Official press release:

This past Friday, January 19, 2018, MetalRock Films released part one of a new two part Inside Metal documentary DVD series entitled The Rise of L.A. Thrash Metal. Directed by Bob Nalbandian with narration by David Ellefson of thrash legends Megadeth, the documentary focuses on the Los Angeles thrash metal uprising of the early/mid ’80s and acts as a follow-up to the first two Inside Metal titles, The Pioneers of LA Hard Rock & Metal and LA Metal Scene Explodes.

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.

Following up on last week’s clip of Metallica’s Lars Ulrich discussing punk music and Metallica’s early influences, MetalRock Films has released another exclusive clip in advance of the DVD release, this time featuring Armored Saint and ex-Anthrax vocalist John Bush discussing his first-hand account of the rising success of thrash metal and remaining unique in the scene. Watch here via Decibel:

Director Bob Nalbandian tells Decibel:

“In this clip, John Bush talks about the Armored Saint tour back in 1984 with Metallica and W.A.S.P. and how he witnessed first-hand the rising success that Metallica was garnering with their cutting-edge brand of ‘thrash metal’. Yet, Armored Saint never abandoned their signature sound and style and always stayed true to themselves.”

The documentary is out now and available for purchase on Amazon.