Metallica
ListenHit the Lights · 1982
Metallica — “Hit the Lights,” first Metal Massacre pressing recording.
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1982 · Metal Blade Records
Metal Massacre
Metallica’s first appearance on record began with a promise of a place on someone else’s album. Brian Slagel was assembling a compilation of unsigned bands when Lars Ulrich asked whether an original song from a band he put together could be included. [1]
| Accession | OMMA-0038 |
|---|---|
| Artist | Various artists; Metallica on “Hit the Lights” |
| Release | 1982 · United States |
| Label | Metal Blade Records · MBR 1001 |
| Format | 12-inch vinyl compilation LP · stereo |
| Issue | First US edition |
| Runouts | Not documented |
| Recorded grade | VG+ |
Release history and significance
Slagel agreed. Ulrich had been playing covers with James Hetfield and friends; the offer gave their new group a concrete destination for its own music. “Hit the Lights,” the first song Hetfield and Ulrich wrote together, closed the original ten-track Metal Massacre when it appeared on 14 June 1982. [1]
This was a snapshot of a wider scene. Ratt, Steeler, Malice, Bitch and others shared the record, while Metallica’s name appeared as “Mettallica.” The first edition includes the early “Hit the Lights” recording associated with Lloyd Grant; later pressings changed the programme and the Metallica recording. [1] [2]
The compilation preserves a moment when the future was still open: an independent label’s first release and a new band’s opportunity to put one song before listeners. [1]
Market context
Discogs records sales for the first MBR 1001 edition from US$120.00 to US$1,081.08, with a median of US$451.74, as recorded on 14 September 2026. [2]
Physical Description
Black-vinyl LP with the black skull cover and silver-and-black typeset labels. The first edition includes Ratt and Steeler, omits Black ’N Blue, and names only Metal Blade Records on the reverse. [2]
Condition
The disc was graded Very Good Plus at acquisition; the sleeve was graded Near Mint.
Provenance
Acquired through Discogs from seller black_fate on 18 August 2025.
Sources
- Metallica, Metal Blade Records Celebrates 40 Years with Re-Release of Metal Massacre. 23 February 2022. Original release date and Brian Slagel’s account of offering Lars Ulrich a place on the compilation.
- Discogs, Various — Metal Massacre, release 810749. Edition reference and sales statistics consulted 14 September 2026.
Catalogue text reviewed 14 September 2026.