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Kill 'Em All

by Metallica

Released: July 25, 1983

Thrash metal, speed metal

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Chart Success.

The Album

"Kill 'Em All" is the debut studio album by Metallica, released on July 25, 1983, through Megaforce Records. Formed in 1981, Metallica initially played local shows in Los Angeles and recorded demos to attract attention. The influential "No Life 'til Leather" demo caught the eye of Megaforce's Jon Zazula, who signed them with a $15,000 recording budget.

Inside the Recording

Recorded in May 1983 with producer Paul Curcio, the album was initially titled "Metal Up Your Ass," featuring controversial artwork.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

They relocated to San Francisco, where bassist Cliff…

They relocated to San Francisco, where bassist Cliff Burton joined the band.

Zazula persuaded the band to change the title…

Zazula persuaded the band to change the title to enhance its commercial prospects.

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

Metallica - Kill 'Em All

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Then

Reception

It entered the Billboard 200 in 1986, peaking at number 155, and reached number 120 in a 1988 reissue. The album was promoted through the "Kill 'Em All for One" tour with Raven, generating singles like "Whiplash" and "Jump in the Fire." Although it initially shipped 15,000 copies, "Kill 'Em All" sold 60,000 copies worldwide by 1984. It has been certified 3× Platinum by the RIAA and remains influential, inspiring numerous bands in the genre.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Kill 'Em All" is the debut studio album by Metallica, released on July 25, 1983, through Megaforce Records. Formed in 1981, Metallica initially played local shows in Los Angeles and recorded demos to attract attention. They relocated to San Francisco, where bassist Cliff Burton joined the band. The influential "No Life 'til Leather" demo caught the eye of Megaforce's Jon Zazula, who signed them with a $15,000 recording budget.

Recorded in May 1983 with producer Paul Curcio, the album was initially titled "Metal Up Your Ass," featuring controversial artwork. Zazula persuaded the band to change the title to enhance its commercial prospects. The album was promoted through the "Kill 'Em All for One" tour with Raven, generating singles like "Whiplash" and "Jump in the Fire."

Although it initially shipped 15,000 copies, "Kill 'Em All" sold 60,000 copies worldwide by 1984. It entered the Billboard 200 in 1986, peaking at number 155, and reached number 120 in a 1988 reissue. Critically acclaimed, the album is considered groundbreaking for thrash metal due to its blend of British heavy metal riffs and hardcore punk tempos. It has been certified 3× Platinum by the RIAA and remains influential, inspiring numerous bands in the genre.