LINE-UPS
James Hetfield
(vocals/guitar)
Dave Mustaine (guitar)
Cliff Burton (bass)
Lars Ulrich (drums) |
James Hetfield
(vocals/guitar)
Kirk Hammett (guitar)
Cliff Burton (bass)
Lars Ulrich (drums) |
METALLICA
added former TRAUMA bassist Cliff Burton (born February
10, 1962) in McGovney's place during December 1982 and
METALLICA officially became residents of San Francisco
after leaving Los Angeles on February 12, 1983. METALLICA
were soon embroiled in discussions with Firesign Records,
Shrapnel and Metal Blade. In fact, way back when Slagel
had first begun his 'Metal Massacre' series, the Metal
Blade boss could well have just recorded a full album,
but the funds just were not available to the company at
the time and so the chance went begging. Eventually the
act was persuaded to contact the New Jersey based Megaforce
Records, a label run by ANTHRAX manager and 'Rock n' Roll
Heaven' record store owner Johnny Zazula.
METALLICA were by now firmly defining their unique sound.
Rehearsals would see the band blasting through tracks
by NWoBHM acts such as DIAMOND HEAD, BLITZKRIEG and SAVAGE.
Oddly the latter act would be almost deleted from METALLICA's
history with only a bootleg single bearing testament to
the influence of the Mansfield Metal act.
However, after a show with VENOM and VANDENBERG in New
York Mustaine was unceremoniously fired after a huge bust-up
with Hetfield left Mustaine bruised, bloodied and out
of a job. A replacement was swiftly found, as METALLICA's
sound engineer also happened to manage the burgeoning
Bay Area outfit EXODUS. The approach to EXODUS six stringer
Kirk Hammett (born November 18, 1962) was made and he
was duly enrolled, virtually catching the next plane out
of San Francisco to begin work on the debut METALLICA
album. Mustaine completed one further gig with the band
supporting THE RODS before being sent packing. The ex-guitarist
soon busied himself with creating his new act titled MEGADETH.
The 'Kill 'Em All' album was recorded in Rochester, New
York and the album was released on Zazula's newly established
Megaforce label, with distribution from the Relativity
concern. The album was duly licensed to ex-Secret Records
boss Martin Hooker's new Music For Nations company for
release in the UK whilst Roadrunner took the album for
Holland, Banzai for Canada, RGE for Brazil, King for Japan
and Bernett for France. Amusingly, the record had been
envisioned to be titled 'Metal Up Your Ass' and boasting
a cover depicting an arm emerging from the depths of a
toilet bowl menacingly wielding a rather large knife.
Relativity persuaded the band that this idea wasn't exactly
a good choice. Mind you, the eventual choice of 'Kill
'Em All' and accompanying cover were no less subtle! T-shirts
featuring a depiction of the album's original title and
cover art would, however, be produced some while later.
