Tired of Disco and the stadium-corporate-mainstream Rock that dominated the airwaves in the late 1970s, teens throughout the U. S. wanted music that was faster, louder and more intense, something that they could call their own. Hearing about and listening to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal but being unable to watch those bands live due to geography what did the kids do? Form band's of their own! Documenting this great and influential scene filmmaker Adam Dubin relives the origins and eventual breakthrough of the movement called Thrash that elevated Heavy Metal music to one of its most successful peaks both artistically and commercially.
Blasting forth with the ascent of Metallica, the foremost band of the scene the film depicts a community of men and women who hung out, formed bands, jammed and partied like no other. With interviews of band members, friends, writers, label owners, scenesters, etc., the doc showcases a highly creative and vibrant scene that thrived on great music and a lot of beer and wanton destruction (and a whole lot of fun in doing so!). Images and archival footage show priceless photos and vids of great bands like Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Exodus, Testament, etc., hanging out and ripping it up onstage with rabid appreciative fans moshing and stage-diving in communal frenzy. Great music is the soundtrack and it's great to see James Hetfield, Dave Mustaine, Tom Araya, Gary Holt, Alex Skolnick and a host of others relive the glory days of their youth and the music. The fanzines and tape trading that were a huge part on why the music flourished are touched on not to mention the few ladies who were a big part of the scene including the one of a kind Debbie Abono who served as both manager and mother figure to the motley group of monsters.
With its direct, no nonsense approach that gives off a cool, somewhat amateurish vibe, "Murder in the Front Row: The San Francisco Bay Area Thrash Metal Story" is an essential documentary on one of the most seminal and important genres in Rock history. This is one every crazed Rock fan and unhinged metalshead should watch and bang his head to. Two devil's horns up!
