10 Best Thrash Metal Bands Outside Of The Big 4
1. Testament
The final stop on this thrash world tour is Testament, another band with a biblical name and another staple of the early days of the genre in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Originally performing as Legacy, the band first gained fame during thrash's second wave, where they emerged as one of the most technically proficient groups on the scene.
The partnership between lead guitarist Alex Skolnik and rhythm-keeper and singer Eric Peterson helped carry the band to new heights and keep the thrash flame burning when so many other acts dropped off.
Testament have been cited as an influence by many great names in music; Pantera; Korn; Drowning Pool; Trivium; Killswitch Engage; White Zombie; and many more have built on the work they did to push metal forward through the use of strong melodies and tight musical performances.
Had they come along just that little bit earlier, there is every chance that Testament could have been genuine contenders for the Big Four. They are just as important to the thrash story as any of those bands and any fans who haven't yet sought out their music are doing themselves a great disservice.