Thrash Metal 101 : Rotten to The Core

The Beginning • During the mid/late 70’s bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motorhead, and Def Leppard were launching the world into a New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Heavy Metal was quickly rising in Europe but, with conservative Reagan administration and the lack of a music industry in Canada, North America was stuck in the era of 80’s rockers like Journey and Styx until…..

The Big Four • …until something happened in the bay area of San Francisco. Influenced by the sounds coming out of Europe bands like Slayer, Exodus, Overkill, Metallica, and Anthrax started to emerge. Commonly seen as the biggest bands of the thrash genre and its founders, Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth

The call sent out….

• Formed in: 1986 • First album: Socialized Hate • Last Album: Violent by Nature

• Formed in: 1987 • First album: Forbidden Evil • Latest Album: Omega Wave

• Formed in: 1985 • First Album: Self titled • Latest album: The Crucible of Man

• Formed in: 1980 • First album: Bonded by Blood • Latest Album; Exhibit B: The Human Condition

• Formed in: 1982 • First album: The Ultra-Violence • Latest Album: Relentless Retribution

• Formed in: 1980 • First Album: Feel the Fire • Latest Album: Ironbound

• Formed in: 1986 • First Album: Why Play Around? • Last Album: Suicide Notes

….The Call Answered

• Formed in: 1983 • First Album: The Upcoming Terror • Latest album: The Club • Origin: Germany

• Formed in: 1985 • First album: Shattered Existence • Last Album: Scourge • Origin: Britain

• Formed in: 1985 • First Album: Licensed to Thrash • Latest Album: Planet Pandemonium • Origin: France

• Formed in: 1983 • First Album: Executioners Song • Last Album: Decibels • Origin: Canada

• Formed in: 1982 • First Album: Fear of Tomorrow • Latest Album: When Death Comes • Origin: Denmark

The 90’s: The Calm… • Thrash exploded into a phenomena during the 80’s but, at the height of its reign it collapsed when entering the new decade. Grunge took over the mainstream and only those loyal remained. Albums like Endorama, Risk, The Black Album, and Divine Intervention saw a shift from the fundamentals whether for the best or not.

…Before the Storm: The Resurgence • As the millennium hit years of fed up head bangers and a new generation born into a love of this music have spawned a resurgence of thrash staying true to the main structure and style of the 80’s

• Formed in: 2006 • Album: Drunk or Dead • Origin: Italy

• Formed in: 2002 • First Album: Survival of the Fastest • Latest Album: Tales from the Grave in Space • Origin: Ireland

• Formed in: 1998 • Album: Release the Rancor • Origin: Spain

• Formed in: 2004 • First Album: Enter the Grave • Latest Album: Infected Nations • Origin: Britain

• Formed in: 2003 • First Album: Evil in the Night • Latest Album: Realm of Terror • Origin: U.S.A

• Formed in: 2004 • First Album: Necromantic Maelstrom • Latest Album: World Gone Dead • Origin: U.S.A

In Summary • As we have seen (and because I forgot to add this shit in at the start) thrash is based around the aspect of speed hence the alternate name “Speed Metal”. It focuses on blistering riffs which can be accented with chugging, melodies and extensive solos. Content varies widely but main focuses generally include war, politics, drinking/alcoholism, and violence.