10 Greatest Thrash Metal Albums Of All Time
1. Slayer: Reign In Blood (1986)
34 years on and very little comes close to the apocalyptic rush of this 28 minute, 58 second masterpiece. It’s all about the quality, not the quantity and the fury, blood thirst, speed and attitude of Reign In Blood accomplishes in less than 30 minutes than most can in 30 tracks.
Produced by the legendary Rick Rubin, the roof is blown off the already ten ton heavy work of their first 2 albums. Bringing Dave Lombardo’s no hold barred drumming into the light, greatly evolving the band’s already relentless sound. Every track is ramped up to 11, played at speeds so sharp even Motörhead would blush.
On top of the heavy duty guitars there is an attitude of cruelty and controversy that surrounds the album’s lyrics. Angel of Death chronicles the various medical horrors and war crimes of Nazi doctor Josef von Mengele. Disturbing lines spew forth in Tom Araya’s vocals. Focused on grisly violence, sadism, murder and death among other grim topics, Reign In Blood holds some of the most extreme content on this list.
Setting the standard for thrash and an integral inspiration for the soon to emerge death metal genre, music rarely got as nasty or as thrilling as Reign In Blood.