10 Essential Thrash Metal Bands You Need To Listen To

Thrash, one of metal's most enduring and blistering off-shoots, has had a habit of falling in and out of favour with metalheads over the years. An explosive hybrid of the budding hardcore and punk rock scenes of the early '80s with more traditional heavy metal, it took the speed and heaviness to the extreme.

Notorious for its blistering, incomprehensibly fast pace and typically ruthless attitude, thrash metal set the US, German and Brazilian metal scenes on fire throughout the '80s. Bar a select few acts few who managed to secure a commendable level of mainstream recognition, the subgenre died hard in the '90s as new fads and sounds made their way into the metal world.

In 2022, thrash is more of a cult favourite subgenre with many of the greats and not-so-greats of yesteryear still going wild in the recording booth and on stage. While it's unlikely to ever revisit its late '80s dominance, the sound of the extreme still has a lot to offer listeners from its early days right up to now.

On a technical level, the difference between some groups is night and day. On the heaviness front though, one is always in for an ear-ringing good time when the psychotic guitars and machine gun drums of thrash kick in.

So close and yet so far. For Testament, the phrase 'Big Five' is a painful one. It reflects their status as being the not quite member of thrash's vaunted Big Four: Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer.

Despite their frustrating second-best status, Testament are brimming with priceless thrash metal artefacts for eager listeners out there. Tearing out of the Bay Area thrash scene, the group came hot on the heels of Metallica's rising stardom in the '80s, securing plentiful interest with the release of 'The New Order' in 1988.

Taking inspiration from both the growing thrash movement of the '80s and British rock and metal staples such as Iron Maiden and Def Leppard, Testament boast a relentless, often groove-influenced sound. As the '90s rolled in and thrash started a slow and painful death, the Berkeley crew dabbled in all manner of new and experimental sounds to retain relevance. The results are often mixed but frequently compelling and proof that the group were more creative and daring than many of their peers.

Frontman Chuck Billy provides a more upbeat, almost positive vibe to proceedings than most thrash vocalists, indwelling the often chaotic lyrics with energy and enthusiasm. Original lead guitarist Alex Skolnick has also produced some killer riffs during his time with the group ensuring the band, particularly in its early days, remain a riveting, heart-racing listen.