Metallica: Ranking Every Album's First Song
2. Hit The Lights - Kill ‘Em All
Rather interestingly, the opening to Metallica's debut album actually sounds like the album is coming to an end.
Kill 'Em All gets underway with what sounds like a crescendo, every single instrument rattling out what sounds like a big finale to the record. It's a wonder more people didn't complain about the track listing being back to front.
However, like a lot in the band's career, not everything is as it seems.
The real song bursts into life with a soaring dive up the fretboard from Hammett. Then comes the riff, fast and exciting without ever being overwhelming. Hetfield then yells out "Whoa!", his first words on record, and you know you're in for a good time.
Not only is the song heavy as hell, but it's also surprisingly well-structured. It flicks from fast to slow paced with ease, showing off the band's musical prowess at a time when they were largely concerned with volume over traditional technique.
"Hit The Lights" is pretty much the perfect start to a rock album. It has an intriguing start, a memorable set of lyrics, and, in terms of musicality, it's one of the band's greatest hidden gems.