Review Summary: Thrash 101: A primer in speed metal and savagery.
KILL 'EM ALL paved the way for an entire generation of thrash & speed metal bands to follow. While admittedly inspired by their New Wave of British Heavy Metal heroes, Metallica's approach was far more savage and fueled by undiluted rage and sheer adrenaline. Metallica’s newly honed variation on heavy metal required a more skilled picking technique to play these steroid injected riffs at such previously unthinkable tempos. Their aural assault left many a listener wondering if they'd just been run over by a musical bulldozer. There was nothing else quite like it at the time.
The album opener “Hit The Lights” is a frantic and razor sharp declaration of purpose that takes no prisoners. “The Four Horseman” begins with a fast shuffling riff that alternates with guitar riffs that spew forth like machine gun blasts. Many of these guitar riffs were written around the drums and followed them very closely, if not always exactly.
One of the faster numbers is the speedy “Motorbreath” which clocks in at 180 beats per minute. Despite these insane tempos, Hammett does his best to cram his often quadrupled picked pentatonic licks into these tight spaces. Kirk's guitar prowess is most evident on the catchy highlight “Jump In The Fire”.
The late Cliff Burton’s prodigious bass playing is showcased on the surprising melodic “Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth)”, which contains a number of classically inspired arpeggios before breaking to a full bore hard blues solo with the drums. His tone is drenched in distortion and he accents some phrases with a wah pedal. Upon first hearing this, you may not even realize it’s a bass guitar!
The anthemic “Whiplash” closes what was once known as side A. It lyrically captures the feeling of attending a speed metal show. “Bang your head against the stage like you never did before” / “Make it ring, make it bleed, make it really sore.” Ah, I remember these days so well. My tinnitus will never let me forget them either.
“Phantom Lord” is another great manic thrasher, while the slightly slower “No Remorse” is chock full of great guitar riffs, including even a brief nod to Iron Maiden. “Seek & Destroy” is a perennial favorite that has covered by countless garage bands since. It also works well as a crowd participation number. The album ends appropriately with the manic riffing of “Metal Militia”.
It’s important to note that 4 songs on the album were co-written with original band founder and lead guitarist Dave Mustaine (now of Megadeth) who was dismissed prior to the recording of this album. He was replaced by Kirk Hammett (ex-Exodus) who renders Dave's original guitar solos into slightly more coherent and cleanly picked phrases.
While KILL 'EM ALL is more primal and less dynamic than the albums that followed, it is also arguably more uncompromising and merciless. This is a perfect starting point for anyone to begin exploring the thrash genre.
