This is my first "non-music" review.. but don't get your hopes up. This album is more of a video bootleg (or, rather, a collection of video bootlegs) than an actual movie. Hence, there will be no "plot summary" or anything like that here. As I usually do, I'm going to review this song by song. Just so you know.

I must say that I was rather disappointed with the other reviews of this album. I am going to review this album without comparing what the band sounded and acted like back in these days to what they act like now. That is simply not fair to people who want an honest opinion of this tape, in my opinion. Reviewers shouldn't discredit or credit music simply because it's different than what the group is doing now. I know that Metallica had some runins with bootleggers recently, but that's not going to affect my rating of this incredible tape.

Anyway, if you're not familiar with Metallica, I would ask what rock you have been hiding under for the past decade and a half. Metallica is generally the most popular heavy metal band of the past decade. Their popularity rise is usually traced back to touring across the country with Ozzy Osbourne in 1986. Interestingly enough, this tape contains footage from that tour, so if you're interested in seeing what this group looked like when they first broke into the mainstream market (so to speak), you'll really enjoy this video.

You'll enjoy this for more reasons than that, though. The band is incredibly tight on every single song. I'm not sure how familiar you are with the subtilities and intricacies of speed metal (or thrash or death metal or whatever you want to call it)... I'll tell you this much: it's not easy to play, by any means. Amazingly, on every song, these guys maintain a high level of energy and musicianship while attacking these incredibly difficult songs. Wow. To top all this off, we are entertained on multiple occasions by the infamous Cliff Burton, one of the most animated and bizarre bass players of all time.

Enough of this garbage. Lets get on with the music:
Creeping Death Live in Detroit, 1986--
From the famous Ozzy Osbourne tour, this is an incredibly tight version of Creeping Death. Very well filmed for an amateur bootleg, this has some great shots of everything from Cliff Burton spitting to how animated all four members were together. This would have been a very interesting concert to attend because the lighting was certainly unorthodox... the lights tend to dim and a strobe light is turned on from somewhere around the drumset. It doesn't do anything for the music, but it must have been some sight live. Apparently this is the last song from this set, as the band says "Thank you Detroit!" and walks off stage.

Am I Evil? Live in Detroit, 1986--
After a few brief talking interludes, we see the encore from the show the last song came from. James gets on stage, excites the audience, and says "We'll see if you know this one." Following which, the band launches into the Diamond Head cover that would later prove to be one of the group's most popular songs. You must realize that, in 1986, this track was only available on the B-side to the Creeping Death single (if memory serves me well.. correct me if I'm wrong, please), so I'm not sure if anybody in the crowd knew what they were playing. Anyway, the band launches into one of the tightest versions of this song imaginable. Before the chorus comes up, though, the group stops and segues directly into...

Damage, Inc. Live in Detroit, 1986 --
This is an impossibly difficult song, especially at the speed they play it. All that I can say is "wow". James Hetfield has an incredible ability to play one thing on guitar while singing something completely different. It's really impressive, and this song is very well performed.

Master of Puppets Live in Staten Island (correct me if I'm wrong, please), 1986 --
Also from the tour with Ozzy Osbourne. This is the lowest quality video on this tape, but don't worry too much about it: it's more than watchable. In my opinion, this is, bar none, the greatest version of Master of Puppets that I have ever heard. Not that they get every single note exactly right (they certainly don't) or that they do anything really special.. it's just that there's some incredible energy coming from the group on this track. Almost like these guys are excited just to be able to play this song. Such an attitude toward music really stands out as enjoyable, and you will certainly enjoy this track as a result. Check out Lars Ulrich standing up and hammering on a cymbal during the interlude right before the bridge... just amazing. Wow. If you are any sort of Metallica fan at all, you will love this track.

Interlude --
One of three versions of Cliff Burton playing his masterpiece, (Anesthesia)-Pulling Teeth. This is special because it comes from Cliff's second gig with Metalica, from back when the band featured Dave Mustain (of Megadeth fame) on lead guitar. Anyway, this is an incredible version of his bass solo. It's amazing that he's playing this way on only his second gig with the band.. Wow.

Whiplash Live from San Fransisco, 1983 --
As usual, the band launches straight into Whiplash right after Cliff completes his solo. This is a great version of Whiplash, too. This is another very fast, difficult song, that the band just shreds through like it's nobody's business. I will say, however, that Mustaine doesn't fit into the band's image at all. He's standing on stage like a moron, trying to act like a glam metal rock star or something like that. Other than him, these guys look great. Man, oh man, how I wish I had been in that crowd that day.

Interlude--
Another version of Anesthesia, this one from a few years later, and you can tell. Cliff simply shreds through this solo, playing it like he was born to play it. Talk about playing the bass like a guitar.. he plays the bass like Jimi Hendrix played the guitar. Wow.

The Four Horsemen Live from Germany (if I remember right... it's somewhere in Europe, at least) 1985--
This is a pretty well done, professionally mixed tape of early Metallica that you don't find anywhere else. My only problem with it is that the filmers tend not to focus on the soloist when a solo is being played.. other than that, I can't complain. Anyway, this is a great version of The Four Horsemen, another incredibly difficult song.

Fade to Black Same as track above --
I'm happy to see that this band had the maturity to put one of their slower songs in among this collection of speedy tracks. This is a pretty cool version of Fade to Black, but the camera men need some work. I'm really not a big fan of crowd shots, folks.. although it is pretty funny to see people holding up their lighters, since you certainly don't see that anymore. Anyway, this is a nice and tender version of this song.. one complaint about all three of these tracks from this show is that the sound mixing doesn't play the solos loud enough... so be warned.

Seek and Destroy Same as above --
GREAT version of Seek and Destroy, but the filming tricks absolutely ruin this. Whomever produced this needs to learn that camera effects aren't cool when they're overused like this. I'm sorry, but i just can't stand watching this track. You'll have some problems with it, for sure. Shame, too, since this is such a great version of this song.

Welcome Home (Sanitarium) This is from a metalfest somewhere.. forgive me for not knowing where, because I'm not watching it at the moment. 1986 --
Another slower, tender song that is very well filmed. This cameraman also has a problem with not showing the soloists during solos, but at least he's not playing around with his camera's primitive effects. Very enjoyable, very watchable, all in all a track that truly stands out.

Interlude --
ANOTHER version of Anesthesia.. Cliff takes a swig of beer and launches straight into it. Listen to all three versions and you'll hear how this track has evolved over time... Cliff kind of grits his teeth and launches straight into this puppy. Wow. Also very impressive.

For Whom The Bell Tolls Live from Oakland, 1985 --
This track is live from some incredible show these guys played at the Oakland Coliseum in front of a vast audience. GREAT camera work, too, stageside from Cliff's side. Cliff starts this off with a little bit of a bass solo, and then launches into the famous opening bass riff of For Whom The Bell Tolls.. check out his improvisation, too. Wow. The focus is certainly Cliff, as you get great shots of his unique, incredibly animated style. Very enjoyable, great watching material here.

No Remorse Live from Chicago, 1983, first US tour --
Also professionally filmed, probably intended to be shown on TV at some point in time. This camera man knows that he's doing, too.. great closeups on the solos. Check out how young Kirk Hammett looks. Now, I could do without the constant crowd shots, but they don't seem to get in the way here, for some reason... this is just great. You will be sure to enjoy this great look at VERY early Metallica.

Interlude --
Watch as Kirk Hammett plays a strange, feedback-full solo, and his guitar is stolen from the crowd. This goes to show what kind of energy dominated at Metallica shows, even this early on. Pretty funny stuff.

Metal Militia Same as above --
The final track on this video is a crazy version of Metal Militia which turns into a jam halfway through.. Watch as James Hetfield throws a copy of their recently released first LP into the audience and eggs the crowd on. The video abruptly stops, which is a shame, but it's still a pretty good, funny performance.

Overall, this video is simply amazing. Cliff Burton's amazing bass ability was certainly displayed here. This video is worth the $20, folks. Highly recommended.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older