Get Thrashed!: The Story of Thrash Metal

Speaking as someone who was part of the thrash scene from around 1984 to 1990, I can safely say that this documentary kicks @#$%ing ass. It's about as in-depth as you could get in the space of 90 min. or two hours or however long it is. If I have any complaint, it's that they spend almost zero time on the "punk" side of thrash, the hardcore side. DRI make a couple of extremely brief appearances and COC is at least mentioned, but other than that this is almost entirely focused on the metal side of thrash. They really gloss over the fact that it was a bona fide crossover scene, with punks and metal heads meeting in the middle. This was something none of us saw coming in 1982. Back then we thought our two sides would be at war for eternity.While the earlier roots of Motorhead, Venom and the NWOBHM are briefly acknowledged, this pretty much starts with Metallica and goes from there. It's bursting with tons of footage and photos from 80s thrash gigs, and it was a real pleasure to mosh down memory lane. The bonus features cover even more bands, a lot of bands that I knew of but never got to hear, and even a couple of bands that I was never even aware of... which is impressive, if I may say so myself. Unfortunately, the bonus section doesn't feature any actual music, so I'm now finding myself buying here at Amazon and eBay so I can find out what I missed. And finally, I also value this doc because, being so out of touch with today's music scene, I had no idea that there was a sort of Thrash 2.0 scene happening right now, new bands who hate nu metal as much as I do. I might have to run out and buy an amp and get back on the horse.Heavily recommended to anyone who was part of the 80s thrash scene or is interested in it after the fact. The makers of this doc did a stellar job.

History seems to be repeating itself, and thrash is making a foothold again in the mainstream of metal, this DVD shows how the soul of thrash never did die out, it just went underground... bands like Overkill and Metallica, Exodus, and Testament never went away, and thier new releases are selling great... bring it on, bring it all on... if you are a fan of early, or current Thrash, this is the video for you...This is a great video view into the beginings of Thrash, on the west, and east coasts... Interviews with Thrash legends like Overkill, Slayer, Death Angel, Exodus, Anthrax, Testament, and new thrash acts like Municpal Waste, ans Evile bring the Thrash right to your face, so close up, and personal, you can almost SMELL the stale beer, and sweat...Begining with the west coast, bands like Metallica, Slayer and Exodus, the video delves into the roots of Thrash, and how the hair bands, and the punks had shunned the early Thrash bands, forcing Metallica to move north to the Bay Area, joining the Bay masters, Exodus, in creating the mighty metal scene there... Slayer stayed in LA, bludgeoning the "posers" into submission... when Metallica flew to New York, eventually sending Dave Mustaine packing, and bringing in Exodus guitarist Kirk Hammet, New York bands like Anthrax, and New Jersey's Overkill welcomed them into a huge scene of thier making...This vid is fantatic if you are a fan of Thrash, or even just the New York metal scene back then, as the bonus features delve into the crossover bands, and New York hardcore...Overall if you are fan of any metal, this vid will show you how it was done BEFORE the internet, and BEFORE the labels took over every aspect of music, when metal was ugly, pure, and real... it is a must see...

This is a great and long overdue documentary of the golden age of Heavy Metal. It really took me back to a time before the internet. If you were around to experience the music and the scene back then or if you are a metal fan of any kind...this is a must see. Great music, interviews and footage/pictures featuring some of the greatest bands of all times. The only reason why I'm giving it only 4 stars is that there is a little too much Metallica bashing. Just because they evolved and became successful they are everyone's favorite whipping boys nowadays. Yes, they get credit and props in the beginning of the movie for Kill `em all and pioneering the movement out of the underground but there are several shots taken at them throughout the whole documentary. Especially Dave Mustaine running his mouth about how great his is and how he is responsible for Metallica's and, get this, Slayer's success...ummm, yeah. Ride the Lightning, Master Of Puppets and ...and Justice for all get little to no mention at all although they are arguably some of the best and most important thrash records period. Hate Metallica all you want but if you are going to do a documentary about thrash keep your bias out of it. They are the band that still holds the metal flag up high and influenced new bands and brought new fans to the genre while most thought it was dead. What's more like selling out...sounding exactly the same over and over again with what made you successful (like Slayer) or taking risks and evolving your music even if it pisses people off? Anyway...the documentary is awesome and highly recommended for all fans of heavy music.

This documentary is little more than a long series of interviews with thrash bands commenting on other thrash bands. While it was nice to see the guys again, statements like "Dude, they ruled, you know?" or "Man, they were just extreme!" really don't provide much information.Some musicians are pathetically self-centered (Dave Mustaine making himself look stupid, yet again), others come off as genuinely interesting and likable people. Yet no-one even tries to be systematical, and the focus is almost exclusively on the US. Even Lars Ulrich, who repeatedly confessed that "without Motörhead, there'd be no Metallica", only dwells on Metallica's role, here. How to talk about the birth of thrash without mentioning Motörhead's "Overkill"? Apparently, it can be done - but it fails to be enlightening.Ninety minutes of extras sounds great - but that is really just another hour and a half of bands going on about bands, now outside of the US, and how "extreme" they all were. This disc is, literally, without any music footage! Why not play at least one song per band?!To sum up, intentions were good, no doubt, but the result is poor. Sam Dunn manages to provide five times the amount of information during the 45 minute thrash metal episode of Metal Evolution. So, unless you'll be content to have a six pack or two and listen to the boys congratulate one another, I suggest you go to Dunn, or keep looking.

This is a wonderful, nostalgic film for all us old thrashers and a great introduction to the scene for new fans. Some fascinating interviews with most of the big hitters from the scene...the main film covers 6 or 7 bands in detail ( Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer, Megadeth, Exodus, Kreator, Suicidal Tendencies and Pantera ( the latter of whom had too much time IMO ) ) alongside detailed investigations into the creation of the genre, it`s fans, fashion and impact.The bonus feature goes on for ages and covers a good bulk of the rest of the scene. The only down point is the lack of actual music from the bands...especially on the extras. I guess there was a rights issue. But overall it doesn`t matter too much, the documentary is fantatic on it`s own and I guess most of us have all those old Cds to listen to anytime!

fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! , what can you no like about this dvd , i think ive watched it everyday since i bought it!, hits the nail on the head. pull on your white high top sneakers and your tight jeans and bullet belt and buy this dvd you wont be dissapointed!. i grew up as a teenager in the mid-late 80"s and this dvd captures the whole scene as it emerged. the extras are worth the price of the dvd alone in my view. buy buy buy or die!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I bought Metal: a Headbangers journey first and loved it. This was more of the same but somehow seemed a little lacklustre. It was ok but too much of the same that I have already seen.Was good though if you just love your thrash and want to see some of the earlier interviews and clips from the era.

Great footage from the 'big four' plus the other Bay Area legends. Well worth getting and a really interesting look into the early thrash metal scene.