quality tracks, though judging from the maturity and complexity level, "Kill Em All" is slightly below standard, but tracks like "The Four Horsemen", "Seek And Destroy", and "Metal Militia" alone are worth the whole bucks. A brilliant start to Metallica's world conquest !

more than 2 years ago
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Certif1ed wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Oops - forgot to mention that "Whiplash" is also "inspired" by Vardis' "If I Were King". Awesome track and none the worse for it (both of 'em!)

Certif1ed wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I have to say there's nothing typical about Kill 'Em All, and it's THE most important release from that area, IMHO, if only because it's the first consolidated thrash album (not ignoring Venom, Bad Brains et al). Seek and Destroy quotes riffs from Saxon's "Princess of the Night" wholesale - Phantom Lord is directly descended from Vardis' "If I Were King". Otherwise, great review of an incredible album.

Stephen wrote:

more than 2 years ago

"bang the head that doesn't bang" bro,
remember that doctrine on the backsleeve ? :)

mjayeh wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I have to agree with your below statement, excellent album !!!

"This album is mostly overlooked by their other releases especially "Puppets" or "Justice" but honestly, this album contained many high quality tracks, though judging from the maturity and complexity level, "Kill Em All" is slightly below standard, but tracks like "The Four Horsemen", "Seek And Destroy", and "Metal Militia" alone are worth the whole bucks. A brilliant start to Metallica's world conquest ! "