It can't be understated how game-changing this album was when it came out. This blew everyone's mind and completely changed the face of metal going forward.
It was the first cassette I ever bought, I was 11 years old :D At that time all I wanted to do while listening to it was destroy hahaha, pure power and adrenaline :D
Yeah the riffs are mind-blowing on their own, but when the solos kick in, man! That mid-high end aggression is really unique and made them sound impressive for being pentatonics only.
@@lsu1992 Same age here. But I didn't really know Metallica til I happened to see them in 1989. It was gnarly but I was so inexperienced it was scary. Especially during Creeping Death (DIE...DIE...DIE lol). But I was already into Bad Brains, DK, and I think D.R.I. So by the end of 1990 I was versed in thrash and indie rock and punk
James (lead singer) was aggressive and angry when he was younger due to his childhood. That’s why a lot of the lyrics are kind of “scary” and aggressive but damn it sounds so good
Love your personality, one of my favorite reactors on here! Random rec but you should listen to Unwound - Leaves Turn Inside You, such a mindblowing album. Keep up the great videos!
Jump In The Fire has always been my favorite track from Kill 'Em All. I believe it's one that Dave Mustaine is credited as writing. The main riff has such a nice groove, and Kirk Hammett's solos are blazing! Can't wait for your reaction to Master Of Puppets, Kira!
Jump in the Fire was a song Dave had from his previous band, Panic. Lars liked it because he thought it sounded like Iron Maiden, and they had radio hits at the time. At least that's how Lars told the story.
Welcome to the Metal Militia, Kira. Probably the best debut album by any band ever, and some of the greatest music since the cavemen started banging rocks together at the dawn of the human race.
@@nonrevnosnibormetalbeerrev6251 Scream Bloody Gore, Focus, Morbid Tales, Altars Of Madness, Black Sabbath, Korn are better/on the same level as Kill Em All, its a really good debut but these ones should get mentioned as much as Metallica's debut.
'Hit the lights' was the first song James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich recorded as a demo in 1981... at the time, James was a huge Motely Crue fan, and Lars hated them (he was more into European metal like Motorhead, Iron Maiden...) But Motley Crue was this raw, chunky band in 1981 w/ their debut album 'Too fast for love'... and that made it OK for James to play music, even when he was still learning to play guitar. At the time, Ron McGovney played bass for them and they had a local guitarist Lloyd Grant play the lead... When Dave Mustaine (lead guitar) joined in 1982, they re-recorded 'Hit the lights' as a demo and it sounded better... They eventually wrote their first demo "No life til leather" in '82 and played their first shows as Metallica in the L.A. scene. James and Dave apparently wrote Metallica's early songs - Dave wrote a track called 'Mechanix'... and that was later re-written as 'The Four Horsemen'... as well as the music for 'Jump in the fire'... 'Phantom Lord'... 'Metal Militia'... while James wrote 'Motorbreath'... 'Seek & Destroy'... 'Whiplash'... The band jammed together and solidified the song arrangements, so Lars took credit for the songs. Metallica would often play covers of Diamond Head and Budgie, cos they were easier to play live than Iron Maiden or Judas Priest. However, it was apparent after a year that bassist Ron McGovney wasn't cutting it in Metallica w/ their crazy antics... Lars asked around for a new bassist and Brian Slagel of Metal Blade Records told them to see a band in San Francisco called Trauma. After seeing Cliff Burton (bass) w/ Trauma, they knew that he would be great in Metallica... But Cliff would accept the spot in Metallica only if the band relocated to San Francisco. So, James, Lars and Dave left L.A. for San Francisco in early 1983 and Burton joined Metallica officially. His musical knowledge proved invaluable to both James and Dave, who learned from the schooled musician. Meanwhile, in New York City, a couple running a metal flea market (Jon and Marsha Zazula) were starting an indie record label Megaforce Records and heard Metallica's demos... They contacted the band in 1983 to travel to NYC to play shows and record an album there. Metallica took a road trip from California to New York, but Dave Mustaine's drug abuse and violent behavior was wearing the band out... James and Lars decided to fire Dave once they got to NYC and were listening to demo tapes for potential replacements... Exodus lead guitarist Kirk Hammett caught their ear and once they had arrived in NYC, they told Jon Zazula what they were planning... They contacted Kirk Hammett in San Francisco and he agreed to fly to NYC to audition. In the meantime, they met the band Anthrax, who set up Metallica in a rehearsal space in Queens... they rehearsed w/ Dave for a while and then on the day Kirk Hammett was arriving, Dave Mustaine was fired and given a Greyhound bus ticket back to California. Dave would form Megadeth in L.A. by the end of 1983. Kirk Hammett rehearsed w/ Metallica and fit in right away. Megaforce Records had signed another New York band called Manowar, and they had recorded their 2nd album 'Into Glory Ride' in 1983... they recommended the same Rochester studio where they had recorded 'Into Glory Ride'... James, Lars and Cliff played most of the tracks on "Kill 'em all" and Kirk Hammett had to learn Dave Mustaine's solos and played them in the studio. The album was originally titled "Metal up your @$$"... but Megaforce could not find a distributor w/ that title (or album cover), so it was re-titled "Kill 'em all" and released in late 1983, just as Metallica played their first US tour supporting the British metal band Raven, who were also signed by Megaforce Records. Kirk Hammett said he never actually got an offer to join Metallica... he just showed up, rehearsed, played leads in the studio and thought to himself, "Well, I guess I'm in the band..." Kirk recalled being floored by the rough mixes of "Kill 'em all" in the studio... He and Cliff Burton were sent back on a Greyhound bus to California after the recording sessions, and he thought, "Wow, what's the second Metallica album going to sound like? Wow, what's the THIRD Metallica album going to sound like?" Initial response to "Kill 'em all" was not huge, but it got fanfare in Europe and sales were decent for an indie release, which prompted a European label Music For Nations to sign Metallica in 1984 and finance the recording of what became their 2nd album 'Ride the Lightning'.
I really wish you'd react to the band where Kirk Hammett came from right before joining Metallica, EXODUS.... their album "Bonded By Blood" is a must for anyone getting into thrash metal.... you're welcome 🤗
Great stuff! I was ten in ‘83 and was totally blown away by Metal Militia! Saw them three years later in Stockholm. That was Cliff’s last performance unfortunately 😢 But man were they good!!!
Looking back this was a concept album from beginning to end, on how Metallica was going to take over the heavy metal industry and become the biggest metal band of all time!!
Early speed and thrash metal sound just like such extremal rockabilly, and that is why I love it! Just taste Megadeth's debut or album 'Reign Of Fear' from 1986 by german band Rage, or 'Feel The Fire' from 1985 by new-yorkers Overkill.
I had the cassette with their cover of "Am I Evil?" as the last song. It's a much better last song than "Metal Militia", and the album never seems complete without it, to me.
Phantom Lord, No Remorse, Seek And Destroy are still my favorite 3 song run from Metallica. No Remorse is a favorite overall. Ride The Lightning probably sounds better, but I just like more songs on the debut.
Imaging being 18 years old in Denmark listening to this album……this new thrashy Music tore us apart….then realizing that a dane was sitting behind the drums…..but also realizing that this band could be so influential……and boy, they did get so influential almost impossible to comprehend 🔥🔥🔥🤘🤘🤘….the incredible guitar solos are delivered by legendary Kirk “The Ripper” Hammett. Btw; today Metallica begins their 2 years World Tour playing two different set lists in every city the visit…..42 years of dominating the global music business 🔥🔥🔥🤘🤘🤘
The only problem with your statement about Hammett doing the solos is he was just copying Mustaine's solos. He joined the band just as they went into the studio all the solos were already written. He may have added a flair here or there but the solos were already done. That is why the solos on this album sound like none of the other albums in their structure.Dave didn't have use the wah do do a decent solo.
@@XA351GT 😂 you’re wrong on so many levels, but ok. No doubt Dave is the better TECHNICAL guitarist, but Kirk’s solos (at least during the first five albums or so) are so much more memorable and melodic. Dave has superior technique but not much soul in his playing.
They made this one in a rinkydink studio with no proper conditions, and they still came out with amazing songs and a great album, although it is a bit one note. What is perhaps even more incredible is how much more mature and varied the next album is, Ride the Lightning, which came out so shortly after. RtL, Kill em All and Master are all incredible in their own way
I found Metallica when I bought this album by chance in 85. I remember how many people's minds were blown when I would play it either in the car or at a party. They either loved or hated it....most hated it. Nothing better than enjoying music that the mob doesn't approve of.
I was 12 in 1983 and this album blew my mind. At that time, I was pretty much listening to Iron Maiden, Scorpions and AC/DC, then I bought this strange album showing a bloody hammer on its cover...
Only two bands were able to totally change the game with their debut albums: *Black Sabbath: first record. and *Metallica: Kill 'em all. Nothing was the same after the first Black Sabbath album, and also absolutely nothing was the same after the first Metallica album💥💣💥💣🔥😈
Same here I like the faster stuff it channels that early Metallica spirit of raw emotion and drive. Also like Blackened from Justice very much for same reasons but theres just so much good stuff on the albums that its hard to rank.
I was 18 in 1989 and i saw Metallica with Cult opening. it was something i still havnt forgot and easily get chills when i hear certain songs whenever. HIT THE LIGHTS
Hi Australia, you have to imagine the shock at the time when this record was released, there was an extreme side, even punk in the approach of their tracks. At the beginning of the 80's, among the fastest bands, there were Venom or Motorhead, but Metallica explodes everything on its way, moreover 40 years later, I still haven't recovered from it 😄
I was 15 when I first heard Metallica, circa 1984. It was Fight With Fire. So, when I went to buy RTL, I also picked up Kill Em All. Those two albums rarely left my turntable (yes, vinyl LPs) for around six months or so afterwards.
Check out the four horsemen live in San Diego from the binge and purge box set. Lars changes drumkits in the middle of the song without missing a beat and they were on opposite sides of the stage.
And arrives on the other drum kit at perfect time where the other three horsemen are waiting for him… my favorite moment of the whole Metallica’s history
25:05 - If Master of Puppets album doesnt “level you up”, then nothing will. I think when you listen to that album, it will pull you into a greater appreciation and understanding of faster metal. The compositions on that album are amazing. Look forward to it.
Sometimes i have to pinch myself as to how lucky that i was born in 1970 , 1983 i was in High School through my teens , Drummer in a heavy metal Band. Such an epic time for Heavy Metal, Ozzy, Metallica WASP Motley, Saxon, AC/DC, Maiden , Anthrax, Dio, Judas Priest, Motorhead, Venom, Twisted, KISS. .............. The List Goes on . I saw most of them & Tickets was about £20 back then. Keep Rocking Kira..
Check out Diamond Head - Lightning to the Nations. That album, along with Motorhead, pretty much launched/inspired the thrash movement of bands like Metallica.
My older brother turned me on to Metallica via a dubbed tape in '82. Kill 'em all was something different for sure--not a fan of all they've done, but this is still one of my favorites
I love 🖤 how much of a metal-head you've become Kira! 🤘🏼 Kill Em All is my all time favorite Metallica albums. Somedays it's a tie between this and ...And Justice For All. I love watching these reactions of yours. Reminds me of when me and my friends used to sit in my room and listen to our favorite CD's all the way through. Can't wait for your next album reaction 😁 I hope one day you'll react to Exodus. Either Impact is Imminent or their Fabulous Disaster album.
I first heard metallica when I was 9 in 1994. I got a stereo and the black album for my birthday...I quickly got their 1st 4 albums (not in order) with my allowance. This one was my into to old school. I always think it's nice how parents who grew up with black sabbath instead of the beatles were bound to be cool with a son (me) turning into a full blown metal head by 15 or so :) 38 and still can't get enough. If you wanna hear another ground breaking band try mercyful fate.
I love the moment when she said that she isn't used to fast guitar and drums and then proceeds to jam to a song with fast guitar and drums! I'm waiting for the master of puppets reaction!
Also....I really enjoy these reaction channels because I STILL get this excited about music. It's been my profession, more or less, for forty years now and I'm still as excited as I was at 17.
Motorbreath was the first track I fell in love with as I listend to that album as my first metal album when I was 13 and it still is the soundtrack of my life. That song is just outstanding on that record for me. Next would be whiphlash, though motorhead covered it and made it their own basically.
Cuando tenía 8 años un amigo de mi papá me dejó los vinilos de Kill em all y Powerslave y me dijo 'es hora de que conozcas lo que es la música' ahora voy a cumplir 34 y sigo sangrando puro metal 🤘🏻🔥 este es uno de los discos de mi vida!
you should check out the album "welcome to sky valley" by Kyuss. The bassist of the album scott reeder plays his bass with the strings upsidedown, like you, he also was considert as new bassist for metallica after jason left.
When Metallica came to my hometown with W.A.S.P. after Metallica performed, I walk the hell out of the show when wasp came on....mind blown🤯🤯🤯 by Metallica....it was my first time hearing them... life changing....my 13 year old self was all the better for it 🤘🤘🤘....
My older brother gets it at Christmas 1983. Lovely Picture: the Album under the Xmas Tree. Like it very much. I topped it 1987 with Big Blacks second Album AS my Gift. Love my Parents.😊
When this album came out I was a senior in high school in Seattle WA. My school district had a radio program and part of it was an after school radio show for everybody. We played "district approved" music and read news and all that student DJ stuff. I signed up for the last shift on Friday because it came with a KEY TO THE STATION and we had to lock up at 8pm.....as you might imagine, my 17-yr-old brain immediately figured out that I could smoke pot for two hours in the parking lot and then fire the station back up. We could be heard all over Seattle so I'd spin from about 10pm to 2 or 3 in the morning. Black Flag, local bands, THIS, and then weird synth-pop and just whatever we couldn't play during the day. This remains my favorite Metallica album, though. Nobody ever seemed to catch on and I have some fond memories of being the only interesting thing on the Seattle airwaves that year.
If you loved this, check out: ‘Bonded by Blood’ by Exodus. I guarantee you will enjoy it immensely. That album has a legendary status, and rightly so. Paul Baloff for ever!!
Dave Mustaine from Megadeth are credited for Phantom Lord, Metal Militia and Jump In The Fire. Wrote the song called The Mechanix. Metallica changed it to The Four Horsemen after they fired him. His version are on the debut album by Megadeth. Faster and more raw sounding
listening to the album on CD you hear all the songs in a single linear listing, but back when this album was released, it was on cassette with a Side A and a Side B, song order was often arranged with that format in mind, many albums had a much "stronger" Side A but songs were also organized so each side had a good strong opening, for a more realistic sense of what the album was like when released, consider listening to the songs in that manner, it might give a bit more insight into the arrangement of the songs
Apparently you have the album that doesnt have Am I Evil.... a Diamondhead cover. Now youre ready for Master of Puppets pure raw energy. Best album in my opinion 🤘😎🤘
i LOOOOOVE this album, funny fact about the vocals James Hetfield said in a documentary believe its the making of Kill ´Em all 25 anniversary that he did the recording of the vocals with a mayor hangover, the last you miss pronounce it si Metal Militia they google translate press the little microphone where you can listen to how the would should be spoken :)
You love debut albums so “Appetite for Destruction” by Guns N’ Roses is a good one to check. Ranked as one of the best debut albums of all time! Hard Rock at his peak!
Being the same age as James Hetfield, I was 20 when this dropped. All I can say is it was very exciting. Life-changing, really. Can't help but notice my more detailed replies are not really appreciated here, so I'll just leave it at that.
The intro riff to seek and destroy was my favorite of all growing up. Somewhere around 16-17 years old I finally learned to play it on guitar. It was epic for me at the time.