10 Essential Thrash Metal Bands You Need To Listen To
4. Metallica
To even those who know nought about thrash, Metallica are a seminal, iconic name.
Easily the most successful thrash band ever, the metal icons got their start with the less than subtly titled 'Kill 'Em All' in 1983. It was only with their sophomore effort, 'Ride the Lightning', that they really started showing their flare for killer riffs and epic-length instrumentals. Both traits, along with their knack for catchy, compelling lyrics, became cornerstones in their early '90s rise to mainstream superstardom.
While their mid-to-late '90s move into other areas of rock and metal irritated longtime fans, no group has ever done more for the recognition of thrash on a commercial level. After the lengthy, complicated highs of 'Master of Puppets', Metallica enjoyed MTV superstardom via the music video release of 'One' from '... And Justice for All'. The music video, involving footage of an old anti-war film in which a hapless soldier has his arms, legs, senses and just about everything else blown off, caught fire.
Drowning in buzz and intrigue, Metallica streamlined their sound with 'The Black Album', an LP that officially peaked the popularity of thrash metal as a whole.
The group remain one of the most recognisable faces of metal to this day and continue to impress whenever they release new material (bar that bizarre collaborative LP with Lou Reed of course). A must-listen for their innovation, development and creativity in the thrash scene.