Metallica will be releasing a limited edition cassette of their previously unreleased album No Life ’til Leather on April 18 in honor of Record Store Day.
The album was recorded in California in 1982, just a year after Metallica formed. The seven tracks were recorded by the original lineup of vocalist James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist Ron McGovney. The collection of songs has previously only been available via bootleg copies, but never commercially. This April, on Record Store Day, fans can buy the limited edition cassette tape on Metallica’s website or at a participating record store. This summer, the band plans to release expanded versions on CD, vinyl and a collector’s set.
Metallica released a statement about their decision to finally release the demo tape: “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.” 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.”
The legendary rock band performed at BlizzCon in November 2014, then released pro-shot footage of the concert for those who missed it. They will also be playing a number of European festivals throughout 2015. In May, Metallica will play the Grüne Hölle Rock Festival and the Rockavaria Festival, both in Germany. In June, they will play Austria’s Rock In Vienna Festival, as well as Sonisphere Italy. Finally, they play the UK’s Reading/Leeds Festival in August.
No Life ’til Leather
01. Hit The Lights
02. The Mechanix
03. Motorbreath
04. Seek & Destroy
05. Metal Militia
06. Jump In The Fire
07. Phantom Lord