Search results
Thrash metal was an inspiration for later extreme genres such as death metal and black metal. This list also includes certain bands which belong to the first wave of black metal. These bands essentially played thrash metal with a heavy emphasis on Satanic and occult themes in the lyrics and imagery. [12]
BandFormedOrigin2004Germany2010United States1998Denmark1996Sweden- Slayer. 3,974 votes. Slayer's ominous themes and unmatched aggression have cemented them as a cornerstone in the evolution and expansion of thrash metal. Known for its fast-paced drumming, piercing solos, and harsh vocals, the band created a distinct atmosphere of brutality by exploring darker subjects like war, violence, and the occult.
- Megadeth. 4,135 votes. Megadeth, led by the brilliant and uncompromising mind of frontman Dave Mustaine, has been pushing the boundaries of thrash metal since its inception in 1983.
- Metallica. 4,285 votes. As one of the pioneers of thrash metal, Metallica revolutionized the genre with their innovative blend of speed, power, and technical prowess.
- Exodus. 2,539 votes. Exodus' brutal, no-holds-barred approach to thrash metal has earned them a well-deserved reputation as one of the genre's most uncompromising bands.
- Slayer – Reign In Blood (1990)
- Metallica – Master Of Puppets (1986)
- Megadeth – Rust In Peace (1986)
- Metallica – Ride The Lightning (1984)
- Metallica. How’d you guess? Yes, for all the uproar from thrash purists over the years about the band's change of direction, at the end of the day there are three major reasons for granting Metallica the No. 1 spot in our list of the Top 10 Thrash Metal Bands: ‘Kill ‘em All,’ ‘Ride the Lightning’ and ‘Master of Puppets.’
- Slayer. To those not even curious enough to look beyond the basic ‘big four’ fundamentals, there’s little doubt that Slayer epitomize thrash metal at its undiluted extreme.
- Megadeth. No matter what you think of Dave Mustaine, who can be polarizing at times, he deserves all the credit in the world for taking a negative and turning it into a massive positive.
- Anthrax. Apologies for being so predictable, but the so-called "Big Four" (i.e. platinum-selling) inevitably hog the final stretch of our list – you can see the box office for your refund.
- Metallica
- Anthrax
- Megadeth
- Slayer
- Sepultura
- Sodom
- Exodus
- Suicidal Tendencies
- Testament
- Bonded by Blood
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
Top of our list is the California band Metallica, considered the greatest thrash metal band by most fans. One of the first bands to have engaged with the genre, Metallica remains the most famous band in thrash. With an aggressive sound and fast tempo, Metallica has released some of the genre’s well-known songs, like their early ’90s hits “Enter San...
Another member of the Big Four of Thrash, many consider Anthraxto be the most underrated of the group. Formed in 1981 in New York, the band was one of the first to come from the East Coast of the States. Fans might be familiar with some of their works, like “Only” and “Black Lodge. Despite not having a lot of charting songs, Anthrax won several Met...
What’s more metal than naming your band after the unit of measurement for 1,000,000 deaths in nuclear warfare? Megadethis our third Big Four band and undeniably one of the most famous thrash bands of all time. Just before Metallica released their debut album, Kill ‘Em All, the band fired Dave Mustaine in mid-April of 1983. In response, Mustaine vow...
The final band of the Big Four, many consider Slayeras the heaviest thrash metal band from their era. Formed in 1981 in California, Slayer’s fast, violent style quickly pushed them into the limelight. Countless modern metal bands cite Slayer as one of their greatest influences. With a profound impact on the metal scene and worldwide fame, and songs...
With the Big Four discussed, there are still plenty of thrash bands that have left their mark. You can’t discuss thrash metal without discussing the Brazilian thrash/heavy metal band Sepultura. With a name that translates to “Grave,” Sepultura was formed in the mid-1980s by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera. As their 39-year career continued, they rel...
Formed in 1981 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Sodomstarted off as a black metal band. But they weren’t taken seriously at first. It wasn’t until they made the shift in sound to thrash that they began to gain fans and rise in popularity quickly. Their album Persecution Mania is a must-listen for the perfect example of their extreme speed and loud, force...
Seventh on our list is one of the earliest thrash bands known. Formed in Richmond, California, in 1979, Exodus had quite the success during the 1980s, particularly with their albums Pleasures of the Flesh and Fabulous Disaster, which landed spots within the top 100 on Billboard‘s Hot 200 chart. However, Exodus has had a tumultuous history. Feuds be...
Singer Mike Muir founded our next thrash band, Suicidal Tendencies. Formed in 1980 in California, the band is considered one of the four Fathers of Crossover Thrash for their music blend of hardcore punk and thrash. Rated the “Best New Band” in 1982, the band is far from without its black marks. They endured a rough start and even were called the “...
Another California band, Testament, was formed in 1983 under the name Legacy. This name was changed in 1986, soon after they signed up with Atlantic Records. Testament’s start was slow going. Their first two albums were met with mediocre success, but this changed with their third album in 1989, Practice What You Preach, which entered in the top 100...
Our next thrash band got its name from Exodus’s debut album. Formed in 2005 by Jose Barrales, the California group is considered one of the bands who spearheaded the era of thrash metal revival. The group got their start after winning a battle of bands in 2006. Two years after, they released their debut album, Feed the Beast. This was followed by E...
Learn about the history and impact of thrash metal, an extreme form of heavy metal music, and discover 13 of the most popular bands in the genre. From the Big Four of Thrash to the Fathers of Crossover Thrash, this list covers the best of the best.
People also ask
What is thrash metal?
When did thrash metal come out?
Who were the first thrash bands?
Is Metallica a thrash band?
Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and fast tempo. [3] . The songs usually use fast percussive beats and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding -style lead guitar work.
Dec 26, 2017 · SPIN Staff ranks the most influential and iconic thrash metal bands from the Bay Area to Germany, from Metallica to Tankard. Discover the key tracks, styles, and stories of thrash's history and evolution.
