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For those who may have been under a rock when this set was released (or perhaps just inundated with new music and endless reissues of old music, like I was) and have still not “jumped” into this pricey fire, hopefully this review will be helpful and informative. I am usually not a fan of the proverbial “money grab” reissue process. Lifelong collectors usually find very little of interest from a product that is often rushed and not well thought out. Fortunately, no matter how you may feel about Metallica, they got this right. First, the timing was right. Vinyl continues to grow in popularity as many of us old-school rockers grow weary of artless digital files and over-compressed CDs. And let’s face it, many of us have either worn out or sold our old records, or they just don’t sound good anymore with the modern phonographs. And who doesn’t want a new, high quality recording of one of the most iconic albums in metal history? Second, the quality of both the content and the presentation is excellent (see below for full discussion of the components). Finally, while clearly targeted to the dedicated Metallica fan, collectors will find much to enjoy as well, particularly the hard cover ear book, which in addition to the picture EP and live LPs, is really the chief selling point here as the remastered versions of the original CD and LP can be purchased separately.
The Box
This is a well-constructed and functional container with inset picture of the album cover in the middle of the front of the box. The back panel is blank as the “setlist” of contents isn’t glued to the back and easily comes off once the outer plastic wrap is removed. The box easily folds open and the back compartment of the front cover serves as a perfect tray for the vinyl and ear book. The bottom of the case has molded cut outs which house the CDs/DVD. The main CD is double gatefold digi and the others come in a slipcase. The DVD comes in slipcase but has a plastic sleeve for additional protection (not sure why). For the most part, when stored upright, the CDs stay in place. The red emblem sew-on patch is a nice bonus. Overall, the box looks fantastic on a coffee table or stored upright on shelf (album title on spine as well) which is the preferred method due to the vinyl.
The Vinyl
The original recording remastered sounds fantastic – especially on vinyl – as there is a rich, full aural assault from beginning to end. After not listening to this album in regular rotation for years I had forgotten how ground-breaking this stuff was, and how consistently good was every song, although “No Remorse” remains my favorite because it perfectly bridged the older metal style with Metallica’s style. The live in Paris (1984) 2LP is definitely one of the selling points of this box set. Bootleg quality recordings often lack bass, but this performance was preserved with care and cut for vinyl with precision – great live set and very representative of the early Metallica live experience. Burton’s bass really jumps out on this. The picture disc EP remastered is a bonus fans and collectors alike will enjoy as well. The original recording (lyric insert included) and the live LPs are enclosed in static free sleeves contained in nice hefty jackets (love the details) and the picture disc contained in clear plastic sleeve. Download codes are included for all of them, but most fans will just want to embrace the vinyl listening experience.
The Book
Filled with tons of stories from friends and individuals in the music industry and media at the time of the original release, this book is really the central piece of the box set. Yes, the music and bonuses are fantastic, but the book pulls it all together. There is just tons of stuff to explore, from the original magazine reviews and interviews to the live flyers, to all of the commentary and stories. There are plenty of pictures circa 1983 and ’84 as well, but the highlights are the contract terms and conditions and riders. It is fascinating stuff, but one of the funniest riders would have to be the one case of beer per band stipulation – only in the 80’s LOL.
Incidentally, the track/song list for the live LP/vinyl as printed in the book and on the back of the box “table of contents” is incorrect in that it has “Jump In The Fire (live)” listed twice. The vinyl itself is correct and only includes “Jump in the Fire (live)” on Side 1.
CD 1 (original) (51:14)
I can say honestly that I hadn’t listened to the old version of this in many years. While I regularly rotate RTL, MOP, Justice and the black album, I didn’t listen to KEA. I think this is partly because we absolutely wore this recording out back in the 80’s during my college years and partly because as I’ve grown older I can’t connect with the lyrics quite as much. Also, I just really didn’t think the original release sounded all that good in terms of production/recording quality. But, man, this many years later these songs sound great, especially cleaned up.
CD 2 (Interview) (71:19)
The Metal Forces Magazine (1984) interview with Lars consumes nearly the entirety of this disc. It is really hard to focus on Lars as there is a ton of background noise throughout, so you really have to pay attention to get much out of this. I love the part about Dave Mustaine. Yeah, everyone knows this story – the band didn’t think he was good enough. But the funny part is when Lars says that when Mustaine got too drunk he was really obnoxious and it was difficult to deal with. This is an absolutely hilarious statement coming from one of the most obnoxious drummers (especially drunk) in metal history. It’s nothing new but it is just cool to hear him discuss these kinds of issues during the band’s infancy.
CD 3 (Rough Mixes) (68:12)
The first 6 tracks sound great, but “The Four Horsemen” sounds really muffled. Live songs are solid.
CD 4 (Middleton, NY, January, 1984) (43:30)
Of the two live performances included in this set on CD, I prefer this one. Yes, the tape is cut on the first song, but overall the drums really sound much better here compared to the Palo Alto tape. It is interesting to hear James discuss the stolen equipment (in Boston) and thank Anthrax for lending them instruments … and I love the part where he asks the crowd if there is anyone there who hasn’t seen them live before. It’s really just so cool to hear these early moments in the band touring history.
CD 5 (Palo Alto, CA, Halloween, 1983) (79:08)
This is a fantastic set-list and a high energy show no doubt, but the sound quality is not as good as the other live performances in this box set. The echoing of James vocals is authentic but does detract some from the listening experience. The vocals are so “over the top” in the mix and the drums quite buried.
DVD (Chicago, August, 1983)
The shock factor here is that there is no audio for the first 17 minutes of the show. But while it would have been nice to have the audio for “Hit the Lights,” “Seek and Destroy” and the first part of “Jump in the Fire,” it actually adds a nostalgic quality to the performance that represents Metallica’s humble, working-class beginnings. I mean, we wouldn’t expect it to be perfect in the beginning. I love this DVD because it features a show from the era when this is how most of us experienced metal back in the day – the close quarters, smoke and simple lights and a wall of sound. Never fear, though, because when the audio “jumps” in – not surprisingly in the middle of “Jump in the Fire” when the audio was finally turned on – we are treated to a very good quality recording from there on out. The DVD is worth it alone for one of the earliest captured videos of Cliff Burton’s “Anesthesia” solo, and is notable for the band’s somewhat awkward stage presence – James always trying to antagonize the crowd. And then there was Lars unorthodox drumming style, hitting all the crashes with his right hand … the video zig-zagging in and out with distortion. Did bands really throw records into the audience way back when … yeah! It’s all here, perfectly nostalgic – a performance that features a band who may have been uncertain about their place and future in the metal world but who were absolutely serious about what they were doing musically.
Overall, this is a near perfect set. What’s missing? Not much, but I would have liked the book to include a section on the equipment and instruments each member used for the album and during this era of their career. If you are a fan of Metallica, or even just a fan of KEA for that matter, get this. It is expensive for sure, but I feel well worth the heavy price tag. There aren’t, and won’t be (with the exception of the other Metallica box sets in this series), many albums in metal history that are given such a luxurious and expansive, fan-oriented treatment.
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Remastered album sounds great!
This review is for the "Kill 'Em All" box setI just purchased a turntable for the first time since high school and this is the first thing I bought. I was going to get it directly off of Metallicas site but it was sold out, glad I found it on Amazon. Each one comes numbered out of 30,000; not sure if they plan to do additional runs after that?The remastered "Kill 'Em All" record sounds flippin awesome!!! This is the first time I have listened to this on vinyl since 1989, maybe I am just excited to have a record player again but this is the best I remember it sounding. All the guitar solos coming through crystal clear and Cliff Burtons bass is bumping, tom drums sound fantastic.I probably would have just bought the remastered album by itself, but this boxset comes with the "Jump in the Fire" picture disc and I couldn't pass that up; glad I got the set, the book that comes with it is a great stroll down memory lane.In the box:- "Kill 'Em All" Book- Metallica Patch- 3 LPs: "Kill 'Em All", "Jump in the Fire" picture disc, Double live Album "Paris, France 2/9/1984"- Download codes for all three albums- DVD live in Chicago, IL 8/12/1983- 5 CDs: "Kill 'Em All", "Live: Palo Alto, CA 10/31/1983", "Live: Middletown, NY 1/20/1984", "Rough Mixes from the vault / Whiplash EP", "Interview and Radio IDs"Can't wait for my wife to go to work tomorrow so I can listen to the live album!Pics attached
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2018
This review is for the "Kill 'Em All" box set
I just purchased a turntable for the first time since high school and this is the first thing I bought. I was going to get it directly off of Metallicas site but it was sold out, glad I found it on Amazon. Each one comes numbered out of 30,000; not sure if they plan to do additional runs after that?
The remastered "Kill 'Em All" record sounds flippin awesome!!! This is the first time I have listened to this on vinyl since 1989, maybe I am just excited to have a record player again but this is the best I remember it sounding. All the guitar solos coming through crystal clear and Cliff Burtons bass is bumping, tom drums sound fantastic.
I probably would have just bought the remastered album by itself, but this boxset comes with the "Jump in the Fire" picture disc and I couldn't pass that up; glad I got the set, the book that comes with it is a great stroll down memory lane.
In the box:
- "Kill 'Em All" Book
- Metallica Patch
- 3 LPs: "Kill 'Em All", "Jump in the Fire" picture disc, Double live Album "Paris, France 2/9/1984"
- Download codes for all three albums
- DVD live in Chicago, IL 8/12/1983
- 5 CDs: "Kill 'Em All", "Live: Palo Alto, CA 10/31/1983", "Live: Middletown, NY 1/20/1984", "Rough Mixes from the vault / Whiplash EP", "Interview and Radio IDs"
Can't wait for my wife to go to work tomorrow so I can listen to the live album!
Pics attached
I just purchased a turntable for the first time since high school and this is the first thing I bought. I was going to get it directly off of Metallicas site but it was sold out, glad I found it on Amazon. Each one comes numbered out of 30,000; not sure if they plan to do additional runs after that?
The remastered "Kill 'Em All" record sounds flippin awesome!!! This is the first time I have listened to this on vinyl since 1989, maybe I am just excited to have a record player again but this is the best I remember it sounding. All the guitar solos coming through crystal clear and Cliff Burtons bass is bumping, tom drums sound fantastic.
I probably would have just bought the remastered album by itself, but this boxset comes with the "Jump in the Fire" picture disc and I couldn't pass that up; glad I got the set, the book that comes with it is a great stroll down memory lane.
In the box:
- "Kill 'Em All" Book
- Metallica Patch
- 3 LPs: "Kill 'Em All", "Jump in the Fire" picture disc, Double live Album "Paris, France 2/9/1984"
- Download codes for all three albums
- DVD live in Chicago, IL 8/12/1983
- 5 CDs: "Kill 'Em All", "Live: Palo Alto, CA 10/31/1983", "Live: Middletown, NY 1/20/1984", "Rough Mixes from the vault / Whiplash EP", "Interview and Radio IDs"
Can't wait for my wife to go to work tomorrow so I can listen to the live album!
Pics attached
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2017
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2016
