Murder in the Front Row Shots from the Bay Area Thrash Metal Epicenter [Hardcover]

In the 1980s, the San Francisco Bay Area was heaven for hardcore headbangers. Shunning Hollywood hairspray and image in favor of a more dangerous street appeal, the Bay Area thrash metal scene was home toExodus,Metallica,Testament,Possessed,Death Angel,Heathen,Vio-Lence,Attitude Adjustment, Forbidden, andBlind Illusion— and served as a second home to like-minded similar bands likeSlayer,Mercyful Fate,Anthrax,Megadeth, and more. Beginning as teenagers taking snapshots of visiting heavy metal bands during the 1970s, Brian Umlaut Lew and Harald O. Oimoen documented the birth and growth of the local metal scene. Featuring hundreds of unseen live and candid color and black-and-white photographs,Murder in the Front Rowcaptures the wild-eyed zeal and drive that madeMetallica,Slayer, andMegadethinto legends, with over 100 million combined records sold.

Top 15 Books of 2011,Guitar World

The Most Metal Books of 2011,Revolver

Book of the Year,20 Buck Spin

“Awesome” —Robb Flynn, Machine Head

“Awesome” —Brian Slagel, Metal Blade Records

Awesome —Phil Demmel, Machine Head

“F------ awesome” —Kerry King, Slayer

“Great” —Lars Ulrich, Metallica

Great book! —Jean-Yves Blacky Thériault, Voivod

“AMAZING” —Alex Skolnick, Testament

“Thank you for writing this book! It’s the definitive story of the scene and what we managed to make of it here in the Bay Area.” —Kirk Hammett, Metallica

“Murder in the Front Row captures the true essence of thrash metal in its embryonic stage. These photographs take me on a tour down memory lane, bringing back many laughs and prompting l#§