Mettallica - "Hit The Lights" (Metal Massacre, Vol. 1) (1st Pressing)

[@YLCC23]

Actually everyone the lineup at this point was Hetfield (Vocals, Rhythm guitar and bass)/Grant (Lead guitar)/Ulrich (Drums). Ron hadn't joined the band yet and neither had Dave.

[@GuitarSolosInc.]

I was going to write that, but you nailed it!!

[@juanregular21]

they weren't even a band technically.Grant played the solos only.and you can tell the overdubbing all over this track.

[@jamestdonleyiii1608]

I don't even think Lloyd Grant was ever in the band, he just did the solos so the track would sound like a proper metal song; Hetfield certainly wasn't capable of playing lead. In fact, I don't even think he was too keen on even being the Rhythm guitarist at first and just wanted to be the lead vocalist. In early publicity shots, he's just singing or holding a mic stand never a guitar. But I guess necessity forced him into the riff life he so loves now!

[@jamestdonleyiii1608]

All things considered, it's not a bad recording at all. It's miles better than the Whiskey Demo, which was actually recorded after this!

[@pleasuretokill]

Ron absolutely was in the band at this time. I spoke to him via his official Twitter account. He was at work while James and Lars were recording this song or he would have played bass on it but studio time was limited. Ron knew James way before any version of Metallica and was in Leather Charm the band prior to Metallica.

[@dapster]

Dave Mustaine is NOT on this. It's just James, Lars and LLOYD GRANT, who's playing all of the solos. James never liked this version so they rerecorded it for the "No Life 'Til Leather" demo and that's the version with James, Dave, Lars and Ron McGovney which was later included on later pressings of the "Metal Massacre I" album.

[@serigraph73]

Not according to Metallica dot com: metallica.com/releases/compilations/4223/metal-massacre

[@dapster]

serigraph73 This is not the second recording of Hit the Lights. It's the original and first demo of it which Is James, Lars and Lloyd Grant. Why do you think he was invited to and played the solos for this at their 30th anniversary shows? If it was Dave then Lloyd wouldn't have been there. Trust me, it's Lloyd Grant. (I even have the original demo at home at it credits Lloyd Grant on it)

[@serigraph73]

I know which version this is. The link I posted has credits for both versions and Dave M is credited on the first version, as is Lloyd. All i did is post a link. You have such a hard on over this...pretty silly.

[@StocktonsTaskForceA]

This is what KEA would sound like with Mustaine-a Weapon/Diamond Head, cover band.

[@alpaygokturk1680]

Mustaine played first solos. Lloyd plays longer and last one

[@MacintoshPlus1MB]

to think that they would become the biggest metal band of all time is just insane based on this, they weren't even close to being the best on the compilation

[@simongilbank8174]

this song was recorded entirely by Hetfield and Ulrich, With Grant performing the final solo. (in one take) Mustaine hadn't even met the band at this point, (this was the recording that made him call them up and ask to be in the band), and Also Mcgovney, who didn't really enjoy playing the bass refused to turn up to record. The whole thing was recorded on a 4track recorder and sent to Brian Slagel literally minutes before the compilation was due to be made.

[@pleasuretokill]

Not sure how much of this statement is true but one thing about it that I know is not true is Ron McG refusing to show up to record it. I conversed with him on Twitter, via his official account and he said verbatim that he was at work while they recorded it and James decided to just record the bass himself because studio time was limited. Pretty sure Mustaine answered an ad in the Recycler the same as James/Lars did also. Not sure if it was before or after the recording of this song tho that he joined.

[@m16s19]

the lead guitar on this is Lloyd Grant. not Mustaine. there's another demo on 'no life til' leather'. that's is Mustaine.

[@davidfarmer5783]

This is where it all began. The very first "Mettallica" recording--That's how it was misspelled on the first pressing! Ratt was also on this record, lol.

[@kartikchandrasekhar4181]

"The version on Kill ’Em All was basically a marriage of two songs. Hetfield brought in the verses and the chorus, which came from something he had done in a band called Leather Charm, and I brought in the whole back half of it, which was from something I had done before. After three verses and three choruses, it goes into this whole other universe, with a new riff and a fucking half-hour-long jam out.”" - Lars Ulrich about Hit the Lights.

[@petersimsen6009]

Lloyd Grant is killing it

[@JJMM33]

No. This was James (rhythm guitar, bass, and vocals), Lars (drums), and Lloyd Grant on lead. They hadn't met Dave yet and McGovney wasn't in the band yet.

[@satan3950]

What if lloyd grant was still In metallica

[@elimalinsky7069]

@@satan3950 Lloyd Grant was on a session basis for this recording only. This track was recorded in December 1981, two weeks before Dave Mustaine joined and two months before Ron McGovney joined. It is the first known recording by Metallica, even before any of the demo tapes. Hit The Lights was the only original song at the time for Metallica, and even that song was brought over from Leather Charm, Hetfieid's previous band, with the second half coming from a jam Lars and James used to play in rehearsals upon forming the band.

[@PlanetBloopy]

@@elimalinsky7069 What do you think of Dave saying he is on this? twitter.com/DaveMustaine/status/844284015360249857

[@elimalinsky7069]

@@PlanetBloopy Dave also claimed to have taught James guitar, because apparently James could barely play before Dave joined Metallica. I think all the drugs Dave did in the latter half of the 80s hazed his memory a bit.

[@juanregular21]

@@satan3950 lol.why?

[@MegaTattoo79]

among all the bands on here, Metallica were the loudest, punkiest and fastest,,,no doubt!! THRASH WAS BORN!!!!!! Thanx JAYMZ!!\m/

[@jye_24]

Motorhead and Venom were heavier compared to this version of Hit the lights, i saw someone say this is the best song off the album, this album is a reminder it doesnt matter how good u are u have to be original, that being Said Ratts tell the world was easily the best Track before it was removed, in all fairness they were going for the glam rock feel not Metal.

[@oscarluque249]

James said in a 1992 documentary that a critic said that this was the worst song on the album and that the vocals, production, and guitar sound was the worst he’s ever heard. Wonder how the critic reacted to Master Of Puppets

[@goldenwolf2462]

Or ride the lighting even kill ‘em all and maybe and justice for all

[@hypnovertigo7200]

Guys I wonder if this band will go anywhere

[@RexBarca]

Kirk was the right man for the job, we can all make fun of his solos or whatever, but he kicked ass on the first album.

[@hinjurock70]

He kicked ass on the first 5 albums.

[@metaldownm]

Dave wrote those solos, Kirk simplified them on the record.

[@charliekirby_]

@@metaldownm this solo on this recording was actually played by a black guitarist by the name of Lloyd grant (I say his race cause that would be kind of big at the time of 1982)

[@jye_24]

@@metaldownm U mean made them composed and sound good not like a drunk teenager?

[@JJMM33]

No. Ron and Dave played on the No Life till Leather demo tape. They did not play on this version of Hit the Lights on the Metal Massacre compilation album. James played bass, rhythm guitar and sang. Lars played drums and Lloyd Grant played lead guitar.

[@Hybrid-Invader]

Brian Slagel’s book, For the Sake of Heaviness, brought me here. I had no idea his early relationship with the Metallica, rad! Great book!

[@Jake8857]

James actually trying to sing is awful, I'm glad he decided to just belt out the lyrics so aggressively on the actual album.

[@chancetorres6796]

He was basically trying to sound like Sean Harris

[@jamez_estrada82]

@Meanie Linguine: Exactly! A Diamond Head knock-off

[@ericrojasvelez8891]

The second printing of the album is the same song on kill em all....this was the first printing

[@justinharvey1355]

Well they gotta start somewhere, right?

[@onutube6392]

@@ericrojasvelez8891 nah, it's just a version with mustaine and Ron mcgovney

[@keithfaecorstorphine]

How old was James, his voice sounds like he was about 10

[@stevendleifteh228]

19

[@yexas7029]

I think he was about 17-18 could be wrong though

[@cobgod1415]

He was 18

[@LinkVelasquez]

hehe Mett-allica

[@81giorikas]

I hear more of a diamond head influence rather than king diamond but he liked both... This is the era where his voice hadn't settled and he classified as tenor instead of a hi baritone!!! He even got up to the sixth octave in a live version of hit the lights. I agree with most that there is no chance that mustaine was in the band. First of all he wouldn't have let grant to play the solo!

[@JJMM33]

100% sure. They didn't have time to put a band together. That's why it's the last song on the compilation and Metallica was misspelled (Mettallica). They almost missed the deadline. James hated this version so they rerecorded it with Mustaine and McGovney a few months later and the new version with the correct spelling of Metallica was put on the second release of the Metal Massacre Compilation.

[@juanregular21]

thank you

[@MegaMetalshredder]

James trying to get his Diamond Head on here vocally

[@ashgabriel011]

Geez.. that voice...

[@twopainarsa6675]

Actually everyone the line-up at this point was James Hetfield (Vocals, Rhythm guitar and bass) / Lloyd Grant (Lead guitar) / Lars Ulrich (Drums). Ron and hadn't joined the band yet and neither had Dave.

[@fclefjefff4041]

Congratulations on being the 10th person to point that out

[@jareddavidmanifold313]

I own the 1994 metal blade records version of this album

[@powerslave0606]

First public Metallica demo (No Life Til' Leather) was released on July 6, 1982. And this compilation? I know, 1982, but I can't find the month.

[@javiersotelo4427]

ThePowerslave6697 this came out in june 14 1982

[@guitarinmygarage]

The first metallica demo was actually "Power Metal"

[@powerslave0606]

@@guitarinmygarage If you talk about the unreleased ones yeah, and before that you've got the Ron's Garage Demo and the Whiskey Audition Tape which were probably untitled tapes spread through bootlegging. But NLTL was one of those the band gave to a larger amount of ppl and including a proper name/artwork.

[@evildiamond6247]

Set the stage alight

[@blotv-healthmusic-benedict8388]

wow

[@NicoleConcha]

more than correct, but grant was just an invited member just for the song, he never was part of the band. I'm reading their biography by mick wall, i sugest to you all, it's fucing awesome!!!!

[@thomasackerly7732]

Nicole Concha Where can i buy my friend

[@EddieLJ18]

damn that singing lol

[@DETHMOKIL]

oh yeah, that llyd fella is pretty good too

[@awesomeguyscej6186]

This is the shit right here

[@thomasackerly7732]

Did CD come out yet cuz i have the Cassette to it.

[@serigraph73]

OFFICIAL CREDITS FOR THIS TRACK: metallica.com/releases/compilations/4223/metal-massacre

[@pkj77]

Dave Mustaine wasin´t one the first pressing only the second pressing ;) solo done by Loyd Grant

[@ronaldothomejunior3702]

Would be Lloyd Grant the best Metallica solist? I don't know, but his solo here is wonderful - and is a temptation think what could happen before...

[@lodke1697]

He's better than me on guitar,so that will be yes

[@hinjurock70]

It sounds like he's just soloing with no regard for the chord progression or rhythm of the song.

[@Bublerkin]

No. Just a random tasteless shredding. Kirk's solos are much more melodic and mature (at least before St.Anger).

[@RobVanHars2001]

Sounds like Sean Harris'(diamond head) voice

[@filipsrtx]

his whining sounds nothing like king diamond. where did you get the idea from?

[@brunodamianmartinezcontrer8714]

The begining of all!!!!!! Great song!!!! The voice of James is bad in this song but I DON´T CARE!!!!!

[@EpicocityBP]

Hetfield going for a King Diamond sounding thing here? Haha. I like the harsher vocals that are apparent in Kill 'Em All, but this is still nice

[@Matrix803]

Wow, this is fascinating. o u o I definitely hear some Ozzy influence in here.

[@Samii6669]

More like Diamon Head singer influ

[@Samii6669]

Eventually from Robert Plant

[@1977jackyl]

they would know. they put it together

[@Crispo84]

wrong!!!!!! Lloyd Grant on guitar! Massacre II was with Mustaine..!

[@pkj77]

Another thing James told didn´t play guitar on this only bass and singing and no not late 1981 nothing was recorded until 1982 band formed as every real fan should know by now too the bone OCT 28th 1981 but nothing recorded until 1982 the album this was recorded for Metal Massacre vol 1 came out June 1982 you´re very wrong Dave Mustaine NEVER sang in Metallica the only known vocals are backing to the rehearsal of Killing Time he does hes famous snarling singing only Killing time as backing vocals NOTHING ELSE

[@guitarinmygarage]

A lot of people say that the vocals are rubbish, but I disagree.

[@maxthecrazyxentrixfan1848]

Whos on bass?

[@YLCC23]

James

[@hi1000ish]

Max THE CRAZY XENTRIX FAN! Ron

[@yexas7029]

@@hi1000ish no it was James

[@jonathanquiroga493]

Pensaba que era Dave quien cantaba

[@DLTA64]

i'm here to end all debates: the first two solos are undeniably Mustaine's

[@deletedhero5579]

If it's the first pressing then theres no Dave mustaine, if it's the second then the first 2 solos are his

[@DLTA64]

​@@deletedhero5579 nope, i recognize dave's soloing style anywhere, the third solo (Grant's) has a completely different playing style AND tone

[@deletedhero5579]

@@DLTA64 I'm saying if this is the genuine first pressing then it's Lloyd as on the first pressing it was only Lloyd. Dave wasn't on it until the second release. I'm not sure which one this is

[@deletedhero5579]

@@DLTA64 Find the second pressing and you'll hear how different the first two solos are they are Dave's, this one is all Lloyd grant

[@fatihyildirim4802]

Metallica was influenced by first era of Iron Maiden. Di'anno i salute you. RIP

[@vistalite]

Lloyd Braun on lead guitar? SERENITY NOW!

[@isaiahmac2795]

vistalite Lloyd Grant

[@thomasnguyen77]

Insanity later

[@MichaelHansenFUN]

3:09

[@disorderAD]

The voals sound HORRIBLE btw :P

[@capitaly7721]

Mettallica? Why double t?

[@juanregular21]

that's how it was originally

[@onutube6392]

@@juanregular21 nah, just misspelled

[@satan3950]

Uuuhh... you spelled metallica wrong

[@juanregular21]

uhhhhh no kid.you're wrong.that's how it was.Slagel's mistake,but that's the memo he got during production and pressing of the album'

[@dominickk666]

teenage james :)

[@rr15oB2ko]

Hetfield/Ulrich/McGovney/Grant -> Hetfield/Ulrich/McGovney/Mustaine

[@Daniel_EDDA]

Nope, it's only Hetfield (Guitar's, Bass + Vocals) and Ulrich on Drums !

[@hu9204]

Daniel EDDA Grant plays the solos.

[@ArnaudFARINE]

Mettallica ?? Really??

[@creepingthrash]

Mustaine on the first two leads and Grant on the last

[@dapster]

+creepingthrash Nope. This was the first version of "Hit the Lights" with Lloyd Grant playing all 3 solos and James on bass. Neither Ron nor Dave were even in the band when this was recorded. James didn't like this version at all so once Dave and Ron were in then they rerecorded it and that's the version you hear on the 2nd and 3rd pressings of the first "Metal Massacre" compilation album. It's also the same version on the "No Life 'Til Leather" demo.

[@creepingthrash]

Who said Grant played all 3 solos? Some people assume so but it ain't true, they're clearly very different lead styles. If you have proof then share it.

[@dapster]

There are two different versions of this. The first one (which James hated, so they redid it) has Lloyd Grant playing ALL OF THE SOLOS, and the second version (which was on later pressings of Metal Massacre 1) has Dave Mustaine playing ALL OF THE SOLOS! Want proof? here...www.blabbermouth.net/news/guitarist-lloyd-grant-how-i-ended-up-playing-on-original-recording-of-metallicas-hit-the-lights/

[@creepingthrash]

...and nowhere does it say that Grant played all 3 leads. Pay attention here and you'll see it's only one: "I remember we wanted to get another solo on, so we stopped by Lloyd's house and hooked up some little fuckin' amp and just ripped through a solo. It was the first take. We went into the studio and that solo ended up on the record. It's a fuckin' great solo, man!"

[@metalslinger]

Dave's playing the first two, Lloyd's playing the big solo on the end. You can tell by the two different ways they're playing.

[@RobVanHars2001]

Man james' voice is at its worse hear

[@kensho7566]

better than metallica 1st album.