Reviews
Top 15 Books of 2011, Guitar World The Most Metal Books of 2011, Revolver Book of the Year, 20 Buck Spin Awesome" — Robb Flynn, Machine Head Awesome" — Brian Slagel, Metal Blade Records "Awesome"— Phil Demmel, Machine Head F------ awesome" — Kerry King, Slayer Great" — Lars Ulrich, Metallica "Great book!"— Jean-Yves "Blacky" Thériault, Voivod AMAZING" — Alex Skolnick, Testament Thank you for writing this book! It's the definitive story of the scene and what we managed to make of it here in the Bay Area." — Kirk Hammett, Metallica Murder in the Front Row captures the true essence of thrash metal in its embryonic stage. These photographs take me on a tour down memory lane, bringing back many laughs and prompting comments like: ‘I don't remember that!'" — Dave Lombardo, Slayer I strongly recommend this book for anyone interested in the early days of California thrash metal."— Ron McGovney, ex-Metallica "Serious Pulitzer material."— Creative Loafing "By far, the greatest photo book on any music scene I've ever seen. The bands themselves couldn't have put out a more exhaustive and detailed account of the period."— The Huffington Post [CA] A photographic odyssey through the inception of Bay Area thrash" — San Francisco Chronicle Gorgeous" — SF Weekly A collection of stunning, intimate photographs from the infancy of thrash metal." — SF Bay Guardian Vivid images of thrash bands onstage, backstage, at drinking binges and essentially everywhere else" — Metro Silicon Valley The authentic, heads-down attack of a raft of seminal bands is superbly captured"—PopMattters "This is a gift from the metal gods themselves... you need this book in your life right now."— Terrorizer [5/5 review] "Gaze ye into Harald Oimoen and Brian Lew's tome of the Bay Area's thrash breeding grounds and you might never wake up. It's mostly early Slayer and Metallica gunning, but it still feels like a window onto Asgard."— Metal Hammer "Probably the best photographs of thrash metal's mythic birthing that have ever existed. You should do yourself a favor and pick up Murder In the Front Row immediately."—Noisey "Perhaps the final word on thrash metal's humble beginnings... a true joy"— The Montreal Mirror "Pure gold for metal fans" — Decibel Magazine "A thick, beautiful book that captures a special moment in time"— A.P. "KILLER photos… [a] must read book."—AOL Noisecreep "Granted, much of what's being shown is beer bottles, sneers and middle fingers, but it sure does tell a story."— The Maine Edge Enormous historic intensity on every page…every image in Murder in the Front Row hits you like brass knuckles." — Sweden Rock [10/10 review] "Awesome... I give this book my highest rating."— MAXIMUM ROCKNROLL Harald O., the craziest photographer of all" — BAM, Top 15 Books of 2011, Guitar World The Most Metal Books of 2011, Revolver Book of the Year, 20 Buck Spin Awesome"— Robb Flynn, Machine Head Awesome"— Brian Slagel, Metal Blade Records F------ awesome"— Kerry King, Slayer Great"— Lars Ulrich, Metallica AMAZING"— Alex Skolnick, Testament I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE THIS BOOK!!!"— Kirk Hammett, Metallica Murder in the Front Row captures the true essence of thrash metal in its embryonic stage. These photographs take me on a tour down memory lane, bringing back many laughs and prompting comments like: ‘I don't remember that!'"— Dave Lombardo, Slayer A photographic odyssey through the inception of Bay Area thrash"— San Francisco Chronicle Gorgeous"— SF Weekly A collection of stunning, intimate photographs from the infancy of thrash metal."— SF Bay Guardian Vivid images of thrash bands onstage, backstage, at drinking binges and essentially everywhere else"— Metro Silicon Valley "Pure gold for metal fans"- Decibel Magazine Enormous historic intensity on every page…every image in Murder in the Front Row hits you like brass knuckles."— Sweden Rock [10/10 review] Harald O., the craziest photographer of all"— BAM, Top 15 Books of 2011, Guitar World The Most Metal Books of 2011, Revolver Book of the Year, 20 Buck Spin "Awesome" -- Robb Flynn, Machine Head "Awesome" -- Brian Slagel, Metal Blade Records "Awesome"-- Phil Demmel, Machine Head "F------ awesome" -- Kerry King, Slayer "Great" -- Lars Ulrich, Metallica "Great book!"-- Jean-Yves "Blacky" Thériault, Voivod "AMAZING" -- Alex Skolnick, Testament "Thank you for writing this book! It's the definitive story of the scene and what we managed to make of it here in the Bay Area." -- Kirk Hammett, Metallica "Murder in the Front Row captures the true essence of thrash metal in its embryonic stage. These photographs take me on a tour down memory lane, bringing back many laughs and prompting comments like: 'I don't remember that!'" -- Dave Lombardo, Slayer "Serious Pulitzer material."-- Creative Loafing "By far, the greatest photo book on any music scene I've ever seen. The bands themselves couldn't have put out a more exhaustive and detailed account of the period."-- The Huffington Post [CA] "A photographic odyssey through the inception of Bay Area thrash" -- San Francisco Chronicle "Gorgeous" -- SF Weekly "A collection of stunning, intimate photographs from the infancy of thrash metal." -- SF Bay Guardian "Vivid images of thrash bands onstage, backstage, at drinking binges and essentially everywhere else" -- Metro Silicon Valley "The authentic, heads-down attack of a raft of seminal bands is superbly captured"--PopMattters "This is a gift from the metal gods themselves... you need this book in your life right now."-- Terrorizer [5/5 review] "Gaze ye into Harald Oimoen and Brian Lew's tome of the Bay Area's thrash breeding grounds and you might never wake up. It's mostly early Slayer and Metallica gunning, but it still feels like a window onto Asgard."-- Metal Hammer "Probably the best photographs of thrash metal's mythic birthing that have ever existed. You should do yourself a favor and pick up Murder In the Front Row immediately."--Noisey "Perhaps the final word on thrash metal's humble beginnings... a true joy"-- The Montreal Mirror "Pure gold for metal fans" -- Decibel Magazine "A thick, beautiful book that captures a special moment in time"-- A.P. "KILLER photos... [a] must read book."--AOL Noisecreep "Granted, much of what's being shown is beer bottles, sneers and middle fingers, but it sure does tell a story."-- The Maine Edge "Enormous historic intensity on every page...every image in Murder in the Front Row hits you like brass knuckles." -- Sweden Rock [10/10 review] "Awesome... I give this book my highest rating."-- MAXIMUM ROCKNROLL "Harald O., the craziest photographer of all" -- BAM, Top 15 Books of 2011, Guitar World The Most Metal Books of 2011, Revolver Book of the Year, 20 Buck Spin "Awesome" -- Robb Flynn, Machine Head "Awesome" -- Brian Slagel, Metal Blade Records "Awesome"-- Phil Demmel, Machine Head "F------ awesome" -- Kerry King, Slayer "Great" -- Lars Ulrich, Metallica "Great book!"-- Jean-Yves "Blacky" Thériault, Voivod "AMAZING" -- Alex Skolnick, Testament "Thank you for writing this book! It's the definitive story of the scene and what we managed to make of it here in the Bay Area." -- Kirk Hammett, Metallica "Murder in the Front Row captures the true essence of thrash metal in its embryonic stage. These photographs take me on a tour down memory lane, bringing back many laughs and prompting comments like: 'I don't remember that!'" -- Dave Lombardo, Slayer "I strongly recommend this book for anyone interested in the early days of California thrash metal. It's great looking at pictures of myself with that poodle perm I had in 1982!"-- Ron McGovney, Metallica "Serious Pulitzer material."-- Creative Loafing "By far, the greatest photo book on any music scene I've ever seen. The bands themselves couldn't have put out a more exhaustive and detailed account of the period."-- The Huffington Post [CA] "A photographic odyssey through the inception of Bay Area thrash" -- San Francisco Chronicle "Gorgeous" -- SF Weekly "A collection of stunning, intimate photographs from the infancy of thrash metal." -- SF Bay Guardian "Vivid images of thrash bands onstage, backstage, at drinking binges and essentially everywhere else" -- Metro Silicon Valley "The authentic, heads-down attack of a raft of seminal bands is superbly captured"--PopMattters "This is a gift from the metal gods themselves... you need this book in your life right now."-- Terrorizer [5/5 review] "Gaze ye into Harald Oimoen and Brian Lew's tome of the Bay Area's thrash breeding grounds and you might never wake up. It's mostly early Slayer and Metallica gunning, but it still feels like a window onto Asgard."-- Metal Hammer "Probably the best photographs of thrash metal's mythic birthing that have ever existed. You should do yourself a favor and pick up Murder In the Front Row immediately."--Noisey "Perhaps the final word on thrash metal's humble beginnings... a true joy"-- The Montreal Mirror "Pure gold for metal fans" -- Decibel Magazine "A thick, beautiful book that captures a special moment in time"-- A.P. "KILLER photos... [a] must read book."--AOL Noisecreep "Granted, much of what's being shown is beer bottles, sneers and middle fingers, but it sure does tell a story."-- The Maine Edge "Enormous historic intensity on every page...every image in Murder in the Front Row hits you like brass knuckles." -- Sweden Rock [10/10 review] "Awesome... I give this book my highest rating."-- MAXIMUM ROCKNROLL "Harald O., the craziest photographer of all" -- BAM, Top 15 Books of 2011, Guitar World The Most Metal Books of 2011, Revolver Book of the Year, 20 Buck Spin Awesome" — Robb Flynn, Machine Head Awesome" — Brian Slagel, Metal Blade Records "Awesome"— Phil Demmel, Machine Head F------ awesome" — Kerry King, Slayer Great" — Lars Ulrich, Metallica "Great book!"— Jean-Yves "Blacky" Thériault, Voivod AMAZING" — Alex Skolnick, Testament Thank you for writing this book! It's the definitive story of the scene and what we managed to make of it here in the Bay Area." — Kirk Hammett, Metallica Murder in the Front Row captures the true essence of thrash metal in its embryonic stage. These photographs take me on a tour down memory lane, bringing back many laughs and prompting comments like: #145;I don't remember that!'" — Dave Lombardo, Slayer "Serious Pulitzer material."— Creative Loafing "By far, the greatest photo book on any music scene I've ever seen. The bands themselves couldn't have put out a more exhaustive and detailed account of the period."— The Huffington Post [CA] A photographic odyssey through the inception of Bay Area thrash" — San Francisco Chronicle Gorgeous" — SF Weekly A collection of stunning, intimate photographs from the infancy of thrash metal." — SF Bay Guardian Vivid images of thrash bands onstage, backstage, at drinking binges and essentially everywhere else" — Metro Silicon Valley The authentic, heads-down attack of a raft of seminal bands is superbly captured"—PopMattters "This is a gift from the metal gods themselves... you need this book in your life right now."— Terrorizer [5/5 review] "Gaze ye into Harald Oimoen and Brian Lew's tome of the Bay Area's thrash breeding grounds and you might never wake up. It's mostly early Slayer and Metallica gunning, but it still feels like a window onto Asgard."— Metal Hammer "Probably the best photographs of thrash metal's mythic birthing that have ever existed. You should do yourself a favor and pick up Murder In the Front Row immediately."—Noisey "Perhaps the final word on thrash metal's humble beginnings... a true joy"— The Montreal Mirror "Pure gold for metal fans" — Decibel Magazine "A thick, beautiful book that captures a special moment in time"— A.P. "KILLER photos… [a] must read book."—AOL Noisecreep "Granted, much of what's being shown is beer bottles, sneers and middle fingers, but it sure does tell a story."— The Maine Edge Enormous historic intensity on every page…every image in Murder in the Front Row hits you like brass knuckles." — Sweden Rock [10/10 review] "Awesome... I give this book my highest rating."— MAXIMUM ROCKNROLL Harald O., the craziest photographer of all" — BAM, Top 15 Books of 2011, Guitar World The Most Metal Books of 2011, Revolver Book of the Year, 20 Buck Spin Awesome" — Robb Flynn, Machine Head Awesome" — Brian Slagel, Metal Blade Records "Awesome"— Phil Demmel, Machine Head F------ awesome" — Kerry King, Slayer Great" — Lars Ulrich, Metallica "Great book!"— Jean-Yves "Blacky" Thériault, Voivod AMAZING" — Alex Skolnick, Testament Thank you for writing this book! It's the definitive story of the scene and what we managed to make of it here in the Bay Area." — Kirk Hammett, Metallica Murder in the Front Row captures the true essence of thrash metal in its embryonic stage. These photographs take me on a tour down memory lane, bringing back many laughs and prompting comments like: ‘I don't remember that!'" — Dave Lombardo, Slayer "I strongly recommend this book for anyone interested in the early days of California thrash metal. It's great looking at pictures of myself with that poodle perm I had in 1982!"— Ron McGovney, Metallica "Serious Pulitzer material."— Creative Loafing "By far, the greatest photo book on any music scene I've ever seen. The bands themselves couldn't have put out a more exhaustive and detailed account of the period."— The Huffington Post [CA] A photographic odyssey through the inception of Bay Area thrash" — San Francisco Chronicle Gorgeous" — SF Weekly A collection of stunning, intimate photographs from the infancy of thrash metal." — SF Bay Guardian Vivid images of thrash bands onstage, backstage, at drinking binges and essentially everywhere else" — Metro Silicon Valley The authentic, heads-down attack of a raft of seminal bands is superbly captured"—PopMattters "This is a gift from the metal gods themselves... you need this book in your life right now."— Terrorizer [5/5 review] "Gaze ye into Harald Oimoen and Brian Lew's tome of the Bay Area's thrash breeding grounds and you might never wake up. It's mostly early Slayer and Metallica gunning, but it still feels like a window onto Asgard."— Metal Hammer "Probably the best photographs of thrash metal's mythic birthing that have ever existed. You should do yourself a favor and pick up Murder In the Front Row immediately."—Noisey "Perhaps the final word on thrash metal's humble beginnings... a true joy"— The Montreal Mirror "Pure gold for metal fans" — Decibel Magazine "A thick, beautiful book that captures a special moment in time"— A.P. "KILLER photos… [a] must read book."—AOL Noisecreep "Granted, much of what's being shown is beer bottles, sneers and middle fingers, but it sure does tell a story."— The Maine Edge Enormous historic intensity on every page…every image in Murder in the Front Row hits you like brass knuckles." — Sweden Rock [10/10 review] "Awesome... I give this book my highest rating."— MAXIMUM ROCKNROLL Harald O., the craziest photographer of all" — BAM, Top 15 Books of 2011, Guitar World The Most Metal Books of 2011, Revolver Book of the Year, 20 Buck Spin "Awesome" -- Robb Flynn, Machine Head "Awesome" -- Brian Slagel, Metal Blade Records "Awesome"-- Phil Demmel, Machine Head "F------ awesome" -- Kerry King, Slayer "Great" -- Lars Ulrich, Metallica "Great book! Jean-Yves "Blacky" Thériault, Voivod "AMAZING" -- Alex Skolnick, Testament "Thank you for writing this book! It's the definitive story of the scene and what we managed to make of it here in the Bay Area." -- Kirk Hammett, Metallica "Murder in the Front Row captures the true essence of thrash metal in its embryonic stage. These photographs take me on a tour down memory lane, bringing back many laughs and prompting comments like: 'I don't remember that!'" -- Dave Lombardo, Slayer "A photographic odyssey through the inception of Bay Area thrash" -- San Francisco Chronicle "Gorgeous" -- SF Weekly "A collection of stunning, intimate photographs from the infancy of thrash metal." -- SF Bay Guardian "Vivid images of thrash bands onstage, backstage, at drinking binges and essentially everywhere else" -- Metro Silicon Valley "The authentic, heads-down attack of a raft of seminal bands is superbly captured"--PopMattters "Perhaps the final word on thrash metal's humble beginnings... a true joy"-- The Montreal Mirror "Pure gold for metal fans" -- Decibel Magazine "A thick, beautiful book that captures a special moment in time"-- Alternative Press "Granted, much of what's being shown is beer bottles, sneers and middle fingers, but it sure does tell a story."-- The Maine Edge "Enormous historic intensity on every page...every image in Murder in the Front Row hits you like brass knuckles." -- Sweden Rock [10/10 review] "Awesome... I give this book my highest rating."-- MAXIMUM ROCKNROLL "Harald O., the craziest photographer of all" -- BAM, Top 15 Books of 2011, Guitar World The Most Metal Books of 2011, Revolver Book of the Year, 20 Buck Spin Awesome" — Robb Flynn, Machine Head Awesome" — Brian Slagel, Metal Blade Records "Awesome"— Phil Demmel, Machine Head F------ awesome" — Kerry King, Slayer Great" — Lars Ulrich, Metallica AMAZING" — Alex Skolnick, Testament I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE THIS BOOK!!!" — Kirk Hammett, Metallica Murder in the Front Row captures the true essence of thrash metal in its embryonic stage. These photographs take me on a tour down memory lane, bringing back many laughs and prompting comments like: ‘I don't remember that!'" — Dave Lombardo, Slayer A photographic odyssey through the inception of Bay Area thrash" — San Francisco Chronicle Gorgeous" — SF Weekly A collection of stunning, intimate photographs from the infancy of thrash metal." — SF Bay Guardian Vivid images of thrash bands onstage, backstage, at drinking binges and essentially everywhere else" — Metro Silicon Valley "Pure gold for metal fans" - Decibel Magazine Enormous historic intensity on every page…every image in Murder in the Front Row hits you like brass knuckles." — Sweden Rock [10/10 review] Harald O., the craziest photographer of all" — BAM, Top 15 Books of 2011, Guitar World The Most Metal Books of 2011, Revolver Book of the Year, 20 Buck Spin "Awesome" -- Robb Flynn, Machine Head "Awesome" -- Brian Slagel, Metal Blade Records "Awesome"-- Phil Demmel, Machine Head "F------ awesome" -- Kerry King, Slayer "Great" -- Lars Ulrich, Metallica "AMAZING" -- Alex Skolnick, Testament "Thank you for writing this book! It's the definitive story of the scene and what we managed to make of it here in the Bay Area." -- Kirk Hammett, Metallica "Murder in the Front Row captures the true essence of thrash metal in its embryonic stage. These photographs take me on a tour down memory lane, bringing back many laughs and prompting comments like: 'I don't remember that!'" -- Dave Lombardo, Slayer "A photographic odyssey through the inception of Bay Area thrash" -- San Francisco Chronicle "Gorgeous" -- SF Weekly "A collection of stunning, intimate photographs from the infancy of thrash metal." -- SF Bay Guardian "Vivid images of thrash bands onstage, backstage, at drinking binges and essentially everywhere else" -- Metro Silicon Valley "Perhaps the final word on thrash metal's humble beginnings... a true joy"-- The Montreal Mirror "Pure gold for metal fans" -- Decibel Magazine "A thick, beautiful book that captures a special moment in time"-- Alternative Press "Granted, much of what's being shown is beer bottles, sneers and middle fingers, but it sure does tell a story."-- The Maine Edge "Enormous historic intensity on every page...every image in Murder in the Front Row hits you like brass knuckles." -- Sweden Rock [10/10 review] "Awesome... I give this book my highest rating."-- MAXIMUM ROCKNROLL "Harald O., the craziest photographer of all" -- BAM
Synopsis
In the 1980s, the San Francisco Bay Area was heaven for hardcore headbangers. Shunning Hollywood hairspray and image in favor of a more dangerous street appeal, the Bay Area thrash metal scene was home to Exodus , Metallica , Testament , Possessed , Death Angel , Heathen , Vio-Lence , Attitude Adjustment , Forbidden, and Blind Illusion — and served as a second home to like-minded similar bands like Slayer , Mercyful Fate , Anthrax , Megadeth , and more. Beginning as teenagers taking snapshots of visiting heavy metal bands during the 1970s, Brian "Umlaut" Lew and Harald "O." Oimoen documented the birth and growth of the local metal scene. Featuring hundreds of unseen live and candid color and black-and-white photographs, Murder in the Front Row captures the wild-eyed zeal and drive that made Metallica , Slayer , and Megadeth into legends, with over 100 million combined records sold., In the 1980s, the San Francisco Bay Area was heaven for hardcore headbangers. Shunning Hollywood hairspray and image in favor of a more dangerous street appeal, the Bay Area thrash metal scene was home to "Exodus," "Metallica," "Testament," "Possessed," "Death Angel," "Heathen," "Vio-Lence," "Attitude Adjustment," Forbidden," and "Blind Illusion" and served as a second home to like-minded similar bands like "Slayer," "Mercyful Fate," "Anthrax," "Megadeth," and more. Beginning as teenagers taking snapshots of visiting heavy metal bands during the 1970s, Brian "Umlaut" Lew and Harald "O." Oimoen documented the birth and growth of the local metal scene. Featuring hundreds of unseen live and candid color and black-and-white photographs, Murder in the Front Row captures the wild-eyed zeal and drive that made "Metallica," "Slayer," and "Megadeth" into legends, with over 100 million combined records sold.", In the 1980s, the San Francisco Bay Area was heaven for hardcore headbangers. Beginning as teenagers taking snapshots of visiting heavy metal bands during the 1970s, Brian Umlaut' Lew and Harald 'O.' Oimoen documented the birth and growth of the local metal scene. Featuring hundreds of unseen live and candid colour and b/w photographs, MURDER IN THE FRONT ROW captures the wild-eyed zeal and drive that made Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth into legends - with over 100 million record sales between them.'
