Murder in the Front Row: Shots from the Bay Area Thrash Metal Epicenter Hardcover – January 24, 2012

This book surpassed my expectations in every way. When it arrived the box was so heavy I didn't realize it was the book I had ordered! It is oversized with a thick hardcover binding like an academic book and it's all here, the early thrash scene bands included: Metallica (a lot of photos of them), Megadeth (early photos of them with Kerry King on guitar), Exodus, Slayer, Legacy/Testament, Possessed, Death Angel, Vio-lence, Spastic Children (Metallica's humorous side project) and few more escapees inserting themselves into various group shots. Some of these shots I've seen before and just as many I have not. It's amazing to have them all here and to see these bands the way I remember them, just groups of guys who loved thrash music.The write-ups were incredible, I enjoyed reading the stories of Harold O., Brian Lew, Ron Quintana, Alex Skolnick, and Gary Holt. It's actually something worth reading as opposed to just some boring random inserts. There are also some pics of old flyers, postcards and set lists as well. This really is the bible of these bands in their infancy, if you were part of this as an old fan, you will have to own this, you probably already do. If you love these bands now and weren't around then, you must buy this and see how it all started. It really did come out of a love for a new kind of music, this was long before stretch limos, Rolling Stone interviews and music awards; I don't even think the members themselves knew how big it would all eventually be. I think that is part of what makes this book so incredible, the purity of it all. I highly recommend it, tons of glossy photos, a nice sturdy binding, something you'll enjoy.

An amazing collection of photos from a legendary time in Bay Area (and ultimately global) thrash metal history. More great shots than you can imagine and a stellar account of the origins of so many legendary bands. Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Testament, Possessed, Forbidden, Death Angel. You really get to see how the lines between fans and bands ceased to exist and it was all about the music and the cause. It's a great thing that these pictures have been unleashed after so many years. From what I understand, there are more shots where these came from so I can only hope the next volume is as epic as this one. Adding to the greatness of this book are the first-hand accounts and stories from Harald, Brian, Ron Quintana, Gary Holt of Exodus, Alex Skolnick of Testament and Robb Flynn of Machinehead. Can't say enough great things about this book.Well done. "bang the head that doesn't bang". I give this book two fists!\m/ (-_-) \m/

The book it's self is great! All the five star ratings speak for themselves. However, beware of ordering this book through Amazon. They sent me a very beat up copy that appears to be used when I was lead to believe that I was purchasing a brand new copy. There is a big scratch down the spine and several dents on the cover as if someone had been poking it with a pencil. I know it is a metal book, but that doesn't mean I want it to be all beat to heck as soon as I get it. This only leaves me the option of jumping through a bunch of hassle hoops to return it for an exchange as soon as I have received it and HOPE the next one is in better shape or keep a book whose condition I am not really happy with. This is why I miss book stores and hate ordering things through the web (yes I am old). Again the book kicks ass and the pictures are amazing. That is why I have given it five stars. But beware of ordering it from amazon.

AHH, the good ol' days! I was a sophmore in high school in 1983 when a hand full of nightclubs in Berkley and San Francisco started doing all ages shows. EXODUS SLAYER DEATH ANGEL POSSESED at The Mab for $6??? For the next few years the Bay Area had the best underground Metal(and Punk) scene in America, if not the world! Early in their careers,Slayer and Megadeth played up here so often they might as well have been local bands. There wasn't any real security at the clubs in those days so the shows were WILD! If the crowd wasn't thrashing hard enogh, Paul Bayloff would insult them by saying stuff like,"My grandmother thrashes harder than you and she's DEAD!" This book captures that period more than any other product I can think of. If you were there this book is a MUST! If weren't but you loved those bands,it's by far the best document of the Bay Area Metal scene at it's peak! Grab a six pack, crank up Bonded By Blood and let this book take you back to when it all started! Cheers to Harold O and Brian Lew for FINALLY making this book. "Bang that head that does not bang!"

I received the book a day or 2 ago. Even though I was born in July 1984, I’m very much an old school thrash metal fan. I did not learn it from my parents who were born in the sixties, but from the members of Metallica past and present. I then took their influences which I learned through interviews, and then their influences taught me about the 1st wave of rock ‘n’ roll in the fifties. I already bought the DVD, so I thought it was time to buy the companion book. This is a great purchase for a fan that wants to learn more about the scene from the people that were actually there. Great purchase!

Great book

All right kiddies.For those born during or after the height of the thrash movement in the 80's, this book offers a look back into that time when fashion, big hair and lipstick ruled mainstream metal. Out of the underground came a new genre of metal. The most pure and sincere form, "Thrash". Hundreds of old photos taken mostly by Harold O. Current bass player for D.R.I. Recommended for any thrash metal enthusiast.

The photos are great quality and very up close and personal from a scene that set a pathway for generations.