The Best Thrash Metal of the 80s

The Best Thrash Metal of the 80s – a list of the top 10 thrash metal bands from the 1980s, including Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax.

Introduction

The genre of thrash metal emerged in the early 1980s and is a subgenre of heavy metal. Thrash metal is characterized by its fast tempo and aggressive musical style. The lyrics often deal with social issues and are sometimes political in nature.

The first thrash metal band is generally considered to be Metallica, who released their debut album Kill ‘Em All in 1983. Other influential bands from the 1980s include Megadeth, Exodus, Anthrax, Slayer, and Testament. These bands were responsible for developing the sound and style of thrash metal which would come to dominate the genre in the following decade.

The 1980s was a golden era for thrash metal, with many great albums being released during this time. In this article, we will be countdowning the 10 best thrash metal albums of the 1980s.

Metallica- Ride the Lightning

Ride the Lightning is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica, released on July 27, 1984, by the independent record label Megaforce Records. The album was recorded in three weeks with producer Flemming Rasmussen at the Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The artwork, based on a concept by frontman James Hetfield, depicts an electric chair being struck by lightning flowing from the band’s logo. The title was taken from a writing by Stephen King. Musically, Ride the Lightning is faster and heavier than its predecessor Kill ‘Em All. Lead guitarist Kirk Hammett used his increase in skill to provide solos that were more technical than on the previous album. Furthermore, Hetfield’s lyrics dealt with more serious topics than those of Kill ‘Em All.

Ride the Lightning received positive reviews upon release and was commercially successful in the United States and Europe, although it did not match the sales figures of its predecessor due to its late 1984 release date. The album was ranked 37th on Rolling Stone’s list of 50 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time and was selected by Magnet as one of “The 20 Best Metal Albums Of 1984”. It has been certified 6× Platinum in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Megadeth- Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying?

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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 thrash metal’s development and popularization. Megadeth plays in a technical style, featuring fast rhythm sections and complex song structures. Due to frequent lineup changes, bassist Ellefson is the only original member present in the band. Megadeth has released fifteen studio albums, five live albums, two compilation albums, forty-nine singles, ten video albums, and thirty-six music videos. The band has won seven Grammy Awards; six of them were earned while they were nominated for Best Metal Performance. Megadeth won its first Grammy Award in 2017 for the song “Dystopia” in the Best Metal Performance category—the first Grammy in the band’s history—34 years after it was formed. They earned nominations for eight consecutive years between 1990 and 1997. According to Nielsen SoundScan,Megadeth sold 38 million records worldwide,[4][5] including 5 million records awarded with gold and platinum certifications by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Megadeth received its first RIAA gold certification for Century Media reissue of Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying? Its second RIAA gold certification was awarded for Countdown to Extinction (1992). In 2005, Time magazine ranked Megadeth number 44 on its 100 Greatest Artists of All Time list.[6] In 2017 Revolver magazine ranked them number 15 on their 50 Greatest Live Albums of All Time list.[7]

Slayer- Reign in Blood

Slayer’s ‘Reign in Blood’ is often hailed as one of the best metal albums of all time, not just thrash metal. It’s the perfect balance of Slayer’s signature sound with just the right amount of technicality and songwriting prowess. Every song is a headbanger, from the anthemic “Raining Blood” to the eerie “Altar of Sacrifice”. This is a must-have for any fan of thrash metal, or metal in general.

Anthrax- Among the Living

Anthrax’s third album, Among the Living, is their best and most popular, containing some of their best-known songs. The title track is a thrash classic, and both “I Am the Law” and “Indians” are staples of the band’s live shows. The album is also notable for its intro, “A.I.R.,” which features an air raid siren followed by an ominous bass line (provided by then-new bassist Frank Bello). Overall, Among the Living is a thrash classic and one of Anthrax’s best albums.

Exodus- Bonded by Blood

Exodus is often credited as one of the most important bands in the development of thrash metal. Their debut album, Bonded by Blood, is widely considered to be a genre classic and one of the best thrash albums of all time.

Formed in the Bay Area in 1980, Exodus was founded by guitarist/vocalist Paul Baloff and guitarist Rick Hunolt. The band’s early lineup also included bassist/vocalist Geoff Andrews and drummer Carlton Melson. Exodus was highly influenced by New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands like Iron Maiden and Diamond Head, as well as hardcore punk bands like the Dead Kennedys and Black Flag.

Bonded by Blood was recorded in 1984 and released the following year on LP and cassette. The album was met with positive reviews from critics and fans alike, and its popularity led to Exodus touring heavily throughout 1985 and 1986. In 1987, Baloff was replaced by Steve Zetro Souza as Exodus’ frontman, and the band released their second album, Pleasures of the Flesh.

Testament- The Legacy

Formed in 1984, Testament is often credited as one of the leaders of the Bay Area thrash metal scene, along with bands like Metallica, Exodus and Slayer. The band’s first two albums “The Legacy” (1987) and “New Order” (1988) are considered to be among the greatest thrash metal albums of all time. “The Legacy” in particular is a stone-cold classic, and its opening track “Over the Wall” is widely regarded as one of the best thrash metal songs ever written. If you’re a fan of 80s thrash metal, you need Testament in your life.

Death- Scream Bloody Gore

Death’s debut album, Scream Bloody Gore, is considered by many to be the first true death metal album. It was released in 1987 and influenced a whole generation of metal bands. The album is relentless, with fast, driving riffs and guttural vocals. It’s a must-listen for any fan of thrash metal.

Possessed- Seven Churches

Possessed is considered to be one of the fathers of death metal, combining the speed and fury of thrash with the gory subjects and occult themes of early death metal bands like Death and Mantas (later to become Morbid Angel). Their debut album, Seven Churches, was released in 1985 and is a genre-defining classic. From the opening riff of “The Exorcist” to the closing chords of “Twisted Minds”, this album is a non-stop assault of pure malice and brutality. Every song is a banger, and if you’re a fan of thrash metal, death metal, or just heavy music in general, you need to own this album.

Kreator- Pleasure to Kill

Kreator’s 1986 classic Pleasure to Kill is often cited as one of the best thrash metal albums of all time, and it’s not hard to see why. From the opening riff of “Flag of Hate” to the Closing of “Betrayer,” the album is a non-stop assault of ferocious guitars, pounding drums, and Olli Lindholm’s signature growl. Elsewhere, tracks like “Ripping Corpse” and “Under the Guillotine” showcase Kreator’s more melodic side, while “Ira Sancti (When the Saints Are Going Wild)” is a full-on speed metal rager. If you’re looking for a thrash metal album that has it all, look no further than Pleasure to Kill.