Kill 'Em All is the debut studio album by the American heavy metal band Metallica, released on July 25, 1983, by the independent record label Megaforce Records. Kill 'Em All is regarded as a groundbreaking album for thrash metal because of its precise musicianship, which fuses new wave of British heavy metal riffs with hardcore punk tempos. The album's musical approach and lyrics were markedly different from rock's mainstream of the early 1980s and inspired a number of bands who followed in similar manner. The album did not enter the Billboard 200 until 1986, when it peaked at number 155, following Metallica's commercial success with its third studio album Master of Puppets; the 1988 Elektra reissue peaked at number 120. Kill 'Em All was critically praised at the time of its release and in retrospect, and was placed on a few publications' best album lists. It was certified 3× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 1999 for shipping three million copies in the United States. The album generated two singles, "Whiplash" and "Jump in the Fire".
Angel Witch are a British heavy metal band which formed in London, England in 1977 as part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement. They are well known for having inspired Lars Ulrich to form Metallica.
Carnivore is an American heavy metal band from Brooklyn, New York founded by singer and bassist Peter Steele, and was formed out of the breakup of the Brooklyn metal group Fallout in 1982.
Tygers of Pan Tang are a heavy metal band, part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement. They formed in 1978 in Whitley Bay, England, and were active until 1987. The band reformed in 1999 and continue to record and perform. The name is derived from Pan Tang, a fictional archipelago in Michael Moorcock's Elric of Melniboné fantasy series whose wizards keep tigers as pets.
Consumed is an English punk rock band formed in 1994 in the outskirts of Nottingham. They were signed to Fat Wreck Chords, then moved to BYO Records and Golf Records shortly before the release of the album Pistols at Dawn. The band toured the UK, Europe, Scandinavia, the U.S. and Canada and were also regulars at surf and skate festivals in the mid- to late-1990s.
The Meatmen are an American punk band headed by Tesco Vee, originally existing from 1981 to 1988, before reforming in the mid-1990s, and again in the 2000s. They were known for their outrageous stage antics and offensive lyrics. They reformed in 2008 and continue to tour and record.
Чёрный Кофе is a Russian heavy metal band active since 1981. It is led by guitarist and singer Dmitry Varshavsky.
Vicious Rumors are an American power metal band, originally formed in 1979 in the San Francisco, California Bay Area. The band was conceived by founder & guitarist/vocalist Geoff Thorpe, and the band has been actively recording and touring worldwide since their full-length recording debut in 1985. The band is signed to Germany-based label SPV/Steamhammer records.
Blitzkrieg are a heavy metal band initially from Leicester formed in 1980. The current line-up is Brian Ross (vocals), Ken Johnson (guitar), Alan Ross (guitar), Huw Holding (bass) and Matt Graham (drums). Brian Ross is the only remaining member from the band's founding.
More are a British heavy metal band who were part of the new wave of British heavy metal scene in the early 1980s. They recorded two albums and two singles, and opened the German 1981 Rock Summer Night at Stuttgart and Darmstadt in August 1981, as well as the Monsters of Rock festival at Donington Park one week later.
Tokyo Blade is an English heavy metal band, active since 1982. Tokyo Blade is one of the many acts considered part of the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) movement from the late 1970s / early 1980s. Tokyo Blade went through many changes of formation and disbanded twice, often changing their musical style during the years of activity. However, the band is still active today, with most of the original members in the line-up.
Dublin Death Patrol (DDP) is an American thrash metal band formed in 2006 by Testament singer Chuck Billy and Exodus singer Steve Souza.
Joshua is a Christian metal band that formed in 1980. The band has re-formed under three names -- Joshua, M Pire, and Joshua Perahia -- but has remained centered on guitarist Joshua Perahia. Despite being based in Los Angeles, California, they are best known outside of the United States. Their best-known song, "November Is Going Away" (1983), was a No. 1 hit in Japan.
Stormwitch is a heavy metal band from Heidenheim, Baden Württemberg, Germany, formed in 1981. They have been called "The Masters of Black Romantic" by their fans. The band's song lyrics often focused on fantasy, occult or historical themes, along with their contemporaries and countrymen Helloween. They performed at Wacken Open Air festival in 2002. Over time they have changed their sound from a Judas Priest-esque style of heavy metal to a more keyboard based form of power metal.
Malice is an American heavy metal band formed in 1981, best known for their appearance on the first Metal Massacre compilation and a pair of albums on Atlantic Records. Their heavily European influenced style elicited instant comparisons to Judas Priest due to vocalist James Neal sounding uncannily like Rob Halford in addition to fielding a guitar duo in the Tipton/Downing mode, with Malice's Jay Reynolds looking like a dead ringer for K.K. Downing.
Heavy Load is a Swedish heavy metal band from Stockholm. The band is often hailed as the first Swedish heavy metal band, and were known for their Viking themes. The Wahlquist brothers, who founded the band in 1976 along with Michael Backler, were later producers and owners of Thunderload Records in Sweden, were at one point producing Veni Domine, and also were considering releasing a new album, though that never occurred.
Overkill L.A. or SST Overkill is a hardcore punk/speed metal band started in 1980 in Los Angeles and which recorded two records on SST Records and some tracks on compilations. The band started as Overkill but they were rechristened Overkill L.A. by SST Records when they re-released their albums in the '90's and SST Overkill when they reunited in 2005.
Savage Grace was a power/speed metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed by Chris Logue and Brian East, active between 1981 and 1993. They reformed in 2009, and subsequently released an EP entitled The Lost Grace. In 2010, they performed at the Up the Hammers, Bang Your Head!!! and Keep It True festivals.
