Much prefer the origanal Diamond Head version, I have met Brian Tatler, the guitarist of Diamond Head, a real nice guy and still a great player, please check out his most recent line up of Diamond Head here on RU-vid, he still is writing great stuff.
I was 11 years old when Kill Em All came out. To my classmates I was a devil worshipper, to my friends a metalhead. Metallica was huge to me in the 80's and early 90's. I think is was absolutely their best music in those years. I find it amusing that people are still just now discovering how great it was, just as I did with the Artists who came before my time.
Lol I had the exact same experience as I was 11 when this came out I remember mowing lawns for the money and going to the music store and buying the cassette tape because that’s what you got back in the day
This song absolutely fascinated me back in 1982 or whatever it was. I was only eight years old and had never heard the original and had never been exposed to anything heavier than radio friendly pop music. Opened the door to Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin and Iron Maiden and Judas Priest and...
This is a cover song. Metallica didn't write it. It was originally written and recorded by a band called Diamond Head in 1979 or 1980. That said, Metallica knocked this one out of the park. Diamond Head was a huge influence on both Metallica and Megadeth
From the liner notes of Garage, Inc... "Their debut album, Lightning to the Nations, initially released in 1980 by the band with a plain white sleeve and label, remains one of the finest full-length documents of the period, a record of ferocious riff games and clever expansive arrangements, honed to crisp, stabbing effect. Lightning was an Ulrich passion and DIAMOND HEAD BECAME ONE OF THE SINGLE BIGGEST INFLUENCES ON METALLICA'S SOUND AND MODULAR RIFF-BASED STYLE OF COMPOSITION. Ulrich even roomed with Harris and Tatler during that '81 trip and sat in on their writing sessions... Diamond Head were, Ulrich bluntly declares, '50% of what ended up being Metallica. We got the whole thing about riffs and structuring, the adventure and liberties, from them.' The other 50% was Motorhead. Hetfield: 'We put the two "Heads" together and came up with something unique." - David Fricke October, 1998 Garage, Inc.
@@vanthdreadstar8788 wait, you mean people who have been fans of Metallica for 30-40 years might already know this? Hang on, let me get my shocked face... 😱 No shit, Sherlock. But you see, this is a reaction channel that is all about discovering metal and bands like Metallica for the first time. And this may come as a shock to you, but a person just getting into Metallica for the first time just might not know every piece of band trivia that a 30+ year fan would. So if you already know this, congratu-fucking-lations. You am smart. Obviously, that means this post is not meant for you. It's meant for those who may not have learned this bit of information. Because that's what this channel is all about, discovering new music and sharing it with the community. And that includes dropping knowledge about these bands/songs that some people may not know yet. Dick.
I enjoyed that reaction mightily, TnT !!! Please react to BLITZKRIEG (remastered). This song is Gravely underrated. You will not regret hearing this one! Thanks for sharing yourselves with us.
This is one of Metallica’s best and most loved cover songs. The original by Diamond Head is also worth checking out - it is a little more evil sounding imo.
i remember when this ep (creeping death, am i evil and blitzkrieg) came out... this was a wonderful time to grow up and play in an metal band... lucky me 🍀🍀🍀
Brian Tatler wrote this song from Diamond Head, saw Diamond Head in Southern California back in 2011 in front of about 75 people in a place that easily holds 2000. Had a great time having Diamond Head all to ourselves it was awesome. Santa Ana Ca.
What a reaction, hail to you guys!!! I enjoyed it really and you lady have my respect for reacting the way you did!!!! Brilliant stuff, respect and love from Iraq
Omg just discovered your channel, love this so much! Can't wait to dig into your catalogue and see what else you've checked out. Kirk Hammett = Guitar God
That whole album," Kill'em All", is a great record. Lots of awesome songs such as Motorbreath; my favorite and The Four Horsemen. But then again they're all really good.
According to Diamond Head co-founder/ guitarist Brian Tatler “I can remember wanting to write a song heavier than Black Sabbath’s Symptom Of The Universe, So when I came up with that riff, I think we all said: ‘That’s good. We should work on that.’ To match Tatler’s heavy riffing, singer Sean Harris came up with the suitably dark lyrics, which included the most extreme opening of any metal song up to then: “‘My mother was a witch’ was a great opening line,” Tatler says. “His mum probably took offence, but she’s probably forgiven him now. I’m not sure what the whole thing’s about. It just kind of works as a rock song. I suppose you could say it’s about evil in man - good and bad; the yin and yang.”
I remember back in the early to mid 90s I was old enough to finally buy Metallica albums for myself along with my peers. I remember you were the shit if you had a copy of Kill Em All on Cassette that had this and Blitzkrieg as bonus tracks. The CD version for a long time didn't have them on it and most of the cassette versions didn't either only that one run of the cassette version I believe. If you were hanging out with someone and they had it you always put those two songs on as a Metal courtesy.
I have the original release of the cd and it has Am I Evil and Blitzkrieg on it. I feel it was a bad decision to remove them, and most likely a copy right situation.
Metallica actually covered it as a B side on their "Creeping Death" single in 1984, this was after Kill Em All.. The song was included on the Kill Em All album some years later and then it was removed from the album along with the Blitzkrieg cover.. But originally it was not part of kill em all but released as a B side in 84
This was the very first song I ever heard from Metallica. The vision I got in my head of what the band looked like was more akin to the likes of Venom - maybe the song title helped on that front, cos I'd been listening to Venom just a bit before Metallica came along (Venom's debut album was in 1981 [Welcome To Hell], Metallica's was in 1983 [Kill`Em All]), so all that imagery of dark gloom & doom with leather & metal spikes/studs was pretty fresh in my head, lol. This is perhaps my favorite non-Metallica (cover) song. My fave Metallica original is Creeping Death. Both around 7-8 minutes, both epic, both heavy, and both well written/performed.
This song was actually a warmup for them while they recorded their 1st album Kill Em All. It was available as a bonus track I believe and then released on the Garage Inc cover album
Its a revenge song the character kills the 27 who burned his mother at the stake. Basically the ones who tried her as a witch if you think about the lyrics. 27 everyone was nice / make them pay the price/ also hes said his face was forgotten so apparently they didnt know he was her son and he got the sweetest revenge by surprise. Just food for thought 😁. Thanks for taking a listen awesome song
Any time to listen to Metallica so do my neighbors,and their neighbors,and their neighbors,and their neighbors,and their neighbors,and their neighbors!!!
I’d love to hear your reaction the the song And Justice for All. Very strong lyrics about the justice system and will need a lyric breakdown video as well. Love your videos!
Metallica can take any song and make it their own. If you've never heard the original, you would never know. They do music justice and respect the other bands to such a high degree by their versions
This song is a cover from another band who made it. Its off the Garage Inc album (very late in their careers) where they did a whole cover album of their favorite songs. Still one of my favs. Every cover band/song puts their own spin on it a bit
I love Metallica's version of this song, in fact, this is the song that got me hooked on them over 30 years ago. I love seeing new listeners enjoy the song that started my journey with Metallica. Please consider The Four Horseman from the same album. (Or maybe Creeping Death, kinda tossed).
One of my first songs I've ever heard from Metallica! That's when I knew they were my favorite band! There's no denying that James hetfield is one of the best metal singers ever!
I loved this reaction , 1st I have seen for Am I Evil ( my fav all time cover song by Metallica , Whiskey In The Jar is a very close second ) I would love to see you guys reaction to Metallica - No Remorse , IMO the most under-rated song in Metallica's vast catalog .
Early Metallica was heavily influenced by the songwriting style of Diamond Head and the speed of Motorhead. James used to say "We put our two 'Heads together and made our own thing." Before they wrote their own material they used to do shows that were basically all Diamond Head and Motorhead covers, but since the two bands weren't well known in the US at the time they just played them without an introduction and people assumed the songs were original. According to an interview one of their first sound men was a British gent who came up to them after a show and said, sarcastically, "You boys ever heard of a band called Diamond Head?" The guy had been Diamond Head's sound man in England back in the late 1970's. They also played a 50th birthday party for Lemmy of Motorhead back in 1995 dressed as Lemmy and played Motorhead songs with Jason singing and playing bass.
I agree with both of you, I can easily get lost in any Metallica music and ignore the lyrical content, but it's true that in this song it's not very abstract lol. As said in other comments though, those are not Metallica lyrics, it's the band Diamond Head. Great reaction you guys!
If you like this you should check out Diamond Head’s Am I Evil 1980 from Lightning to the Nations. Always amazes me the amount of people who don’t know Last Caress is a Misfits classic. Diamond Head criminally underrated.
Im happy you listened to the 1983 version and not the live version. The live version is good but they only play half of the song. One time I've seen them play it in its full glory. It was on the once good MTV live garage Inc in newyork in 1998. That show is something the Mrs. And you should watch in full. It's crushing and they are on fire that night back when Metallica was on top of their game.
You should react to Venom. They are basically the creators of thrash metal, death metal, and black metal. I would suggest the songs dont burn the witch or witching hour. they probably influenced slayer the most out of the big four. Tom Araya even stole his headbanging style from the vocalist (and bass player) chronos.Also watch the video for witching hour so you can see what they look like and how they performed. I'm not sure if the video is from a live show or not but I think it's a rerecording of the album version cause it sounds better quality than on the album but I still dont think its live
2:36... Mufasa!!!! Ooooh say it again! Lol. I love this! Music is the greatest gift we've been given, no matter the style. Don't listen to the nit picking comments about solo when there wasn't a solo... who cares
You know he loved his mother because he sought revenge against those who killed her, as described in the second stanza: "As I watched my mother die, I lost my head. Revenge now I sought, to break with my bread. Taking no chances, you come with me. I'll split you to the bone, help set you free."
This isn't a Metallica request but it's a request for a band called Flotsam and Jetsam. You guys did a cool review of the current album but this one is the real deal. The band with Ed Carlson, Michael Gilbert, Kelly David Smith on drums Eric A.K. Knutson vocals and Jason Newsted on bass is killer. The album is their best one and it's their first one together. Its what got Newsted the gig for Metallica. But the song Hammerhead is crushing 1980s Thrash at its finest. Newsted really delivers and he was the leader of that band and wrote the music and lyrics. I still have my original CD of it with the artwork and I blast it when i need a nice dose of old-school. The whole album is a ripper. The bass playing Newsted does is his best work I think.
Megadeth - Good Mourning/Black Friday , this is definitely the longest requested song on your channel T , pour yourself a few drinks then react to it please.....
Agree with what Tasha is saying but at the same time it's a reveage quest song to hunt down and kill the people who burned his mom. So at some level he must love his mother to go out and kill his mother's killers. Btw surprised by the lyrics? Sony sound like Metallica does it. That's cause this is a cover song lol. Original done by Diamond Head
I like both versions. But I love what Kirk does with the solo. Not to take anything away from Diamond Head but the level of musicianship between Diamond Head and Metallica are worlds apart, even in the mid 80's. Kirk pays homage to Diamond Head by basically playing the same solo but it's more fleshed out. It's almost like the solo in the original was a rough draft and Kirk's solo is the finished product.
Not 100% certain on this, but I remember reading years ago that the original by Diamond Head was about the son of a woman who was burned at the stake for being a witch back when he was a young boy. When he grows up, he unleashes hell on the village that killed her, slaughtering everyone in revenge.
You should do the Big 4 version where 4 of the thrash metal pioneer bands played it together. The original by Diamond ahead is also cool. If you are the Metallica train right now, you should check out stuff from the first S&M show or the two videos they released for the S&M2 show and/or the Ronnie James Dio Medley