10 Best Thrash Metal Bands Outside Of The Big 4

10. Annihilator

Whilst the conventional "Big Four" has already been outlined in this article's intro, it turns out there are other "Big Fours" from other parts of the thrash metal world.

Just north of Slayer-land, Canada has its own Mount Rushmore of thrash bands, represented by a quartet of groups who helped bring the genre to the Great White North. One of them was formed in Ottawa in 1984 and their name is Annihilator.

Named after a tank in an Eddie Murphy movie, Annihilator released their debut album, Alice in Hell, in 1989. Considering that thrash was a very '80s genre, it would be easy to think that this lot were late to the party. However, their music was so popular, it sparked a second wave of thrash popularity.

The group have released 17 studio albums that have sold more than three million copies worldwide, making them the best-selling Canadian thrash band ever. Annihilator's success can be put down to Jeff Waters, who has remained the only constant member over decades of turbulence.

If you believe the old stereotype that all Canadians are quiet and polite, then stick some Annihilator on, that'll change your mind.