When researching thrash metal it is impossible to not come across Metallica. Metallica was groundbreaking for the thrash metal subgenre and are to this day one of the most successful heavy metal bands.
Formed in 1981 in Los Angeles by drummer Lars Ulrich and rhythm guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield, the original line-up consisted of Ulrich, Hetfield, Ron McGovney (bass) and Dave Mustaine (lead guitar).
Previously, James Hetfield and Ron McGovney had been playing in the band Leather Charm together. McGovney's time in Metallica only lasted till December 1982 when he left the band due to tensions with Ulrich and Mustaine. He was replaced by Cliff Burton.
Dave Mustaine performed with Metallica on several demo tapes and is credited for co-writing four songs on the album Kill 'Em All. However he was fired from the band before their first studio album was recorded. He founded Megadeth in 1983 and started another one of the "big four" thrash metal bands. Kirk Hammett, former guitarist of Exodus (yet another great thrash metal band) took Mustaine's place as lead guitarist.
Metallica finally released their first studio album Kill 'Em All in July 1983. It did not yet provide a breakthrough for the band, however it received good reviews by critics and is in hindsight considered one of the heaviest and fastest heavy metal albums, groundbreaking for thrash metal. Hetfield's and Hammett's style were technichally very clean and precise as they played with incredible speed. Kill 'Em All is Metallica's lowest selling studio album, yet it was defining for their career and helped them building a loyal fanbase. In 1999 it had finally sold 3 Million copies in the US and was certified 3x Platinum.
By far my favourite song on this album is The Four Horsemen, which has an insanely catchy riff. Once heard, this song is drilled into your mind.
The Four Horseman was originally written as The Mechanix by Dave Mustaine but rewritten by James Hetfield after Mustaine had left the band. Kirk Hammett added a solo to the song and Hetfield created a bridge in the middle of the song resembling Sweet Home Alabama (starts at 3:27 in the video below). The original lyrics were later released on Megadeths first album Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! titled Mechanix. Both songs are great but I think I like the Metallica version a bit more. Which one is your favourite?
From the mind of David Mustaine were also Jump in the Fire, Metal Militia and Phantom Lord, whereas Hit the Lights and Motorbreath were originally Leather Charm songs brought along by Hetfield.
Whiplash was released as the albums first single in August 1983 and some critics call this song the birthsong of thrash metal. Funnily it is the song I like least on this album.
Apart from The Four Horsemen I immensly enjoy Jump in the Fire and Seek & Destroy but in general I like the album in its entirety and there is not one song I feel the need to skip. The songs are fast and driving and technically challenging. If you take the time to sit down and really listen to how the individual instruments are played, it is really rewarding. I am usually not the greatest fan of James Hetfield's voice but on this album it works very well. So, for me Kill 'Em All will be added to my replay-stack of metal albums.