Thrash metal

[Guest DR PHIL]

Hey, I live in a place starved of a lot of good music and have since gotten into the 80's thrash or speed metal like megadeth, slayer and metallica(Old school).

 

I'm wondering is the genre completely dead or are there a number of underground bands I'll never find in my stores at my shitty city?

[Red Baron 0]

Thrash has really spawned into so many categories these days, its hard to actually pin point whats Thrash now.

 

The bands I would consider Thrash, and that I listen to are Shadows Fall, In Flames and Killswitch Engage these days.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

**cracks knuckles** This might take a little bit of explaining to do. Here we go...

 

To understand the current formations of Thrash and Speed Metal, one needs to know about the formations of both. In a nutshell, Thrash/Speed (which I really feel are far too similar to group as different sub-categories, as the only real contrast is that thrash is usually sloppier) was America's answer to the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. Combining the "fuck all" attitude of punk rock and the musicianship of heavy metal, Thrash was pioneered by US acts like Anthrax, Exodus, Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer (and there's a reason I listed them in that order, as that is, I feel, the order of influence upon Thrash's early form from greatest to least {and that is taking into account pre-Reign Slayer, when they still wore spandex and Tom actually SANG}).

Originally, Thrash was just punk with more distortion. Many songs on Metallica's Kill 'Em All could be considered punk (particularly "Motörbreath," and arguments can be made for "Jump In The Fire" and "Hit The Lights" as well), but there was a distinct "edge" to the sound that made it metal. Within a year, Thrash became more complex as the kids (as most thrash bands featured members in their late teens) grew as musicians. The drumming became faster and harder, the solo's more wild, and with Dave Mustaine becoming a shredding virtuoso while Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman traded solo's left and right, thrash was THE form of underground metal. Once it hit the mainstream with songs like Megadeth's "Peace Sells" and Metallica's "One," though, it began going downhill.

Not so much in the sense that the quality of the actual thrash music, overall, decreased, but the level of popularity of the style did. Death metal was rising from western Europe, Florida, and South America; Black metallers were burning churches in the lands of Scandinavia; Power metallers from the UK and Germany were achieving fame and fortune for their highly melodic styles. Death proved to be the preferred style of the underground now, as the music could fast or slow, complex or simple, as long as it kept some sense of "brutality." Sepultura, Cannibal Corpse, Death, and others were becoming larger names in the metal scene, although the Big 4 of Thrash (Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax) would always be looked at as more important, and many times musically superior, bands.

Thrash evolved into Death metal. Without the fundamental elements of thrash, death would not have formed. So, in some way, thrash metal survives with every kid that picks up a guitar, tunes it to Drop D, and cranks out a Corpse riff before shredding on the Death.

 

As for bands I would call "thrash" now, I can't really say there are that many modern THRASH bands I know of. Nevermore (Power/Thrash), Arch Enemy (Death/Thrash), Shadows Fall (Death/Thrash/Hardcore), and Iced Earth (Power/Thrash) all have blatant thrash influences, and Shadows Fall's style of blending European metal (in this case, the melodic death metal style of Gothenburg) with hardcore is extremely similar to how the early thrash bands started.

 

Is THRASH metal alive today? Yes, but mostly by the old bands that perform the music at live concerts. Slayer had to slow it down. Metallica slowed it down. Megadeth disbanded due to Dave's arm injury. Pantera, who could thrash it up now and then, disbanded due to personal quarrels between Phil/Rex and Darrell/Vinnie. Anthrax is still around, as are Exodus, but in nowhere near the form they once were.

 

...man, writing all that made me realize how much I need a kickass THRASH band around to listen to...

[Guest Doyo]

Anthrax and Overkill both had good albums in 2003.

[Brocklock 0]

Their are a couple of other older thrash bands like Metal Church, Voivod, Overkill, Testament, and Celtic Frost. I think some Suicidal Tendencies would count for Thrash. Anthrax still kicks ass, and I think that We've Come For You All is their best since Among The Living. I still like Persistance Of Time and Sound Of White Noise, but I'd prefer WCFYA.

[SinToxic 0]

Kreator's last album (Violent Revolution) still thrashing hard after some experimenting they did with Endorama. Thier Live Kreation DVD is quite a charmer, didnt really like the new Anthrax album.

[Nevermortal 0]

LAZ, would you consider Strapping Young Lad thrash?

[Red Baron 0]

Metal Church and Celtic Frost aren't thrash.

[Brocklock 0]

Well I guess Allmusic.com is wrong again.

[Slayer 0]

Metal Church and Celtic Frost aren't thrash.

Celtic Frost isn't, but Metal Church is

 

 

 

Along the lines of what CoreyLaz said, it's hard to define thrash because several qualities tend to overlap with power metal

 

Here are the bands I can think of (most have probably been mentioned, but here's my thoughts)

 

The American Big Four (don't need to say much about these):

Metallica

Slayer

Megadeth

Anthrax (the only one of the four still going strong today IMO)

 

The German Big Three:

Kreator (get their double live CD for good compilation)

Destruction (great 80's thrash, lulled in the 90's, but came back with some kickass CDs in early '00s)

Sodom (same as Destruction)

 

Others:

Annihilator (dark Canadian thrash)

Testament (picked up the ball after Metallica fumbled bigtime)

Overkill (underappreciated thrash)

Agent Steel (good sci-fi themed thrash)

Metal Church (get their first two CDs NOW. If you already own them, get them and play them NOW)

[Red Baron 0]

Eh...I guess your right.

 

 

I wont recongnize Overkill though as a thrash metal band, just more of the lines of crap.

[snuffbox 0]

Id just like to say...

 

The Man in redbaron's sig is God.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

LAZ, would you consider Strapping Young Lad thrash?

I consider SYL to be EVERY kind of metal. Devin Townsend truly is a heavy music genius.

[Red Baron 0]

LAZ, would you consider Strapping Young Lad thrash?

I consider SYL to be EVERY kind of metal. Devin Townsend truly is a heavy music genius.

No one in their right mind could argue that.

[Steviekick 0]

The Haunted shows a lot of thrashiness in it.

[Red Hot Thumbtack In The Eye 0]

At The Gates - Slaughter Of The Soul.

 

Generally regarded as the 'Reign In Blood" of the 90's. I don't know if it lives up to that myself but it's a very solid thrash album.

 

AURA NOIR - Black Thrash Attack. Dirty as all hell Thrash madness that kicks my ass and makes your dog vomit. GET IT NOW. Great record.

 

I might post more if I think of them.

[Steviekick 0]

At The Gates - Slaughter Of The Soul.

 

Generally regarded as the 'Reign In Blood" of the 90's. I don't know if it lives up to that myself but it's a very solid thrash album.

That is an amazing album. That and In Flames' Clayman are two of the greatest albums in the Swedish metal era.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

Like I said, Death is just a more "brutal" form of Thrash that could also be slow.

 

And yes, Thumbtack, blackened thrash is insane. Check out Susperia.

 

Man, you know what we need? More metal bands with SINGERS, and I don't mean power metal bands.

[Red Hot Thumbtack In The Eye 0]

Check out Susperia.

 

I know this band and I'm desperately trying to aquire their albums.

 

Man, you know what we need? More metal bands with SINGERS, and I don't mean power metal bands.

 

 

Borknagar. Awesome singing with the metal voice...but it depends on how you feel about post neo Black Metal.

[NoCalMike 0]

Thrash Documentary

 

Check it out.......

[converge241 0]

get some overkill, exodus, nuclear assault, forbidden,death angel or laaz rockit

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

Overkill should never be recommended. Be it when they had their original vocalist (WORST. VOICE. EVER.) or their newer "power" stuff. And yes, I heard an Overkill song on a metal show late at night, and mistook it for Iced Earth.

 

LAaZ Rockit, eh?

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

I'd say SYL's way choppier than Shadows Fall. Those guys strike me as nu-ish metalcore with some sack. The little SYL I've heard is just Townshend shredding away and howling out contradictory conflict. I don't like them nearly as much as some people on here, but then again I've only heard the SYL release, and am not entirely encouraged to progress further quickly.

 

I'm starting to sound like Choken with the constant pimping of one band, but Acid Bath is about as heavy as it gets while still having a "singer." He's closer to Jim Morrison than Bruce Dickinson, though. Just as well, as I've never been into those big over the top voices quite so much.

 

Does Townshend solo, or does he just shred, sing, and yell?

[Red Baron 0]

Thrash Documentary

 

Check it out.......

Nothin on Megadeth or Dave Mustaine.

 

Mustaine is the best for quotes.

 

 

 

And yes, stay away from Overkill

[Steviekick 0]

I'd say SYL's way choppier than Shadows Fall. Those guys strike me as nu-ish metalcore with some sack. The little SYL I've heard is just Townshend shredding away and howling out contradictory conflict. I don't like them nearly as much as some people on here, but then again I've only heard the SYL release, and am not entirely encouraged to progress further quickly.

 

I'm starting to sound like Choken with the constant pimping of one band, but Acid Bath is about as heavy as it gets while still having a "singer." He's closer to Jim Morrison than Bruce Dickinson, though. Just as well, as I've never been into those big over the top voices quite so much.

 

Does Townshend solo, or does he just shred, sing, and yell?

Devy mostly shreds and stuff. When he does solo, its nothing amazing and not the most memorable part of the song. SYL's beauty is their all over ness and layered bizarre sound.

[Red Hot Thumbtack In The Eye 0]

Ok, through unofficial means I have am aquiring the Susperia album "Vindication" and it is kicking my ass. Awesome Heavy/Thrash metal. I highly recommend this album to everyone. They wear their Swedishness on their sleeve but are not limited to the "Gothenburg" sound that has been burned down and pissed on in the last few years.

 

This will be in my playlist for a very long time.

[Guest Doyo]

Overkill should never be recommended. Be it when they had their original vocalist (WORST. VOICE. EVER.) or their newer "power" stuff. And yes, I heard an Overkill song on a metal show late at night, and mistook it for Iced Earth.

They've always had the same vocalist. If you can't get past the "screechy" vocals then

I guess you wouldn't like bands with similar singers, such as Exodus, early Metal

Church or Sanctuary. Overkill have always had pretty much the same style, but their

newer music isn't as "cheesy" sounding as their 80s stuff, so I would say they are less

"power metal" now if anything. Their newer stuff is a little bit similar to Nevermore (whose

singer was also the singer for Sanctuary).

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

Well, considering I heard a song by Overkill, a VERY recent song mind you, and mistook it for Iced Earth, I'd say it was pretty power-y.

 

And, for the record, my favorite vocalist in all of music is Lemmy Kilmister, so I don't think saying I don't like "screeched" or "rough" vocals is accurate. I just fucking hate Overkill since their singer SUCKS. The only song I think his voice doesn't ruin is "Thunderhead."

 

And you also forget that Jeff Loomis of Nevermore was also in Sanctuary. Only good METAL band from Seattle.

[Guest Doyo]

Lemmy's voice is almost the opposite of what I was pointing out. "Screech" means

high-pitched, shrill and scratchy all at the same time - like the tires of a car screeching. You were saying Overkill shouldn't be recommended to anyone just because you personally don't

like their vocal style. I was pointing out that there have been a number of important

metal bands that have singers with similar vocals. It is something of an aquired taste,

just like death metal vocals, but there is talent there.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

Actually, I'm saying Overkill shouldn't be recommended because they suck. I'm a fan of death vocals, black vocals, and even can tolerate King Diamond's vocals at times. But the dude from Overkill? I want to rip out his vocal chords.