This week on Retro Rock Reviews, we dive into Metallica’s groundbreaking 1983 debut, ‘Kill ‘Em All.’ Growing up as an 80s pop and rock enthusiast, my musical preferences revolved around bands like Def Leppard, Kiss, Quiet Riot, Genesis, and Billy Idol. At that time, Metallica’s sound felt far too intense and lacked the melody I craved, which kept them off my radar until their self-titled Black Album exploded onto the scene, bringing with it hits like “Enter Sandman.” Yet, I never took the time to explore their earlier works, existing firmly in a world where thrash metal was not in my wheelhouse.
Fast forward nearly 40 years, and here I am, revisiting ‘Kill ‘Em All.’ Surprisingly, I found that, by today’s standards, it is not as heavy as I expected. What else is there to say? You’ll need to watch the review to find out.
Be sure to check out the full review going live on September 12, 2024, at Noon. Your support means a lot—clicking “Like” and hitting “Subscribe” helps the site grow.
In the comments section, fans shared their thoughts. One user expressed excitement, “WATCHING LIVE!!” while another noted that ‘Kill ‘Em All’ was indeed the most ‘rock ‘n roll’ of Metallica’s initial thrash releases. A different commenter remarked on it being their favorite album, appreciating its rough edges.
I chimed in, expressing a desire to explore more of Metallica’s catalog, which led to some playful banter among fans. One fan even drew a humorous connection between two commenters’ names, calling their ship “Holedano.”
As discussions continued, another fan highlighted that while ‘Kill ‘Em All’ is indeed heavier than anything found on the Black Album, it is hard to ignore the lasting impact of tracks like “Enter Sandman.” It’s becoming increasingly obvious that a fresh listen to ‘Kill ‘Em All’ is long overdue for many, including myself.
Stay tuned for more insights and reviews as we journey through rock history together.
