The ’80s had arrived. Disco was dead, and for many, new wave synth wasn’t cutting it. People hungered for a new sound. Before hip-hop would take shape in the region, thrash metal was born in the Bay Area. If you aren’t familiar with the Bay Area thrash metal scene, “Murder In The Front Row: The San Francisco Bay Area Thrash Metal Story“— based on photographer Brian Lew and metal bassist and photographer Harald Oimoen‘s semi-eponymous book— is a phenomenal, in-depth look at a genre of music that spawned such musical heavy-metal legends as Metallica, Slayer, Exodus, andMegadeth.

Skillfully directed by Adam Dubin (“A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica“) and narrated by comedian and metal-head Brian Posehn, the rockumentary contains interviews from almost every living major player from the Bay Area thrash metal movement— Metallica’s James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett, Testament’s Alex Skolnick, Megadeth founder Dave Mustaine— and a whos-who of musicians from notable thrash bands such as Slayer, Anthrax, Suicidal Tendencies, Machine Head and more. An introductory course to thrash metal, “Murder In The Front Row” serves as a comprehensive retrospective for hardcore fans, and an endearing homage to the trailblazing artists that molded the scene. The film’s most substantial accomplishment, however, is editor Sean Fullan‘s ability to weave together unearthed memories—manifested in picture collages, old video clips, and sound bites— through impressive animation and Posehn’s predominantly consistent narration.

Read the rest of the review at The Playlist.