Review Summary: Best Tracks:
Seek & Destroy
The Four Horseman
Whiplash
Track to Skip:
Phantom Lord
Believe it or not Metallica was once considered thrash metal, not only that. They were actually considered the best thrash metal band in the world. This was long before Lulu and St. Anger, long before Lars Ulrich got into a street fight with Napster and long before they quote unquote "Sold Out" with the Black album and the Load/Reload LP's. This was back when they were shredding up the scene in San Francisco and shoving Metal up everyone's asses. This was the Kill 'Em All Days!
Track Reviews:
Hit the Lights-----This is considered by most to be the first song Metallica wrote together, this was released as their demo song and was really the first song anybody heard from Metallica. From the very beginning with the fast drum roll you would almost think you were getting some generic metal music, but then......The first riff anybody ever heard from Metallica! This riff set the tone for the whole album, fast paced and unbelievable. The only problem with this song is the production value, there are a few songs on this album with bad production but this one is one of the worst. If you can get past that, and if you're a true thrash fan then you should love this song 4/5
The Four Horseman-----This is my favorite track on the album, along with Seek & Destroy this is the most complete sounding song on the album. Every instrument has it's own part and adds something. It has a gret chorus and a very tasty guitar solo and some really hardcore riffs. This one of the songs where James' young voice shines and the shrieking he could once but no longer do is a big factor. This is one of the few Metallica songs that people say were stolen from Dave Mustain after Metallica kicked him out, Mustaine later put it on his debut album with Megadeth "Killing is my Business...and Business is Good" re-titling it "The Mechanix" and changing the lyrics. If your somebody who couldn't get into Hit the Lights then this one should really get you into the Metallica mood. This is actually one of the slower paced songs on the album, but it works so well because everything is so neatly placed throughout the track 5/5
Motorbreath-----Most people will tell you that this is the weakest song on the album but I must say that I firmly disagree, I like Motorbreath far more than most people out there. It is to my knowledge one of only two songs that were souly wirtten by James Hetfield. The title of the song really explains it you feel like you're in car flying down a highway and "living in the fastlane" I really like James' vocals on this track and it's actually Metallica's shortest song, clocking in at 3:08. I don't think it's an excellent song but I don't dislike it like it seems everyone else does, it's a nice short little jam and it won't kill you to give it a listen. 3.5/5
Jump In the Fire-----This is another track that somewhat came from the mind of Dave Mustaine. This is a fan favorite among many Metallica fans, Right off it's nothing but riff and a very good one too. The guitar sounds very good in this song it has two kick ass solos and the riffs are incredible. But I feel that the vocals up until the chorus really get lost behind everything else and I blame most of that on production, It just seems like the instruments were turned up to high in inappropriate places on this track. The chorus also gets annoying at times just "Come on, Jump in the Fire" over and over again. It's definitely a badass song but it also has it's flaws. 3.5. /5
Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth)-----We all know that Cliff Burton was one of if not the best bass player to have ever lived, but before he was putting his stamp on such masterpieces as Orion and For Whom the Bell Tolls he was plucking (Bass Solo Take One). This was Metallica's first instrumental and it was completely bass (O.k with a little bit of drumming). This is by no means Metallica's best instrumental, I woudn't even call it a metallica song I would call it a Cliff Burton song. That beginning Bass riff is so melodic, you've never heard a bass played so beautifully than right there. I can see some people not being able to get into this track. Not enough people appreciate Bass Players and what they can do but this song is a good way to become a bass enthusiast. 4/5
Whiplash-----If Jump in the Fire or maybe even Anesthesia took you out of the thrash mood this song is going to violenty dropkick you right back into it. This is one of Metallica's most fast paced songs and it was really the first to say "we're Metallica and our music is going to kick the *** out of you!". The song is about headbanging and it's so appropriate because that's what your more than likely doind if your listening the Whiplash. I can never get enough of the superfast riffs throughout the song. I hate to have to use this word but, Kirk Hammett literally "rapes" his guitar on this song, this is a song where you will just feel exhausted by the end, but in the best way possible. 4.5/5
Phantom Lord-----This song in my opinion is the worst on the album, it has a very evil and creepy intro that is pretty cool but other then that it really has nothing else going for it that the rest of the songs on the album haven't mastered already. A song with generic instrument play and solos can at least make up for itself with a catchy chorus but this song even lacks that the song actually sound....well......Stupid at times. It's not a bad song it wasn't until 2003 that there were really any "bad" Metallica songs but it is probably the weakest among the bands first 3 albums. 2.5/5
No Remorse-----Most people look at Phantom Lord and Remorse as filler songs, And I've never understood why because they are two very different songs and I think No Remorse at least has something good going for it that Phantom Lord doesn't. No Remorse opens with a guitar solo! that is pretty awesome, and it has good lyrics and vocals to back it up as well. Every Metallica album has the one song that makes you feel like you're in the middle of a battlefield and you are fighting to stay alive and this song is Kill em' All's war anthem. I feel bad for this song, Unless you are a hardcore Doom fan (Good job for those of you who got that) then you never hear people yelling "No Remorse!" at concerts. This is quite the hidden jewel in my opinion, and I can never get tired of hearing James scream "War without end!" 4/5
Seek & Destory-----This is one of Metallica's most successful songs in their discography and it was the song that really got them into the big time. It has become a staple of Metallica's concerts since it was recorded and it is the most catchy song on the whole album. All the band members work so cohesively on this track and it is by far the best produced song on the album. It's almost like they knew this song would be the one. And I've gotta say that along with Four Horseman this song really completes the album. I don't know if I would call this song a masterpiece but it truely is an excellent track. It's a little more slow paced then other songs but I think that's what makes it so good, it gives you a little break and a peek at something different and great, it has amazing riffs, an awesome solo, and one of the best choruses Metallica has ever come up with. 5/5
Metal Militia-----The album ends on the same note as it begun....FAST! This is probably at the end of the day the fastest Metallica song ever. It is another song that was written by Dave Mustain and this makes me respect him a little more. While it does have it's flaws like at some times it's little all over the place, this is a truely great track. I don't like it quite as much as Whiplash or Hit the Lights but it's up there, this is the song where if your heart wasn't going 100 miles per hour this one would make sure it would. Most thrash fans will love this song whil other more casual Metal fans might find it a little too fast and not as enjoyable as Sekk & Destroy or The Four Horseman. But this is a great way to finish out one of what most consider to be the original thrash album. 4.5/5
