Music : Metal Massacre, Vol. 1

Rating: - It all started here (and I'm talking about more than just Metallica)

While I totally understand that the first Metal Massacre compilation is most noteworthy for featuring the earliest recorded work by Metallica, I'm a bit surprised that no one has mentioned the album's role in launching another heavy metal institution - namely Metal Blade Records.

Put together on a shoestring budget, Metal Massacre I was for the emerging West Coast metal scene what Metal for Muthas, Vol. 1 was for the NWOBHM scene, an early showcase of a handful of dedicated and talented bands that were changing the musical landscape. Now you can debate the lasting impact of bands like Pandemonium and Avatar, but the West Coast scene had a huge impact on the overall heavy metal sound, and bands like Malice, Black `n Blue, and of course Metallica were at the forefront of that scene. Metallica, who contributed a raw early version of Hit the Lights to Metal Massacre I, was obviously the major success story of this album, but Black `n Blue, Cirith Ungol, Bitch, and Malice all had respectable careers spanning multiple albums.

More than just the launching pad of Metallica's legendary career, Metal Massacre I was an early snapshot of a chaotic and energetic time in the history of heavy metal. The success of this compilation led to the release of further Metal Massacre albums and the eventual launch of Metal Blade Records, which is why it deserves to be considered a metal milestone, not just a footnote in the Metallica story.

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Rating: - SECOND earliest official release of Metallica
The only reason I own this is for the early recording of the Metallica track 'Hit The Lights' which personally I find alot more enjoyable than the raw, dusty album version with a prepubescent Hetfield screeching down the microphone. Here we hear him noticably younger and hadnt yet adapted his raw, growling vocals that he was once heralded for. Quite an enjoyable listen indeed.

Just to clarify (for the confused) this IS the re-released version of Metal Masscre Vol. 1 and DOES feature Dave Mustaine (on lead guitar only).

The 'first version' of the track was recorded and pressed in 1981 and originally featured session guitarist (Lloyd Grant) however this has since then been discontinued and would be VERY hard to obtain.

The 'second version' was recorded during a session in 1982 along with 3 other tracks (Mechanix, Jump In The Fire, Motorbreath - general interest) This was the version that was then pressed onto Metal Masscre Vol. 1 and is also the version you see here. Still very collectable, still very enjoyable. Glad I could clear that up.

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Rating: - Straightening of Facts
Just to clear up some of the wild info here about the Metallica "Hit the Lights" track - James did sing on this song, but the vocal delivery is almost a mimic of Sean Harris' style, as the primary influence of the band was Diamond Head. Getting the spot on the record was the catalyst for Metallica, as Lars was able to bait James into starting a band with him with the slot Lars's friend Brian Slagel (Metal Blade mastermind) had saved.

Lead guitars are not performed by Dave Mustaine, but instead by session player Lloyd Grant.

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Rating: - good start for many early thrashers
this is a good collection of early 80's speed metal. The track of interest is, of course, metallica's, as they're the only band in the album to achieve any real commercial success. Their track, an earlier mix than appeared on their debut album kill em all, did feature dave mustaine on lead guitar (its also rumoured that he actually was on some songs off kill em) , but not vocals (as some reviewers incorrectly stated). Though this collection is rough around the edges, it provides a sample of metallica, and the entire genre of thrash metal, in its infancy.

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Rating: - Excellent early 80's metal
Well the reviews here state a lot of good things about the disk I won't even bother to try and repeat here. The best thing to note is that about half of these bands were signed, and had reasonably good career's. The quality is demoish, but the material is first rate. 'Hit The Lights' is not the original from the album (which made me interested in metal in the first place), but a newer version (??). Dave Mustaine of Megadeth was singer at this time, so it is one of those must haves for early metallica/megadeth freaks.

Metal up your Ass...