How “Metal Up Your Ass” Became “Kill ‘Em All”

When Metallica set out to name their debut album, they chose “Metal Up Your Ass” — a title that perfectly captured their raw energy and defiance towards authority. This name, first used in their 1982 demo, was not just a label but a declaration of the band’s unyielding attitude in the face of the music industry’s conventions.

The intended cover art, created by Stephen Gorman, was just as bold as the title. It featured a hand rising from a toilet bowl clutching a dagger, a graphic metaphor intended to both attract hardcore metal fans and repel the less committed. However, this uncompromising artistic expression met with significant resistance from distributors.

Concerned about marketability and moral implications, they pushed back against the album’s provocative title and artwork. Jonny Zazula, Metallica’s then-manager, expressed concerns about the album’s viability in the retail market given its controversial nature.

Caught between their unfiltered expression and the industry’s limits, Metallica faced a defining moment in their early career.

It was Lars Ulrich who revealed the band’s intention behind the controversial title: to shock, but specifically those outside of their fan base. Faced with censorship, the band responded by shifting gears to the title “Kill ‘Em All”, a subtle yet direct jab at the distributors who sought to limit their creative freedom. This title change, while a compromise, was a strategic move to preserve their provocative edge.

The idea for “Kill ‘Em All” came directly from Cliff Burton’s raw frustration. During a walk to a photo session, Burton’s exasperated outburst, “Fuck those fuckers, man, those fucking record outlet people. Just, we should just kill ’em all!” resonated with the band. This moment of candour from Burton led Ulrich and Zazula to agree on “Kill ‘Em All” as the album’s new title.

Despite the alteration, the controversy surrounding “Metal Up Your Ass” remained a significant part of Metallica’s narrative. In 1985, they revisited the original concept by releasing a baseball T-shirt featuring the “Metal Up Your Ass” artwork, a move that not only acknowledged their initial vision but also solidified their reputation as a band unafraid to push boundaries.

Metallica’s Pioneering Demo

“Metal Up Your Ass”, recorded on November 29, 1982, at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco, California, holds a special place in Metallica’s history. This demo, capturing the raw essence of the band’s early sound, featured nine original songs that Metallica had composed up to that point. Most of these tracks later found their way onto their debut album, “Kill ‘Em All”, with the notable exception of Cliff Burton’s bass solo “(Anesthesia)-Pulling Teeth”.

The demo also showcased Metallica’s influences with two covers of Diamond Head songs – “Am I Evil?” and “The Prince”. However, due to a limitation as mundane as the tape running out, “The Prince” was not fully recorded during the set. The demo’s tracklist reads like a blueprint for their future success: “Hit the Lights”, “The Mechanix”, “Phantom Lord”, “Jump in the Fire”, “Motorbreath”, “No Remorse”, “Seek & Destroy”, “Whiplash”, “Am I Evil?” (Diamond Head cover), and “Metal Militia”.

Recorded in 1982, ‘Metal Up Your Ass’ featured Metallica’s earliest tracks, shaping the core of their debut album.

The personnel on this pivotal recording included James Hetfield on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Dave Mustaine on lead guitar and backing vocals, Ron McGovney on bass, and Lars Ulrich on drums. Notably, Cliff Burton is credited on the inside sleeve of the demo but did not perform on it. Adding to the historical significance, the supporting band during the recording was Exodus, featuring Kirk Hammett, who would later become Metallica’s lead guitarist.

This demo not only marked a key moment in Metallica’s journey but also in the broader landscape of metal music. Its influence reached beyond the genre, as seen in 1997 when the melodic punk band 88 Fingers Louie parodied both the title and cover art with their EP titled “88 Fingers Up Your Ass”. This gesture underscored the lasting impact of Metallica’s early work, continuing to inspire and provoke long after its release.

Rising from Controversy to Platinum Triumph

Despite the initial challenges and controversies surrounding its title, Metallica’s debut album “Kill ‘Em All” achieved remarkable success. By the end of 1984, it had sold 60,000 copies worldwide and was later certified 3x Platinum in the United States. The critical reception of “Kill ‘Em All” was overwhelmingly positive, and today, it is celebrated as a groundbreaking work in thrash metal, noted for its innovative fusion of New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) riffs with hardcore punk tempos.

The original title “Metal Up Your Ass” continued to resonate with Metallica and their fans, despite not being used for the album. Its rebellious spirit and the story behind its replacement became a popular piece of trivia among metal enthusiasts, contributing significantly to Metallica’s credibility and legend in the metal community. This underscored the band’s commitment to their artistic vision and their willingness to push boundaries, qualities that have defined Metallica throughout their career.

“Kill ‘Em All” marked the beginning of Metallica’s journey to becoming one of the most influential and enduring bands in the history of heavy metal. The legacy of “Metal Up Your Ass” remains a testament to the band’s early days of raw ambition and unfiltered creativity.