The band's musical ambition also grew rapidly, so today, Kill 'Em All sounds more like the foundation for greater things to come. And actually, anyone who worked backward through the band's catalog might not fully appreciate the impact of Kill 'Em All when it first appeared - unlike later releases, there simply isn't much musical variation (apart from a lyrical bass solo from Cliff Burton). Ex-member Dave Mustaine co-wrote four of the original ten tracks, but the material all sounds of a piece. A few tributes to heavy metal itself are a bit dated lyrically like Diamond Head, the band's biggest influence, Kill 'Em All's most effective tone is one of supernatural malevolence - as pure sound, the record is already straight from the pits of hell. There are already several extended, multi-sectioned compositions foreshadowing the band's later progressive epics, though these are driven by adrenaline, not texture. But really, the rest of the band is just as dexterous, playing with tightly controlled fury even at the most ridiculously fast tempos. James Hetfield's highly technical rhythm guitar style drives most of the album, setting new standards of power, precision, and stamina. On Kill 'Em All, Metallica fuses the intricate riffing of New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Diamond Head with the velocity of Motörhead and hardcore punk.
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