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"In spite of some defects inherent to its youth, Metallica proposes on this "Kill 'Em All" a new music, violent, aggressive, and technically very accomplished. The monster is born."
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4/5
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When you look at the institution that Metallica has now become, not only in the world of metal but also generally speaking in American popular culture, it's hard to imagine the band's troubled early years. Indeed, years before the final acknowledgement, the members of Metallica travelled in sad conditions to promote their demos on cassette, ransacking the places where they performed, and above all devouring each other. Fortunately the situation has finally been stabilized with the successive dismissals of Ron McGovney and Dave Mustaine, replaced respectively by the brilliant Cliff Burton and the guitarist Kirk Hammett.
Their first album was self-produced, as Jon Zazula created the Megaforce label especially for the occasion. The compositions were taken from Metallica's years of performing, which explains why Mustaine is credited on "The Four Horsemen". This album quickly made its mark because of its speed of execution (one of the reasons why they couldn't find a label). Most of the tracks are Thrash hits. Many tracks will become classics ("Hit The Lights", "The Four Horsemen", "Seek And Destroy", "Whiplash"...). The constructions are variable, the band being able to develop interesting structures like on "The Four Horsemen" or "Seek And Destroy", and at other times give an impression of garage metal not far from Motörhead (the song Motorbreath is a tribute to the latter). The riffs are often very dry, rough but paradoxically, the band manages to put a lot of melody in a very aggressive music.
Of course, everything is not in place yet. James Hetfield belches more than he sings, and his voice often gives an impression of immaturity not too far from what NWOBHM sometimes let us hear, and it therefore suffers a lot of echo. Kirk Hammett, if he delivers some very nice solos ("Motorbreath"), sometimes lacks precision. Similarly, Cliff Burton's bass will be much better highlighted on the following albums, even if everyone will appreciate his solo on "Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth)". The sound is vintage, rather dirty, then reinforcing the messy atmosphere of the album.
Despite a few flaws due to its background, you'll have understood that this first Metallica album is already very heavy, then auguring a great career ahead of them. The style they have almost invented, by taking the recipes of bands like Venom, but in a more extreme way, offers a new music, violent, aggressive, and technically very accomplished. A monster is born. - Official website Did you know?
The album was almost titled "Metal Up Your Ass", but following conflicts with their label and the refusal of distributors to market the album under this title, it was renamed "Kill 'Em All".
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Hit The Lights - 04:17 02. The Four Horsemen - 07:13 03. Motorbreath - 03:08 04. Jump In The Fire - 04:42 05. (Anesthesia)-Pulling Teeth - 04:15 06. Whiplash - 04:10 07. Phantom Lord - 05:02 08. No Remorse - 06:26 09. Seek & Destroy - 06:55 10. Metal Militia - 05:10
LINEUP:
Cliff Burton: Basse James Hetfield: Chant / Guitares Kirk Hammett: Guitares Lars Ulrich: Batterie
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4.3/5 (13 view(s))
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3.8/5 (18 view(s))
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