The Best of Heavy Metal in the 80’s

A look at the best heavy metal bands of the 1980’s.

The Big Four

The Big Four of thrash metal are Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax. They are considered the founders and pioneers of the thrash metal genre.

Metallica

Metallica is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California. The band was founded in 1981 by vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, and has been based in San Francisco for most of its career. The group’s fast tempos, instrumentals, and aggressive musicianship placed them as one of the founding “big four” bands of thrash metal, alongside Megadeth, Anthrax, and Slayer. Metallica’s current lineup includes founding members Hetfield and Ulrich, longtime lead guitarist Kirk Hammett, and bassist Robert Trujillo. Guitarist Dave Mustaine (who went on to form Megadeth) was a member of the band from 1983 to 2002.

The band’s first four albums—Kill ‘Em All (1983), Ride the Lightning (1984), Master of Puppets (1986), and …And Justice for All (1988)—were commercially successful, with the last two becoming a critical success; they were ranked as two of the greatest albums of all time in conflicting magazine lists. The eponymous fifth album Metallica attained diamond certification in the United States within two months; it became the best-selling album released in 1991and fifth-best-selling album in history. Their sixth album, Reload (1997), entered at number one on Billboard 200 chart; it marked a return to their heavier sound after experimenting with different genres on their fifth album.
The band has won nine Grammy Awards and released ten studio albums, three live albums, four extended plays (EPs) and 24 singles. In 2009, Metallica was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They have sold over 110 million records worldwide, making them one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time.

Megadeth

Megadeth is an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. The group was formed in 1983 by guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson, shortly after Mustaine’s dismissal from Metallica. A pioneer of the American thrash metal scene, the band is credited as one of the genre’s “big four” with Anthrax, Metallica and Slayer, responsible for its development and popularization. Megadeth plays in a technical style, featuring fast rhythm sections and complex instrumentation. Themes of death, war, politics and religion are prominent in the group’s lyrics.

In 1985, Megadeth released its debut album Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good!, on the independent label Combat Records; the album sold well but received little attention from mainstream radio or press. The group’s next release, Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying?, was a commercial success; it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and earned Megadeth a Grammy Award nomination for “Best Metal Performance”. Their next album Countdown to Extinction (1992) was also very successful, reaching platinum status and becoming their most commercially successful release with over two million copies sold worldwide. It peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 chart behind Nirvana’s Nevermind in September 1992. Youthanasia (1994) followed suit, capturing second place again behind Pearl Jam’s Vitalogy in 1994; both albums have since been certified triple-platinum by the RIAA. Hidden Treasures (1995), a compilation album featuring unreleased tracks and outtakes, opened at number nine on Billboard 200—the highest position for a newly released megametal album since Warrant’s Cherry Pie—and achieved gold certification within two months of its release.

The band experienced another commercial uplift with Cryptic Writings (1997), which debuted at number three on the Billboard 200—their highest charting position to date—and went on to be certified double-platinum by late 1997; it remains their most recent studio effort to achieve such certification. In 1998, Megadeth cancelled plans to tour in support of Cryptic Writings due to Mustaine’s arm injuries suffered earlier that year; this ultimately resulted in his temporary departure from music altogether. In June 2001, he rejoined Anthrax on stage during that band’s Big Four performance at Madison Square Garden alongside Metallica , Slayer and Slayer frontman/bassist Tom Araya who filled in for Kerry King . Since 2002 , Megadeth has released eleven studio albums: The World Needs a Hero (2001), Countdown to Extinction: Live (2002), Still Alive…and Well?

Slayer

Slayer is an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California. The band was founded in 1981 by guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, and drummer Dave Lombardo. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the “Big Four” thrash metal bands, along with Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax. Since 2015, the band has been represented by guitarist Gary Holt and drummer Paul Bostaph, replacing Hanneman and Lombardo, respectively.

Slayer’s musical style involves fast tremolo picking, double bass drumming, riffs in irregular scales, and vocal styles ranging from shouted vocals to demonic growls. Slayer’s lyrics often deal with death, violence, war, bloodlust, and Satanism. AS of 2009, the band has sold over 5 million albums worldwide.

In November 2004 Rolling Stone magazine ranked Slayer No. 96 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. In 2012 Slayer was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Metal Performance category for “Implode,” making it the second consecutive year they were nominated in that category (after 2011’s “World Painted Blood”).

Anthrax

Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. The band is considered one of the leaders of the thrash metal scene from the 1980s and is one of the “Big Four” thrash metal bands with Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer; Anthrax is the only band to have all of its original members active throughout its career.

The band has released 11 studio albums, several EPs and compilations, and a live album. Anthrax’s first album was Fistful of Metal, released in January 1984. In 1985, the band released Spreading the Disease. Amongst the Thrash Metal Big Four, Anthrax were always at least as commercially successful as Megadeth and always maintained a strong influence over Metallica, who began to move away from their thrash metal roots after releasing …And Justice for All in 1988 to become a more mainstream metal band.

The band experienced another lineup change in 1992, when John Bush from Armored Saint replaced Joey Belladonna as lead vocalist. Sound of White Noise was released the following year and debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200; it was considered a comeback album for the band. Bush’s time with Anthrax saw increased commercial success; by 1996’s Stomp 442 Album), which peaked at number four on Billboard 200, Anthrax sold 2 million records worldwide.

Other Notable Bands

While Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer may have been the big three of 80’s metal, there were plenty of other notable bands worth mentioning. Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Anthrax were all popular bands in the 80’s metal scene.

Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden is a British heavy metal band formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. The band’s first album, 1980’s Iron Maiden, was written primarily by Harris and vocalist Paul Di’Anno. Drummer Clive Burr directed much of the band’s early material, while guitarist Dave Murray contributed to the majority of the band’s songwriting on subsequent albums. Maiden achieved success during the early 1980s with a series of US and UK gold and platinum albums, culminating in 1982’s The Number of the Beast, which debuted at number one in several countries.

Judas Priest

Formed in Birmingham, England in 1969, Judas Priest is one of the most popular and influential heavy metal bands of all time. The band is known for their twin lead guitars, powerful vocals, and patented leather-and-studs image. Judas Priest helped create the New Wave of British Heavy Metal in the late 1970s and rose to prominence in the 1980s with their sixth studio album, British Steel. Throughout their career, the band has sold over 50 million records and released 17 studio albums. Judas Priest was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.

Motorhead

Motorhead is often considered one of the most influential heavy metal bands of all time. Formed in 1975 by bassist and singer Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister, the band had a number of line-up changes before settling on Kilmister, guitarist Eddie Clarke, and drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor. The band’s classic lineup was active from 1979 to 1982, during which time they released some of their most iconic albums, such as “Ace of Spades” and “Overkill”. The band continued to tour and release albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with Kilmister the only constant member. They disbanded in 2015 following Kilmister’s death.

Exodus

Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1979 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Exodus was one of the earliest and most influential of the second-wave American thrash metal bands, along with Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, and Testament.

Exodus had particular success in the mid- to late 1980s with their first three albums—Bonded by Blood (1985), Pleasures of the Flesh (1987) and Fabulous Disaster (1989). The critical praise given to Bonded by Blood caught the attention of major labels, such as Columbia Records and Capitol Records. After signing with Capitol, Exodus released two more albums—Impact Is Imminent (1990) and Force of Impact (1992), before disbanding in 1994.

After temporarily reuniting in 1997–1998, Exodus reformed once again in 2001, and since then have released five studio albums, The Atrocity Exhibition… Exhibit A (2007), Exhibit B: The Human Condition (2010), Blood In, Blood Out (2014), Let There Be Blood (2008) – a re-recording of Bonded by Blood – and Dark Roots of Earth (2012). Steve Zetro Souza rejoined Exodus in 2004 on vocals after previously being a member from 1986 to 1993. Guitarist Rick Hunolt was also a member of Exodus from 1986 to 2005.

In October 2014, it was announced that Rob Dukes would be replacing Souza as lead vocalist for Exodus. Dukes has been a member of Exodus since 2005.

The Legacy

The 1980’s were a great decade for heavy metal. Some of the best bands in heavy metal history released some of their greatest albums during this decade. Metallica, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, and Slayer all released albums that would go on to be considered some of the greatest metal albums of all time. If you’re a fan of heavy metal, then the 80’s were a great decade for you.

The influence of the 80’s metal scene can still be felt today

The 80’s metal scene was a hotbed of activity, with some of the most influential bands in the genre emerging during that decade. While the sound of metal has evolved over the years, the influence of those early bands can still be felt today. Here’s a look at some of the best metal bands from the 80’s, and how they’ve influenced the sound of metal in the decades since.

Iron Maiden: One of the most popular and influential metal bands of all time, Iron Maiden rose to prominence in the early 80’s with their groundbreaking debut album, “Number of the Beast.” With their signature twin-guitar attack and vocalist Bruce Dickinson’s powerful wail, Iron Maiden helped to define the sound of heavy metal in the 80’s and laid the groundwork for generations of metal bands to come.

Judas Priest: Another one of heavy metal’s most influential bands, Judas Priest was at the forefront of the genre in the 70’s and 80’s with albums like “Unleashed in the East” and “Defenders of the Faith.” With their muscular riffs and Rob Halford’s soaring vocals, Judas Priest helped to define what heavy metal could be, and their influence is still felt today.

Metallica: One of heavy metal’s biggest bands, Metallica rose to prominence in the mid-80’s with their seminal album “Ride The Lightning.” With their aggressive sound and technical prowess, Metallica pushed heavy metal to new heights in popularity and influence, and they remain one ofmetal’s biggest bands to this day.

Megadeth: Formed by former Metallica guitarist Dave Mustaine, Megadeth quickly established themselves as one of heavy metal’s premier bands with albums like ” Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?” With their mix of thrash metal aggression and technical wizardry, Megadeth helped to shape heavy metal in the 80’s and continues to be a major force in the genre today.