“You guys got more money than God, why do you have to take my money?” Dave Mustaine on his conversation with James Hetfield that ended Metallica’s plan to release their legendary No Life ‘Til Leather demo on vinyl and CD
In April 2015, Metallica released a duplication of their influential 1982 demo cassette, No Life ‘Til Leather, for Record Store Day. This demo, originally recorded by James Hetfield, Dave Mustaine, Ron McGovney, and Lars Ulrich, circulated widely through the underground metal tape-trading community in the early 1980s. Six of its seven tracks were later re-recorded for Metallica’s 1983 debut album, Kill ‘Em All.
The Origins of a Legacy
The No Life ‘Til Leather demo holds a significant place in metal history. Lars Ulrich, speaking to Rolling Stone in 2015, described the cassette’s original mix as capturing “the same innocence and, I guess, borderline ignorance, of four kids barely out of puberty, rockin’ along, doing their thing.” Ulrich also indicated at the time that the band was exploring an expanded reissue of the cassette on CD and vinyl through their own Blackened Recordings label.
A Delayed Reissue and Contentious History
While Metallica has since reissued their studio albums from Kill ‘Em All through Load, the expanded No Life ‘Til Leather reissue has not materialized. Dave Mustaine, formerly of Metallica and founder of Megadeth, suggests the delay stems from unresolved issues regarding songwriting credits and publishing rights.
Mustaine clarified that he wrote all the music for tracks including Phantom Lord, Metal Militia, Jump In The Fire, and The Mechanix, as well as the lyrics for Jump In The Fire and The Mechanix. He alleges that after his departure from Metallica, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich adjusted songwriting credits, assigning percentages to Ulrich for songs he did not write.
A Disagreement Over Credit
According to Mustaine, a conversation with Hetfield regarding the No Life ‘Til Leather reissue broke down when Hetfield disputed Mustaine’s recollection of events. Mustaine summarized the disagreement, stating there are “three ways to look at this: there’s your way, my way, and the truth, which is some combination of the two.” He reports that communication ceased after this exchange.
Megadeth’s Full Circle Moment
Megadeth recently released their seventeenth and final studio album on January 23. The album includes a cover of Metallica’s Ride The Lightning, a song Mustaine also co-wrote. Mustaine has stated he harbors no ill will towards Metallica and views the inclusion of the song as a significant moment in his career.
Metal Hammer reviewed Megadeth’s final album, describing it as capturing the band’s leader’s “blazing inner fire.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the significance of the No Life ‘Til Leather demo?
The No Life ‘Til Leather demo circulated widely among metal fans in the early 1980s and helped build a following for Metallica before the release of their first album.
What is Dave Mustaine’s contention regarding the demo?
Dave Mustaine disputes the songwriting credits assigned after his departure from Metallica, specifically regarding his contributions to songs that appeared on No Life ‘Til Leather and Kill ‘Em All.
What did Lars Ulrich say about the original demo?
Lars Ulrich described the original mix of the No Life ‘Til Leather cassette as capturing “the same innocence and, I guess, borderline ignorance, of four kids barely out of puberty, rockin’ along, doing their thing.”
Given the unresolved issues surrounding songwriting credits, will the expanded No Life ‘Til Leather reissue ever see the light of day?