No Life 'Til Leather - A Tribute to One of the Foundational Records That Helped Build a Genre

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By: Jay Broderick - Metallica’s Kill ‘Em All is one of those records that feels untouchable. It is part of the foundation that thrash metal was built on. So when a lineup of heavy metal favourites gather to pay tribute with No Life ‘Til Leather, the stakes are high. The compilation wisely mirrors the original track listing (minus the "Blitzkrieg" and "Am I Evil" bonus tracks that were part of the Elektra Records re-release in 1988), and while authenticity is the guiding principle, each band injects their own DNA into these classics that Silver Lining Music is bringing to our ears on November 14, 2025... just in time for Christmas!!.

The Tracks

“Hit the Lights” – Tailgunner: Faster than fast, Tailgunner open the album with a turbo-charged rendition. The duel between guitarists Zach Salvini and Rhea Thompson is a standout, though the slightly elevated tempo pulls away a little from the original.

“The Four Horsemen” – The Almighty: Imagine Metallica colliding with Paul Di’Anno-era Iron Maiden. That’s the vibe here! Epic solos, galloping riffs, and a faithful lyrical delivery. It’s one of this compilation’s strongest reinterpretations. Perhaps my favourite!

“Motorbreath” – Soen: The Swedish prog-metallers bring precision and speed, but their approach leaves the track feeling slightly off kilter. It’s solid, but just doesn't stand up to the original. I admit, it's likely unfair for me to even expect that.

“Jump in the Fire” – Tygers of Pan Tang: Vocalist Jacopo Meille channels early Hetfield with a higher-pitched, ear-splitting vocal style. kind of similar to early Dave Mustaine. If you've seen the Metallica VHS Cliff ‘Em All from back in the day, you'll find some very early footage of the band, and you should hear what I'm talking about in Hetfield's vocals. And it works brilliantly! Chalk this up as another banger!

"(Anaesthesia) Pulling Teeth" – David Ellefson: I am a huge David Ellefson fan! His bass solo here is sharp and inventive. He even throws in a snippet of the Master of Puppets instrumental opus "Orion". Still, Cliff Burton’s distorted masterpiece remains unmatched. But this is an homage to the sorely missed bassist rather than a redo of the track. And why would you even try? Ellefson deserves a massive amount of cred for taking the high road here!

“Whiplash” – Motörhead: Lemmy’s unmistakable snarl and the band’s swagger make this a mic-drop moment. With rearranged lyrics to fit “we are Motörhead,” it’s pure rock ‘n’ roll defiance. Damn... anybody miss Lemmy as much as I do?

“Phantom Lord” – Saxon: Saxon’s denim-and-leather grit doesn’t quite mesh with Metallica’s thrash ferocity. Competent? Of course! But not a perfect fit in my opinion.

“No Remorse” – Diamond Head: The circle closes here. Metallica idolized Diamond Head, witnessed in many interviews, and on the aforementioned re-release of Kill 'Em All when they covered "Am I Evil"... and now Diamond Head return the favor with a flawless cover. It’s both reverent and exhilarating.

“Seek & Destroy” – Testament: Chuck Billy sounds like he’s just stepped out of 1986. The recording is bang on to the original masterpiece, with Chuck even ominously belting out the iconic “HaHaHaHaaaaa” towards the end of the track. This is yet another highlight... ferocious and faithful! Did I previously say that "The Four Horsemen" was my favourite? I may have to rescind that with Testament's version of "Seek & Destroy".

“Metal Militia” – Raven: In 1983, to promote their debut record, Metallica co-headlined a tour with English stalwarts Raven. With a unique intro and even a nod to “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” Raven inject their own flair on Kill 'Em All's final track. It's not my favourite, but the solos and old-school vibe keep it engaging.

Final Thoughts

What makes No Life ‘Til Leather work is its balance between not changing the formula, and individual spins. Most bands lean toward authenticity, preserving the raw energy of Kill ‘Em All, while a few dare to twist the formula. When it comes to such an iconic debut album from the greatest metal band of all time (there... I said it... let the hate begin), I want what I know. While I'm not enamoured with everything on this reimagining, there are some really killer covers here. And the ones I don't love are not horrible in the least. The result is a compilation that feels both nostalgic and fresh. It's a reminder of how deeply Metallica’s debut shaped the genre.

It’s hard not to imagine a follow-up tribute for Ride the Lightning, but for now, this record stands as a worthy homage to one of metal’s most important debuts.

Release Date: November 14, 2025