A spectacular large-format 272-page view inside "the metal scene that banged those heads that did not bang" includes over 400 of some of the earliest colour and black-and-white photos of METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH, EXODUS, POSSESSED, DEATH ANGEL, LEGACY / TESTAMENT, VIO-LENCE and many others. Photographers HARALD OIMOEN and BRIAN LEW were dodging bodies from the very start, in front of the stage, backstage, and on the stage itself.

They captured the public victories and private parties of a scene where fans and musical idols were equally hellbent on faster, heavier music and endless outrageous fun. Oimoen and Lew fought on the frontline of a war for individuality, snapping frame by frame as thrash metal was born, along with stagediving, crowd-walking, and countless other magical moments filled with key local personalities.

Includes passionate personal accounts by Bay Area veterans Harald Oimoen, Brian Lew, RON QUINTANA of Metal Mania, GARY HOLT of Exodus, ALEX SKOLNICK of Testament, and ROBB FLYNN of MACHINE HEAD. From DIY origins to world domination, the Bay Area thrash metal scene screams to life in these fearless pages. 272 page hardcover.