HARD ROCK
FORUM
Post by Monsters of Rock on Mar 5, 2021 22:11:36 GMT 10
Metallica: Kill 'Em All
As far as debuts go, this one Kills ‘Em All!
Kill ‘Em All has subsequently become a landmark thrash metal album, first released in 1983 and while the production may sound a little dated, by modern standards, that won’t stop you rocking out to one of the greatest rhythmically infused thrash metal albums in history.
You will, however, need to track down the best sounding version of Kill ‘Em All as I picked up the 2014 Blackened vinyl reissue and was disgusted by the sonically poor reproduction. The music may be there, but the emotive energy isn’t. The music is so concealed that it sounds as though thick sheets are covering the speakers. Even if you pump the volume, the entire soundstage is lost and the elemental aspects of the recording, that are present on the TIDAL Masters stream, are sadly absent from this pressing. What I find most disappointing is that these 2014 reissues were released via Metallica’s own record label, Blackened Recordings, and I seriously question how they got the sound so wrong.
The visual presentation of the 2014 re-issue is a little more appealing, however, but the record is housed in the lousiest rice paper sleeve that could ever be used. I had a similar complaint when I reviewed …And Justice For All. Yes, they are both from the same re-issue era, but it is infuriating to love an album and a band this much and be disappointed by what they are prepared to issue to fans. Sadly, they’re not the first to allow substandard products to be released and you can guarantee they will not be the last.
As I mentioned in my review of …And Justice For All, it is a case of once bitten twice shy and while I’ve heard the 2016 vinyl reissues are a major improvement, the TIDAL Master 24/96 kHz stream is so impressive that this release may just remain my go-to edition. The Apple Music version, an Apple Digital Master, sounds just as impressive and comes in a close second to the TIDAL Master if you compare the two. It is a small difference and one that most music-lovers won’t care about, but if you’re after just a little more dynamic finesse, then most certainly check out the TIDAL Master.
Hit The Lights has that wonderful live feel to it and is the perfect song to open the album with. The revolving drum beat is spacious, and the soundstage is impressive and thoroughly enjoyable. The intensity of the thrashing guitars never lets up and Hetfield’s vocal cords must have been bleeding following this performance. Exceptional!
The Four Horsemen is one of my all-time favourite Metallica songs and that mid-song tempo shift is masterfully done with a beautiful bass track and a guitar solo that just sings. Spectacular!
Motorbreath isn’t a bad song but I’d class it as a B-side as it lacks rhythmic impact. Yes, it is a quintessential thrash song, but it feels more like a demo and less evolved than many of the other songs on Kill ‘Em All.
Jump In The Fire is another favourite of mine. Grab your air guitar if you haven’t already, you’re going to need it.
(Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth is a solid tune but one that I wouldn’t generally listen to outside of the album format. I think, in many respects, this song has had more relevance to fans following Cliff Burton’s passing. That isn’t to diminish the song itself, but if I’m to be completely honest, (Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth doesn’t add any intrinsic value to Kill ‘Em All.
Whiplash is a killer song. That drum beat and bass tracking are superbly deep and the perfect accompaniment to the higher-pitched vocal and guitar tuning.
Phantom Lord is sensational. From the very first note, you know you’re in for something special. From my perspective, Phantom Lord has a Motörhead vibe that I truly appreciate. Whether intentional or not, it works extremely well and is one of the most memorable songs on Kill ‘Em All. Plus, that mid-song slowdown is remarkably appealing, as is the guitar solo and hook. What a great song!
No Remorse is a rhythmic powerhouse. I love it! BTW: Am I the only one that hears the influence of Iron Maiden? Think Killers.
Seek & Destroy is one of the greatest thrash metal songs of all time. Enough said!
Metal Militia is a solid speed metal song to conclude the album with, but I think I would have preferred it if Seek & Destroy was the final song on the album as Metal Militia plays like a B-side by comparison and while it leaves me wanting more, it just isn’t as good as Seek & Destroy.
Overall, Kill ‘Em All is a rhythmically perfect thrash metal album that should be in every metalhead’s collection.
Subjective Sounds website
As far as debuts go, this one Kills ‘Em All!
Kill ‘Em All has subsequently become a landmark thrash metal album, first released in 1983 and while the production may sound a little dated, by modern standards, that won’t stop you rocking out to one of the greatest rhythmically infused thrash metal albums in history.
You will, however, need to track down the best sounding version of Kill ‘Em All as I picked up the 2014 Blackened vinyl reissue and was disgusted by the sonically poor reproduction. The music may be there, but the emotive energy isn’t. The music is so concealed that it sounds as though thick sheets are covering the speakers. Even if you pump the volume, the entire soundstage is lost and the elemental aspects of the recording, that are present on the TIDAL Masters stream, are sadly absent from this pressing. What I find most disappointing is that these 2014 reissues were released via Metallica’s own record label, Blackened Recordings, and I seriously question how they got the sound so wrong.
The visual presentation of the 2014 re-issue is a little more appealing, however, but the record is housed in the lousiest rice paper sleeve that could ever be used. I had a similar complaint when I reviewed …And Justice For All. Yes, they are both from the same re-issue era, but it is infuriating to love an album and a band this much and be disappointed by what they are prepared to issue to fans. Sadly, they’re not the first to allow substandard products to be released and you can guarantee they will not be the last.
As I mentioned in my review of …And Justice For All, it is a case of once bitten twice shy and while I’ve heard the 2016 vinyl reissues are a major improvement, the TIDAL Master 24/96 kHz stream is so impressive that this release may just remain my go-to edition. The Apple Music version, an Apple Digital Master, sounds just as impressive and comes in a close second to the TIDAL Master if you compare the two. It is a small difference and one that most music-lovers won’t care about, but if you’re after just a little more dynamic finesse, then most certainly check out the TIDAL Master.
Hit The Lights has that wonderful live feel to it and is the perfect song to open the album with. The revolving drum beat is spacious, and the soundstage is impressive and thoroughly enjoyable. The intensity of the thrashing guitars never lets up and Hetfield’s vocal cords must have been bleeding following this performance. Exceptional!
The Four Horsemen is one of my all-time favourite Metallica songs and that mid-song tempo shift is masterfully done with a beautiful bass track and a guitar solo that just sings. Spectacular!
Motorbreath isn’t a bad song but I’d class it as a B-side as it lacks rhythmic impact. Yes, it is a quintessential thrash song, but it feels more like a demo and less evolved than many of the other songs on Kill ‘Em All.
Jump In The Fire is another favourite of mine. Grab your air guitar if you haven’t already, you’re going to need it.
(Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth is a solid tune but one that I wouldn’t generally listen to outside of the album format. I think, in many respects, this song has had more relevance to fans following Cliff Burton’s passing. That isn’t to diminish the song itself, but if I’m to be completely honest, (Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth doesn’t add any intrinsic value to Kill ‘Em All.
Whiplash is a killer song. That drum beat and bass tracking are superbly deep and the perfect accompaniment to the higher-pitched vocal and guitar tuning.
Phantom Lord is sensational. From the very first note, you know you’re in for something special. From my perspective, Phantom Lord has a Motörhead vibe that I truly appreciate. Whether intentional or not, it works extremely well and is one of the most memorable songs on Kill ‘Em All. Plus, that mid-song slowdown is remarkably appealing, as is the guitar solo and hook. What a great song!
No Remorse is a rhythmic powerhouse. I love it! BTW: Am I the only one that hears the influence of Iron Maiden? Think Killers.
Seek & Destroy is one of the greatest thrash metal songs of all time. Enough said!
Metal Militia is a solid speed metal song to conclude the album with, but I think I would have preferred it if Seek & Destroy was the final song on the album as Metal Militia plays like a B-side by comparison and while it leaves me wanting more, it just isn’t as good as Seek & Destroy.
Overall, Kill ‘Em All is a rhythmically perfect thrash metal album that should be in every metalhead’s collection.
Subjective Sounds website
