The metal genre has a fascinating history, and “The Rise of L.A. Thrash Metal” is a new Inside Metal documentary DVD series that digs into the depths of the ’80s Los Angeles thrash metal and punk scenes. The film is packed with big names, including narration by Megadeth bass player David Ellefson and interviews with Lars Ulrich of Metallica, Dave Lombardo of Slayer and Suicidal Tendencies, Frank Bello of Anthrax, Rocky George of Suicidal Tendencies, Vincent Price of Body Count, Chris Poland of Megadeth and OHM and members of Stryper, to name a few.
The film, directed by Bob Nalbandian, discusses the Los Angeles thrash metal rising in the early and mid-’80s. “Throughout history, the San Francisco Bay Area has long been deemed as the epicenter for thrash metal, but this DVD explores the idea that Los Angeles is the rightful birthplace of three of the ‘Big 4’ thrash bands and is the breeding grounds for unconventional thrash/punk-metal bands,” a press statement explains.
In a clip from the film, Ulrich discusses the bond between metal and punk in that ’80s Los Angeles music scene.
“I think that there was probably a common bond against whatever it was that was going on in Hollywood at that time,” the Metallica drummer explains. “With the fakeness and the make-believe of all these glam bands, and the shallowness of all that type of stuff, that the punks and the heavier metal dudes could kinda bond together against that.”
“The Rise of L.A. Thrash Metal” is a two-part DVD. The first part will arrive on DVD Friday (Jan. 19), and the second part is expected to arrive in March.
