KILL 'EM ALL ALBUM
For the past few days I was mulling over what I should cover next and the very obvious answer I had was picking Metallica’s highly influential debut, “Kill ‘Em All”. For an album that has had so much coverage and multiple different takes from multiple different people; it puts me off a little to come up with something that will stand on its own against the back drop of voices but I hope to try my best. Coming slap dab in the middle of summer 1983, Metallica came out of the gates running with an album that many would call one of the greatest metal albums of all time, some expressing that it is the greatest. Now I do think it’s one of the greatest and it’s influence is widespread but I’m not one to think it is the best, let alone the best thrash metal debut, but I do believe it is a tremendous album and an album that helped pave the way for the genre as a whole.
To begin, if there is a way to describe what “Kill ‘Em All” is, it is in all of its 80s glory a “raw, furious thrasher”. Fueled by NWOBHM and classic metal / rock with a dash of punk aggression, all the contents are mixed together in a caldron of sonic proportions only to great the dish named, thrash metal. Ok yeah I know that there is some contention and debate on “who REALLY put out the first thrash metal album” but what really matters is that this album, along with Slayer’s debut a few months later, was what put thrash on the map. The album is unpolished, distorted, and raw but still retains a charm to it. Matter of fact, as I re-listen to it in full today here in 2020, I notice how well it still sounds and how much it holds up. The guitars are nice and loud, the drums back a punch but not overbearing, the bass is loud enough to be heard but at places I do wish it was higher in the mix, and Hetfields shrieky, angsty vocals is in central focus here, but just like the drums in the production it isn’t over shadowing the instrumentation. So yeah, besides the bass being a tad bit low in places, the overall production is pretty great for a debut and packs a bunch of sound.
For the better part of “Kill ‘Em All”, Metallica’s focus is on NWOBHM influenced riffs but sped up ten times faster. “Hit The Lights” is the perfect representation for my statement, as it has a clear Iron Maiden influence with its galloping rhythm but with the tempo dial turned up a notch. If slowed down a little, I could see “Hit The Lights” ending up on one of Iron Maiden’s early albums honestly. The majority of the album is like a literal speed rollercoaster; speeding down the tracks more than they slowly go up them. Besides “Hit The Lights”; “Whiplash”, “Motorbreath”, “Phantom Lord”, “Metal Militia” all offer that same energy as the riffs and solos spill out in a quick pace but there is some variety here that isn’t all just quick riffing as Metallica does offer some mid-paced performances. “Jump In The Fire”, “No Remorse”, and “Seek & Destroy” all fit that mid-paced bill with influences ranging from Motörhead to Diamond Head sprouting from the seems; giving us the listeners some breathing room. Hell if you were to really slow down “Seek & Destroy”, I could see that as something Black Sabbath could have written. Metallica also adds little moments between songs where a melodic break or a melodic solo happens which I feel adds more to the song than being a straight forward speed thrasher.
A nice outlier from “Kill ‘Em All” is the late Cliff Burton’s bass solo in “(Anesthesia)- Pulling Teeth”. It is very experimental and totally different from everything else on the album that I couldn’t not stop and talk about it individually. I really love that buildup towards the 2 minute mark, then the rest of the instruments kicking in but not overtaking the bass. It’s a stand out in Cliff’s short career and definitely a standout here. Back to the album as a whole, I will say that it isn’t the most technical or complex in nature. The riffing follows a basic path and pattern, not verging much off from the well placed solos and the occasional melodic break or melodic solo that I’ve mentioned. Some think that “Kill ‘Em All’s” simplicity here is a negative but I don’t share those views. It’s easy for someone now to say “well look at all these albums that have come out since then, this is piss easy compared to them” but just look at when this came out, this album was very much different from what was going on and helped set a standard for the upcoming thrash genre. Even then, “Kill ‘Em All” may not be as complex or technically impressive, it sure as hell is a lot more memorable as a whole compared to a plethora of albums. So yeah, just because something is simple doesn’t make it bad, moving on.
Getting to our lineup, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Cliff Burton, and Lars Ulrich all preform fantastically, for the most part. James’s performance here is very much different from how he sings on later albums as he is much more raw here. He’s just full of screeches and shrieks as he more so yells at you than he does sing at you. He does have some more melodic singing like he’d utilize on later albums, such as in “No Remorse” and “Seek & Destroy” but for the most part stays pretty powerful and raw in “Kill ‘Em All”. James is also on rhythm guitar and his skill is excellent here as he keeps up with Kirk’s impeccable leads. Cliff Burton is fantastic here as his bass lines really help shape the songs and give the music a extra dimension. Fun fact, Cliff’s only writing credit here is“(Anesthesia)- Pulling Teeth” as he would join the band shortly before the recording of the debut. Never less, his performance here is a stand out in the genre and he’d only get better with his next release.
Kirk Hammett is a monster on the lead guitar and his early solo work is something that is hard for a lot of musicians to match now. What else makes Kirk’s solos top notch here and in early Metallica albums is how catchy those verses are. You just listen to the onslaught in “Seek & Destroy” or the beginning of “No Remorse” and not tell me that doesn’t want to make you shack head with the rhythm. Then there’s Lars Ulrich who gets the job down remaining consistent throughout. The drumming is not really complicated here on “Kill ‘Em All” nor has Lars ever been a standout drummer for me but he does do a great job on the studio albums, at least the early ones, but the less said about his...live performances, the better.
I guess the last thing I should mention is the elephant in the room; good ol’ Davey Mustainey. It would be disservice not to talk about Dave’s contributions for Metallica as he did greatly help shape their sound early on. You know his distinct style of writing when you hear “Jump In The Fire”, “The Four Horsemen”, “Metal Militia” and “Phantom Lord” as those songs have a little more, technicality to it? More meat and bones to the riffing I suppose? I mean you just listen to that melodic solo and the slow melodic break in “Phantom Lord” and you know that Dave’s sweaty fingers were all over it. In the end, I’m glad that Dave was fired from the band as it gave us some of the best riff writing and solos in the genre over in the Megadeth camp.
So after all of this long winded rambling, what is my final verdict on “Kill ‘Em All”? Well I personally think this a fantastic record and a fantastic debut. The album is memorable from beginning to end as Metallica handles catchiness and aggressive speed in tandem as if they were from different sides of the same coin. Their stance on the metal way of life and the lyrical subject matter is something the thrash genre still writes about, even after almost 40 years since this album released. Sure, there are some stuff that could be fixed or changed, like upping Cliff’s bass in the mix or cutting some time down in “No Remorse” but as a whole, “Kill ‘Em All” just fucking slays. It’s simple (for the most part) in its writing but difficult in its execution and Metallica definitely executes. I may not hold “Kill ‘Em All” as my favorite thrash debut, that title belongs to “Feel The Fire”, but the exceptional skills and memorability at play are something many can’t say they can repeat and with how successful and influential “Kill ‘Em All” became, it deserves every bit of it.
Daftar Lagu
1. Hit The Light 04:17
Woah!
No life till leather
We’re gonna kick some ass tonight
We got the metal madness
When our fans start screaming, it’s right, well alright yeah
When we start to rock we never want to stop again
Hit the lights
Hit the lights
Hit the lights
You know our fans are insane
We’re gonna blow this place away
With volume higher
Than anything today, the only way yeah
When we start to rock we never want to stop again
Hit the lights
Hit the lights
Hit the lights
With all our screaming
We’re gonna rip right through your brain
We got the lethal power
It’s causing you sweet pain, oh sweet pain yeah
When we start to rock we never want to stop again
Hit the lights
Hit the lights
Hit the lights
Hit the lights
No life till leather
We’re gonna kick some ass tonight
We got the metal madness
When our fans start screaming, it’s right, well alright yeah
When we start to rock we never want to stop again
Hit the lights
Hit the lights
Hit the lights
You know our fans are insane
We’re gonna blow this place away
With volume higher
Than anything today, the only way yeah
When we start to rock we never want to stop again
Hit the lights
Hit the lights
Hit the lights
With all our screaming
We’re gonna rip right through your brain
We got the lethal power
It’s causing you sweet pain, oh sweet pain yeah
When we start to rock we never want to stop again
Hit the lights
Hit the lights
Hit the lights
Hit the lights
2. The Four Horsemen 07:13
By last breath of the fourth winds blow, better raise your ears
The sound of hooves knocks at your door
Lock up your wife and children now, it’s time to wield the blade
For now you’ve got some company
The Horsemen are drawing nearer
On leather steeds they ride
They’ve come to take your life
On through the dead of night
With the four Horsemen ride
Or choose your fate and die
Oh ye-yeah!
You’ve been dying since the day you were born, you know it’s all been planned
The quartet of deliverance rides
A sinner once a sinner twice, no need for confession now
Cause now you’ve got the fight of your life
The Horsemen are drawing nearer
On leather steeds they ride
They’ve come to take your life
On through the dead of night
With the four Horsemen ride
Or choose your fate and die
Oh ye-yeah!
Time! Has taken its toll on you, the lines that crack your face
Famine! Your body it has torn through, withered in every place
Pestilence! For what you had to endure and what you have put others through
Death! Deliverance for you for sure, now there’s nothing you can do
Gather round young warriors now, saddle up your steeds
Killing scores with demon swords
Now is the death of doers of wrong, swing the judgement hammer down
Safely inside armor, blood, guts and sweat
The Horsemen are drawing nearer
On leather steeds they ride
They’ve come to take your life
On through the dead of night
With the four Horsemen ride
Or choose your fate and die
Oh ye-yeah!
The sound of hooves knocks at your door
Lock up your wife and children now, it’s time to wield the blade
For now you’ve got some company
The Horsemen are drawing nearer
On leather steeds they ride
They’ve come to take your life
On through the dead of night
With the four Horsemen ride
Or choose your fate and die
Oh ye-yeah!
You’ve been dying since the day you were born, you know it’s all been planned
The quartet of deliverance rides
A sinner once a sinner twice, no need for confession now
Cause now you’ve got the fight of your life
The Horsemen are drawing nearer
On leather steeds they ride
They’ve come to take your life
On through the dead of night
With the four Horsemen ride
Or choose your fate and die
Oh ye-yeah!
Time! Has taken its toll on you, the lines that crack your face
Famine! Your body it has torn through, withered in every place
Pestilence! For what you had to endure and what you have put others through
Death! Deliverance for you for sure, now there’s nothing you can do
Gather round young warriors now, saddle up your steeds
Killing scores with demon swords
Now is the death of doers of wrong, swing the judgement hammer down
Safely inside armor, blood, guts and sweat
The Horsemen are drawing nearer
On leather steeds they ride
They’ve come to take your life
On through the dead of night
With the four Horsemen ride
Or choose your fate and die
Oh ye-yeah!
3. Motorbreath 03:08
Living and dying, laughing and crying
Once you have seen it you will never be the same
Life in the fast lane is just how it seems
Hard and it’s heavy, it’s dirty and mean
Motorbreath, it’s how I live my life
I can’t take it any other way
Motorbreath, the sign of living fast
It is going to take your breath away
Don’t stop for nothing, it’s full speed or nothing
I’m taking down, you know, whatever’s in my way
Getting your kicks as you’re shooting the line
Sending the shivers up and down your spine
Motorbreath, it’s how I live my life
I can’t take it any other way
Motorbreath, the sign of living fast
It is going to take your breath away
Those people who tell you not to take chances
They’re all missing on what life’s about
You only live once, so take hold of the chance
Don’t end up like others, same song and dance
Motorbreath, it’s how I live my life
I can’t take it any other way
Motorbreath, the sign of living fast
It is going to take your breath away
Once you have seen it you will never be the same
Life in the fast lane is just how it seems
Hard and it’s heavy, it’s dirty and mean
Motorbreath, it’s how I live my life
I can’t take it any other way
Motorbreath, the sign of living fast
It is going to take your breath away
Don’t stop for nothing, it’s full speed or nothing
I’m taking down, you know, whatever’s in my way
Getting your kicks as you’re shooting the line
Sending the shivers up and down your spine
Motorbreath, it’s how I live my life
I can’t take it any other way
Motorbreath, the sign of living fast
It is going to take your breath away
Those people who tell you not to take chances
They’re all missing on what life’s about
You only live once, so take hold of the chance
Don’t end up like others, same song and dance
Motorbreath, it’s how I live my life
I can’t take it any other way
Motorbreath, the sign of living fast
It is going to take your breath away
4. Jump in the Fire 04:42
Down in the depths of my fiery home, the summons bell will chime
Tempting you and all the Earth to join our sinful kind
There’s a job to be done and I’m the one, you people make me do it
Now it’s time for your fate and I won’t hesitate to pull you down into this pit
So come on
Jump in the Fire
So come on
Jump in the Fire
With hell in my eyes and with death in my veins, the end is closing in Feeding on the minds of man and from their souls within
My disciples all shout to search you out and they always shall obey
Follow me now, my child, not the meek or the mild, but do just as I say
So come on
Jump in the Fire
So come on
Jump in the Fire
Jump by your will or be taken by force, I’ll get you either way
Trying to keep the hellfire lit, I’m stalking you as prey
Living your life as me, I am you, you see? There is part of me in everyone
So reach down, grab my hand, walk with me through the land, come home where you belong
So come on
Jump in the Fire
So come on
Jump in the Fire
So come on
Jump in the Fire
So come on
Jump in the Fire
Come on jump in now!
Tempting you and all the Earth to join our sinful kind
There’s a job to be done and I’m the one, you people make me do it
Now it’s time for your fate and I won’t hesitate to pull you down into this pit
So come on
Jump in the Fire
So come on
Jump in the Fire
With hell in my eyes and with death in my veins, the end is closing in Feeding on the minds of man and from their souls within
My disciples all shout to search you out and they always shall obey
Follow me now, my child, not the meek or the mild, but do just as I say
So come on
Jump in the Fire
So come on
Jump in the Fire
Jump by your will or be taken by force, I’ll get you either way
Trying to keep the hellfire lit, I’m stalking you as prey
Living your life as me, I am you, you see? There is part of me in everyone
So reach down, grab my hand, walk with me through the land, come home where you belong
So come on
Jump in the Fire
So come on
Jump in the Fire
So come on
Jump in the Fire
So come on
Jump in the Fire
Come on jump in now!
5. (Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth 04:15
6. Whiplash 04:10
Late at night all systems go, you’ve come to see the show
We do our best, you’re the rest, you make it real, you know?
There’s a feeling deep inside that drives you fucking mad
A feeling of a hammerhead, you need it oh so bad
Adrenaline starts to flow
You’re thrashing all around
Acting like a maniac
Whiplash!
Bang your head against the stage like you never did before
Make it ring, make it bleed, make it really sore
In a frenzied madness with your leather and your spikes
Heads are bobbing all around, it’s hot as Hell tonight
Adrenaline starts to flow
You’re thrashing all around
Acting like a maniac
Whiplash!
Here on the stage the Marshal noise is piercing through your ears
It kicks your ass, kick your face, exploding feeling nears
Now is the time to let it rip, to let it fucking loose
We’re gathered here to maim and kill ‘cause this is what we choose
Adrenaline starts to flow
You’re thrashing all around
Acting like a maniac
Here we go!
Whiplash!
The show is through, the metal is gone, it’s time to hit the road
Another town, another gig, again we will explode
Hotel rooms and motorways, life out here is raw
We’ll never stop, we’ll never quit ‘cause we’re Metallica
Adrenaline starts to flow
You’re thrashing all around
Acting like a maniac
Woah! Woah!
We do our best, you’re the rest, you make it real, you know?
There’s a feeling deep inside that drives you fucking mad
A feeling of a hammerhead, you need it oh so bad
Adrenaline starts to flow
You’re thrashing all around
Acting like a maniac
Whiplash!
Bang your head against the stage like you never did before
Make it ring, make it bleed, make it really sore
In a frenzied madness with your leather and your spikes
Heads are bobbing all around, it’s hot as Hell tonight
Adrenaline starts to flow
You’re thrashing all around
Acting like a maniac
Whiplash!
Here on the stage the Marshal noise is piercing through your ears
It kicks your ass, kick your face, exploding feeling nears
Now is the time to let it rip, to let it fucking loose
We’re gathered here to maim and kill ‘cause this is what we choose
Adrenaline starts to flow
You’re thrashing all around
Acting like a maniac
Here we go!
Whiplash!
The show is through, the metal is gone, it’s time to hit the road
Another town, another gig, again we will explode
Hotel rooms and motorways, life out here is raw
We’ll never stop, we’ll never quit ‘cause we’re Metallica
Adrenaline starts to flow
You’re thrashing all around
Acting like a maniac
Woah! Woah!
7. Phantom Lord 05:02
Sound is ripping through your ears, the deafening sound of metal nears
Bodies waiting for his whips, the taste of leather on your lips
Hear the cry of War louder than before
With his sword in hand to control the land
Crushing metal strikes on this frightening night
Fall onto your knees for the Phantom Lord
Victims falling under chains, you hear them crying death pains
The fists of terrors breaking through, now there’s nothing you can do
Hear the cry of War louder than before
With his sword in hand to control the land
Crushing metal strikes on this frightening night
Fall onto your knees for the Phantom Lord
Uoh!
The leather armies have prevailed, the Phantom Lord has never failed
Smoke is lifting from the ground, the rising volume metal sound
Hear the cry of War louder than before
With his sword in hand to control the land
Crushing metal strikes on this frightening night
Fall onto your knees for the Phantom Lord
Fall to your knees and bow to the Phantom Lord
Bodies waiting for his whips, the taste of leather on your lips
Hear the cry of War louder than before
With his sword in hand to control the land
Crushing metal strikes on this frightening night
Fall onto your knees for the Phantom Lord
Victims falling under chains, you hear them crying death pains
The fists of terrors breaking through, now there’s nothing you can do
Hear the cry of War louder than before
With his sword in hand to control the land
Crushing metal strikes on this frightening night
Fall onto your knees for the Phantom Lord
Uoh!
The leather armies have prevailed, the Phantom Lord has never failed
Smoke is lifting from the ground, the rising volume metal sound
Hear the cry of War louder than before
With his sword in hand to control the land
Crushing metal strikes on this frightening night
Fall onto your knees for the Phantom Lord
Fall to your knees and bow to the Phantom Lord
8. No Remorse 06:26
No mercy for what we’re doing
No thought to even what we’ve done
We don’t need to feel the sorrow
No remorse for the helpless one
War without end
No remorse, no repent
We don’t care what it meant
Another day, another death
Another sorrow, another breath
No remorse, no repent
We don’t care what it meant
Another day, another death
Another sorrow, another breath
Blood feeds the war machine
As it eats its way across the land
We don’t need the feel the sorrow
No remorse is the one command
War without end
No remorse, no repent
We don’t care what it meant
Another day, another death
Another sorrow, another breath
No remorse, no repent
We don’t care what it meant
Another day, another death
Another sorrow, another breath
Only the strong survive
No one to save the weaker race
We are ready to kill all comers
Like a loaded gun right at your face
War without end
No remorse, no repent
We don’t care what it meant
Another day, another death
Another sorrow, another breath
No remorse, no repent
We don’t care what it meant
Another day, another death
Another sorrow, another breath
Attack!
Bullets are flying, people are dying
With madness surrounding, all hell’s breaking loose
Soldiers are hounding, bodies are mounting
Cannons are shouting to take their abuse
With war machines going, blood starts to flowing
No mercy given to anyone here
The furious fighting, swords are like lighting
It all becomes frightening, you know death is near
No thought to even what we’ve done
We don’t need to feel the sorrow
No remorse for the helpless one
War without end
No remorse, no repent
We don’t care what it meant
Another day, another death
Another sorrow, another breath
No remorse, no repent
We don’t care what it meant
Another day, another death
Another sorrow, another breath
Blood feeds the war machine
As it eats its way across the land
We don’t need the feel the sorrow
No remorse is the one command
War without end
No remorse, no repent
We don’t care what it meant
Another day, another death
Another sorrow, another breath
No remorse, no repent
We don’t care what it meant
Another day, another death
Another sorrow, another breath
Only the strong survive
No one to save the weaker race
We are ready to kill all comers
Like a loaded gun right at your face
War without end
No remorse, no repent
We don’t care what it meant
Another day, another death
Another sorrow, another breath
No remorse, no repent
We don’t care what it meant
Another day, another death
Another sorrow, another breath
Attack!
Bullets are flying, people are dying
With madness surrounding, all hell’s breaking loose
Soldiers are hounding, bodies are mounting
Cannons are shouting to take their abuse
With war machines going, blood starts to flowing
No mercy given to anyone here
The furious fighting, swords are like lighting
It all becomes frightening, you know death is near
9. Seek & Destroy 06:55
Alright!
Scanning the scene in the city tonight
We’re looking for you to start up a fight
There’s an evil feeling in our brains
But it’s nothing new, you know it drives us insane
Running! On our way
Hiding! You will pay
Dying! One thousand deaths
Running! On our way
Hiding! You will pay
Dying! One thousand deaths
Searching… seek and destroy
Searching… seek and destroy!
Searching… seek and destroy
Searching… seek and destroy
There is no escape and that’s for sure
This is the end we won’t take any more
Say goodbye to the world you live in
You’ve always been taking but now you’re giving
Running! On our way
Hiding! You will pay
Dying! One thousand deaths
Running! On our way
Hiding! You will pay
Dying! One thousand deaths
Searching… seek and destroy
Searching… seek and destroy!
Searching… seek and destroy
Searching… seek and destroy!
Our brains are on fire with the feeling to kill
And it won’t go away ‘til our dreams are fulfilled
There is only one thing on our minds
Don’t try running away ‘cause you’re the one we will find
Running! On our way
Hiding! You will pay
Dying! One thousand deaths
Running! On our way
Hiding! You will pay
Dying! One thousand deaths
Searching… seek and destroy
Searching… seek and destroy
Searching… seek and destroy
Searching… seek and destroy ahahahahaha
Scanning the scene in the city tonight
We’re looking for you to start up a fight
There’s an evil feeling in our brains
But it’s nothing new, you know it drives us insane
Running! On our way
Hiding! You will pay
Dying! One thousand deaths
Running! On our way
Hiding! You will pay
Dying! One thousand deaths
Searching… seek and destroy
Searching… seek and destroy!
Searching… seek and destroy
Searching… seek and destroy
There is no escape and that’s for sure
This is the end we won’t take any more
Say goodbye to the world you live in
You’ve always been taking but now you’re giving
Running! On our way
Hiding! You will pay
Dying! One thousand deaths
Running! On our way
Hiding! You will pay
Dying! One thousand deaths
Searching… seek and destroy
Searching… seek and destroy!
Searching… seek and destroy
Searching… seek and destroy!
Our brains are on fire with the feeling to kill
And it won’t go away ‘til our dreams are fulfilled
There is only one thing on our minds
Don’t try running away ‘cause you’re the one we will find
Running! On our way
Hiding! You will pay
Dying! One thousand deaths
Running! On our way
Hiding! You will pay
Dying! One thousand deaths
Searching… seek and destroy
Searching… seek and destroy
Searching… seek and destroy
Searching… seek and destroy ahahahahaha
10. Metal Militia 05:10
Thunder and lightning, the gods take revenge, senseless destruction
Victims of fury are cowardly now, running for safety
Stabbing the harlot to pay for her sins, leaving the virgin
Suicide running as if it were free, ripping and tearing
On through the mist and the madness
We’re trying to get the message to you
Metal Militia
Metal Militia
Metal Militia
Chained and shadowed to be left behind, nine and one thousand
Metal Militia for your sacrifice, iron clad soldiers
Join or be conquered, the law of the land, what will befall you?
The metallization of your inner soul, twisting and turning
On through the mist and the madness
We’re trying to get the message to you
Metal Militia
Metal Militia, woah!
Oh!
We are as one as we all are the same, fighting for one cause
Leather and metal are our uniforms, protecting what we are
Joining together to take on the world with our heavy metal
Spreading the message to everyone here, come, let yourself go
On through the mist and the madness
We’re trying to get the message to you
Metal Militia (repeat to end)
Victims of fury are cowardly now, running for safety
Stabbing the harlot to pay for her sins, leaving the virgin
Suicide running as if it were free, ripping and tearing
On through the mist and the madness
We’re trying to get the message to you
Metal Militia
Metal Militia
Metal Militia
Chained and shadowed to be left behind, nine and one thousand
Metal Militia for your sacrifice, iron clad soldiers
Join or be conquered, the law of the land, what will befall you?
The metallization of your inner soul, twisting and turning
On through the mist and the madness
We’re trying to get the message to you
Metal Militia
Metal Militia, woah!
Oh!
We are as one as we all are the same, fighting for one cause
Leather and metal are our uniforms, protecting what we are
Joining together to take on the world with our heavy metal
Spreading the message to everyone here, come, let yourself go
On through the mist and the madness
We’re trying to get the message to you
Metal Militia (repeat to end)
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