Article By: Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker ‡ Edited By: Leanne Ridgeway
On Friday, January 19, MetalRock Films released the highly anticipated, much talked about cinematic document detailing the history of the Los Angeles metal scene, “The Rise Of L.A. Thrash Metal: Part 1“!
Directed by Bob Nalbandian with narration by David Ellefson of thrash legends Megadeth, the documentary focuses on the Los Angeles thrash metal uprising of the early to mid-1980s. It acts as a follow-up to the first two Inside Metal titles, ‘The Pioneers Of LA Hard Rock’ and ‘Metal And LA Metal Scene Explodes’.
Part 1 of the two-part doc throws a spotlight on the L.A. scene itself, the heavy metal epicenter home to three of the “Big 4” bands. There’s an impressive roster of musicians, artists, and industry insiders on the DVD, which includes (in alphabetical order):
Ann Boleyn (Hellion/New Renaissance Records), Bill Metoyer (Producer), Brian O’Brian (A La Carte), Brian Slagel (Metal Blade Records), Brian Tatler (Diamond Head), Chris Poland (Megadeth/ OHM), Craig Locicero (Forbidden), Dave Lombardo (Slayer/ Suicidal Tendencies), David Ellefson (Megadeth), Diego Negrete (MX Machine), Eric Peterson (Testament), Ernie C (Body Count), Felice Lococo & Kurt Markham (Overkill LA), Frank Bello (Anthrax), Gene Hoglan (Dark Angel/ Testament), Greg Durschlag (The Weasels), Jay Reynolds (Malice), Joey Vera (Armored Saint), John Bush (Armored Saint/ Anthrax), John Gallagher (Raven), Juan Garcia (Agent Steel/ Abattoir/ Body Count), Katon DePena (Hirax), Kevin Estrada (Photographer), Lars Ulrich (Metallica), Lloyd Grant (Defcon), Malcolm Dome (Journalist), Marty Friedman (Hawaii/ Cacophony/ Megadeth), Mike Inez (Alice In Chains), Monte Pittman (Prong/ Madonna), Peter Baltes & Wolf Hoffmann (Accept), Phil Sandoval (Armored Saint), Phyllis Pollack (Journalist), Rocky George (Suicidal Tendencies), Scott Peterson (Cryptic Slaughter), Steven Craig (former manager of Slayer & Dark Angel), Stryper (Robert Sweet, Michael Sweet, Oz Fox, Tim Gaines), Tracey “Spacey T” Singleton (Sound Barrier/ Gangland), Tracy Barnes (Radio PD), Vincent Price (Steel Prophet/ Body Count), and William Howell (KNAC Radio Host a.k.a. DJ Will, former A&R Capitol Records and Metal Blade Records).
Several video clips from The Rise Of L.A. Thrash Metal: Part 1 have recently surfaced, including ones with John Bush, Lars Ulrich, and Gene Hoglan. They are all streaming below, along with a video trailer for the documentary.
