10 Criminally Underrated Thrash Metal Albums Of All Time

7. Heathen - Victims Of Deception

After two painful years of line-up changes and delays, Heathen finally got 'Victims of Deception' out into the world in 1991.

One of the most technically sound and complex thrash albums ever composed, it was sadly released to relative obscurity. 'Rust in Peace', Megadeth's magnum opus, had come out the year prior boasting many of the ideas and technical concepts explored by Heathen here. Unfortunately, the Bay Area's unsung heroes suffered a case of too little, too late.

As impressive as the guitar solos and general song structures are here, the album failed to garner much traction. In turn, this is one of the greatest thrash albums many have never heard. Its eccentric time signatures and surprising tempo changes prove masterful in upping the album's overall intensity whilst giving it a certain groove often lacking in the thrash world.

Despite its lack of major recognition, 'Victims of Deception' remains a key instalment in the then-budding prog thrash subgenre. While Heathen failed to enjoy the level of success the likes of Metallica and Megadeth did, their artistic contribution to this aspect of the thrash metal movement is more than on the level.

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