For this year's Record Store Day, Metallica will release the seven-song demo that led to
the band's first record deal. But the seven tracks won't be on vinyl, at least
not initially – they'll be on cassette.
No Life 'til
Leather, recorded in Tustin, Calif., in 1982, is perhaps the most widely
bootlegged of all Metallica's demos, but it has never seen an official
commercial release. The recordings were made with the group's original lineup — James Hetfield on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Lars Ulrich on drums, Dave Mustaine on lead guitar and Ron McGovneyon bass. Different versions of the tape's seven songs
appeared on the group's debut album, Kill 'Em All.
"This year we
decided to celebrate Record Store Day with our friends at independent retail by
taking a huge leap back in time to our humble beginnings with that little
rectangle of plastic known as the 'demo tape,' " the band says in a news
release. "In 1982 we recorded seven songs that became our initial calling
card known as No Life 'til
Leather and it led us to our first record
deal ... the rest, as you some of you may know, is history! We hope you enjoy
this little walk down memory lane with us and that you will continue to join us
in supporting independent record stores around the world."
Expanded versions
of the limited-edition release, which would include CD, vinyl and a collector's
set, are expected this summer. This year's Record Store Day is April 18.
The track listing
for No Life 'til Leather follows:
1. Hit the Lights
2. The Mechanix
3. Motorbreath
4. Seek & Destroy
5. Metal Militia
6. Jump in the Fire
7. Phantom Lord
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