Various – Metal Massacre

Metal Massacre, released in 1982 by Metal Blade Records, stands as an influential milestone in heavy metal history. This groundbreaking compilation album not only launched the careers of emerging bands but also showcased Metallica's first recorded song, "Hit the Lights," marking a pivotal moment in their legendary trajectory. From the sheer force of Metallica's debut to the diverse range of talented acts featured, Metal Massacre captured the raw power and unbridled energy of the burgeoning metal scene.

Adding to its allure, Metal Massacre's vinyl pressing has become a prized collector's item. As vinyl experiences a resurgence, the album's rarity and the nostalgia it evokes have elevated its desirability. The scarcity of the original vinyl release has turned Metal Massacre into a sought-after treasure for ionate metalheads and devoted music aficionados. Owning a copy of this iconic compilation on vinyl not only connects fans to heavy metal's roots but also symbolizes a tangible piece of history.

With its unpolished yet authentic energy, Metal Massacre serves as a testament to the unwavering spirit of the bands featured. It captures a pivotal era when heavy metal was carving its path to global dominance, leaving an indelible mark on the genre's future.

Metal Massacre's historical significance, combined with its rarity and vinyl pressing, solidifies its legendary status. It remains a cherished artifact, representing the genre's essence and immortalizing Metallica's remarkable beginnings. This album continues to inspire and captivate music enthusiasts, reminding us of the enduring power and timeless appeal of heavy metal.

I bought the re-release on Metalworks US via UK mail order in 1982. I liked Cirith Ungol best, and bought all their albums on import. Metallica came 2nd place, so I bought their debut the same way in 1983, as well as Bitch's 1983 debut album, but didn't really care for it, whereas I shocked my friends with Kill 'Em All they way I'd done 3 years earlier with Iron Maiden's debut LP in April 1980. (It wasn't released here until 4 months later, and most of my 11-months-younger rastaman brother's hardrock friends still listened to Thin Lizzy and UFO when I played Maiden and Judas Priest's 1980 British Steel for them...).

I also bought Ratt's 1984 debut, and also their hit followup, Invasion of Privacy, which I detested. They sounded like Toto or sh*t like that. Also, I caught Metallica LIVE in Lars Ulrich's Denmark at the Roskilde Festival, after a killer set by Filipino-American teenagers Death Angel, in late June 1986. Three months later, I read a small note in my daily newspaper that Metallica's tour bus (no private jets then...) was involved in an accident here in Sweden, and Cliff Burton was dead - just 1½ hrs north of my tiny hometown, and not far from IKEA's HQ and first store (yada yada, yada...). He'd died 1 week after my 25th b-day.

The police reports and witnesses the following days all pointed at the driver, who (quote) clearly had fallen asleep at the wheel (unquote), and was driving too fast under those conditions - invisible "black ice" on seemingly dry couyntry roads and highways, slippery road in the unusually cold winter night, heading south. (In the 1980s, we had real winters with daytime temperatures several years at -20°C (-4°F), and -30°C (-22°F) at night down here in the deep south, just 1-1½ hrs from Denmark, reminiscing older people of the cold WWII winters. As a contrast; 10 days ago, on Nov. 27 (on Jimi Hendrix' and Bruce Lee's b-days, in 1942 and 1940, respectively), we had a +19°C (+66F)...

Well, I got tired of Metallica in '88, but got the brand new Black Album from a friend for my 30th b-day in 1991, and was a fan again. For a year or two...I thought Load was a load of BS.Then I saw them a 2nd time at Roskilde (30 mins. west of Copenhagen) in early July '92 for a wee bit larger audience...but skipped them when they returned in 2000. Blah-blah-blah...

/J, Sweden*

*) An old geezer who prefers stoner rock (Fu Manchu, Nebula, Sleep, Om, Kyuss, Spirit Caravan, Bad Wizard...), British and Swedish prog rock, 70s (heavy) prog, The Residents, Todd Rundgren, Brian Eno, 70s Klaus Schulze and Tangerine Dream, Leonard Cohen, The Amboy Dukes, Grand Funk when they still were a Railroad, Beck, Krautrock, blues/blues rock, The Legendary Pink Dots, Cabaret Voltaire, Chrome...

PS. Send complaints to [email protected]! Thx.

i just got this 40th ann EUROPEAN edition on ruby red vinyl, they did a great job w/ the remastering for a color vinyl lp... god i this record was in the racks everywhere it seemed from 1982 to around 1986 or so until metallica broke it so huge!!!, anyway hearing these original tracks again is fantastic and bringing back memories from long ago!!!! i LOVE STEELER & this version of cold day in hell from 82 was as good as the 83 version w/ yngwie!!! that steeler record was a killer back in 83, others on here i was into & saw live where BITCH,MALICE, CIRITH UNGOL & of coarse EARLY METALLICA.........( hence i never saw cirith ungol or steeler live) i saw KEEL solo on his 1985 right to rock tour and it tortured me............anyway this is a beautiful reissue, i believe 2500 untits are available and in 2022 that is more then enough i feel so i cant call this limited.... anyway GREAT EARLY 80S WEST COAST METAL HERE.........

This is getting reissued! Finally! 4/22/22 according to Rolling Stone...

1st Press with Printmistake "Mettallica" - later Releases with Correction "Metallica"

A true “grail” for any collector of heavy metal music. Great collection of classics and Metallica history. Theirs a really great story behind this release that you can read in Brian Slagel’s book “For The Sake Of Heaviness” The history of Metal Blade Records.

My version has a round sticker "$6.98 suggested USA list price - METAL BLADE PRICE SLASHER"

Late '80s (circa 1988) pressings of this reissue edition features plain black&white labels (featuring triangle + other geometric shapes; stated copyright: 1982, + publishing: 1984) on both sides of the vinyl disc that are similar to METAL MASSACRE NINE and/or Metal Blade Promos of that time. *[See Metal Massacre Nine for Discogs' images of similar label.]