Rare and exclusive photographs fill the pages of this visual history of Metallica's debut shows in San Francisco. Influenced musically by the new breed of British metal, yet epitomizing the punk rock scene, the band's loud, snotty, and dismissive attitude is evident everywhere in these photographs that document six of the legendary band's earliest performances. Tracing the band's growth, there are shots of Dave Mustaine and Ron McGovney playing together, Cliff Burton's introductory gig with the band at The Stone, the last Metallica show with Dave Mustaine, and Kirk Hammett's Metallica debut. Behind the camera is the book's author, who was invited behind the scenes to hang out and photograph the band's brazen energy in concert, as well as their crazy and unpredictable backstage antics. Shot without the safety of a photo pit, many of the photographs are close-ups of wild crowds as they head-bang fearlessly to the music of their local heroes. Perfect for browsing, the collection is interesting in its contribution to music history, for its intriguing photography, and as a documentary on the youth culture in the Bay area during the 1980s.

Reviews

"Fans of Metallica will love this intimate look at the band, from more than two decades back. Bill Hale takes us on that journey, offering a massive dose of heavy metal mania." —Shelf Life

"All I can say is wow. The holy grail of Metallica's early era in photography. This is one awesome book along with the text that goes with each photo. Any Metallica fan from any era has got to check this book out." —Good Time Metal Oldies Blog

"Hale captures the edgy essence of the young band . . . If you are a serious Metallica fan or just a purveyor of rock history, this book is a must-see." —Sacramento Book Review

"One of those few books that are more than developed film on paper, but a time machine in book form . . . Bill Hale is to Metallica as Astrid Kirchherr was to the Beatles." —antiMusic.com