Metallica- Kill 'Em All

Before the release of Kill 'Em All, Metallica had already gone through their share of trials and tribulations. With the departure of guitarist Dave Mustaine, the band was left in need of a new lead for the band. They found just that in ex Exodus shredder Kirk Hammet. And this album is very much about him as much as anything else. With all the issues that people have with Mustaine writing a lot of the material for the album, and Hammet playing a bum note on Seek & Destroy, people forget how great Metallica and Hammet were on this recording.

Right after you put the album on, you notice a couple of things. The production is kinda tinny, and the music is fast and furious. Hit The Lights is one of the best opening tracks of all time. It dives headfirst into lightning fast riffing, and glorious shred solos. The second major flaw with album aside from the production is evidenced immediately also; and that is that Hetfield who we all know and love as the rough growler of a vocalist he would once be sounds like he's been inhaling helium before each song.

The album continues to move along at a very nice clip. None of the songs are too long which is nice, since Metallica had not developed their signature advanced compositional skills yet (even though they are shown in an embryonic state to an extent on The Four Horsemen and Phantom Lord). The albums longest track is probably it's best. The Four Horsemen introduces you to a fantastic riff, great atmosphere, and one of the best outros ever in metal. The way in which Hammet continually out does himself with the progressively higher pitched and faster runs is truly one of the most energetic things I've ever had the pleasure of listening to.

The whole album is pretty much in the same vein as the first two tracks. Fast and furious, with excellent musicianship, relatively poor production, and too high pitched vocals. The album provides us with some very solid Metallica classics such as Hit The Lights, The Four Horsemen, Jump In The Fire, Whiplash, Seek & Destroy, and of course, Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth).

Anesthesia provides us with really the first great example of the master of bass, Cliff Burton. While his bass parts are mixed a little low this song allows him to shine through the way he really deserved to. The way in which he shreds the bass is jaw dropping. This track in unto itself is reason enough to buy this album. Instantly upon hearing Anesthesia, any disbeliever in Burton's ability should be converted. And those who aren't must not have souls.

Kill 'Em All is an iconic piece of thrash history. While it is very much a flawed speed metal album, it laid down the blueprint for Metallica's conquest of the genre in the years to come. Any self respecting metal head should own a copy of this album.

Best track: The Four Horsemen

Worst Track: Motorbreath

4 1/2 stars out of 5.