No Life Til Leather: A Tribute To Metallica’s Kill’em All Review
No Life Til Leather: A Tribute To Metallica’s Kill’em All
Various Artists
Silver Lining Music
2025
Here’s another tribute I didn’t realize I needed in my life, a full-blown homage to Metallica’s debut, “Kill’em All!” I’m not gonna lie, it’s been a while since I spun the original. Back in the day, I played the absolute dogshit out of that record, so it’s not something I reach for often anymore. Still, it’s one of those albums that gives me a nostalgic gut punch every time I think about it. I’ve got the OG pressing thanks to a good friend, and it’s one of my prized possessions. I’m still waiting for someone to properly remaster that beast, though - every attempt I’ve heard so far falls short. Just my two cents.
Now, diving into this tribute, there’s a lot to unpack - a mix of newer faces and bona fide legends. Depending on your taste, some tracks will move the meter harder than others, but let me tell you, there’s plenty here to bang your head to.
Right off the bat, Motorhead’s version of “Whiplash” is a Goddamn highlight. You can’t mess with Motorhead - period. Without them, there’s no Metallica, so having them on this album feels right. Lemmy’s bass tone and vocals are lethal - pure sonic adrenaline. He was firing on all cylinders when this was recorded, and it shows.
NWOBHM titans Raven storm in with a blazing rendition of “Metal Militia,” and holy hell, they might’ve played it faster than Metallica did. Or maybe I’m just getting my ass kicked harder these days. Either way, it rips.
Diamond Head make their presence known with “No Remorse,” giving it a slightly slower, more vintage vibe, like it was recorded in 1982. The grit and tone fit perfectly, and it’s a cool nod to their own influence on early Metallica.
Then there’s Testament, who annihilate “Seek & Destroy.” They dial the tempo down just enough to make it heavier, and Chuck Billy’s vocals tower over the mix. Testament has always belonged in the same conversation as Metallica; Big 4 politics be damned. Their version here is a masterclass - no prisoners taken, no mercy given.
Saxon tackle “Phantom Lord,” and here’s where I might ruffle some feathers, I prefer their version over Metallica’s. Yeah, I said it. It just hits different. If Saxon attacked all their songs with this kind of fire, I’d probably worship every album they’ve ever made.
Another gem is The Almighty doing “The Four Horsemen.” It’s a riff-heavy feast that captures everything great about old-school metal. The chorus is massive, the energy’s contagious, and it’s damn good to hear a new recording from them after all this time.
Tailgunner kick the album off with “Hit the Lights,” and holy shit, what an opener. I’d heard their name floating around but never dove in. After this performance, I’ve been digging through their catalog, and these young guns are the real deal. Mark my words, they’re destined for bigger things.
Tygers of Pan Tang take on “Jump in the Fire,” and while it’s played straight, the high-register vocals don’t quite hook me. Maybe it’s just a stylistic mismatch, but it’s still solid enough.
Finally, there’s David Ellefson covering “(Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth.” Let’s be real, this is sacred ground, one of the most iconic bass pieces in all of Metal. And if anyone was going to pull it off with respect and skill, it’s Ellefson. His take is classy, reverent, and technically on point. You can tell he approached it with nothing but love for Cliff Burton. Somewhere up there, Cliff’s grinning.
We’ve had plenty of Metallica tributes over the years, but none have felt this right. This isn’t just a cash-grab or nostalgia trip; it’s a legitimate celebration of one of the most influential Metal albums ever. Every band here earned their place. Vinyl and CD versions are on the way, so if you’re a Metallica diehard, this one’s a no-brainer. Crank it, worship it, and raise a beer to the Metal gods “Kill’em All” lives again.