The Top 25 Albums you must have and hear: Thrash Metal

[Northman]

Slayer - Reign In Blood
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Its Hard to pin down exactly what album best represents this band simply because there is a lot
of great material from them. However, most agreed its best to start where "Angel of Death" began.

Anthrax- Among the Living
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Although "State of Euphoria" is my favorite Anthrax album i cannot deny the impact of this record.
With songs like "Indians" and "Caught in the Mosh" i simply cannot argue why this one was chosen among the rest.

Sepultura - Beneath The Remains
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Basically when it came to Sepultura it came down to "Beneath the Remains" and "Arise". But many agreed that more thrash elements existed on this record than the latter including myself.

Dark Angel- Darkness Descends
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This is basically where it all started for the mighty Gene Hoglan. The band never really gained much noteriety outside of the diehards but till this day is still one of the most influential bands to be
mentioned.

Overkill - The Years of Decay
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I have zero arguement with this as its one of my alltime favorite records. It was one of the most
experimental moments for the band and simply defines perfection in my opinion on how thrash should be done.

Flotsam and Jetsam- Doomsday for the Deceiver
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Im still not sure why this album gets as much hype as it does. Its not bad of course but ive always
felt that "No Place of Disgrace" was their unicorn and the album to beat. But, maybe some has to do with original bassist Jason Newsted who later went on to join Metallica.

Exodus - Bonded By Blood
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Its no surprise that this band and record find its way on this list and was virtually exclusive that almost no other album by them was mentioned as a must have.

Laaz Rockit- Annihilation Principle
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Had this record not made it on the list i probably would of quit metal alltogether. Just kidding. But still one of the most underappreciated and unheard albums of its time im glad that the metal faithful realize its importance and its style.

Megadeth - Rust in Peace
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I could of easily lived with "So Far, So Good, So What" making this list but the reality is "Rust in Peace" is easily one of the best albums of its generation. Not only does it showcase outstanding musicianship but overall i felt it marked Megadeth at its most brutal with speed and intensity.

Testament- The New Order
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This one was close as "The Legacy" got mentioned a few times in its own right. But i would agree that "The New Order" is perfection and Testament at their best. The production was stronger and the writing heavy and melodic.

[Northman]

Legion of the Damned- Sons of the Jackyl
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Ill be honest, i did not expect to see this band up here. But was pleasantly surprised that in the modern age of thrash that they are being recognized as one of the bands of the future to be contended with. And although they have at least 3 i could easily put up here this one is truly the best of them all.

Metallica- Master of Puppets
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Do we really need to cover this? Probably the most notable thrash album ever made. Oh how do i miss the old days of this band.

Vio-lence- Eternal Nightmare
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Never been a huge fan of this band but have noticed the popularity of this album. Ironically, guitarist Robb Flynn went on to form Machine Head after this effort and got mentioned with the album "Burn My Eye's" a couple of times in its own right.

Destruction- Release from Agony
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The only Destruction album i can deal with on any level. Good stuff.

Forbidden- Twisted into Form
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Highly underrated record. Even though "Forbidden Evil" got mentioned a couple of times this record far surpasses that one in my opinion. The song "Step by Step" is an alltime classic.

Heathen- Victims of Deception
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I still laugh at those who thought this band was dry and boring when i mentioned them in the MM battles. But those who understand the band and understand thrash know what im talking about here with these guys. Although their new record was very poor they still hit gold with this record and basically set the stage for technical/progressive thrash of modern day.

Metal Church- The Dark
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Definitely one of my favorite albums by the band as the first 3 are outstanding. But much like Nevermore who made it on Crash's top ten list of the last decade ive always looked at Metal Church more as a heavy metal band and not thrash. But they do have some thrash elements so its hard to argue them off of here.

Annihilator- Alice in Hell
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Was kind of surprised to see Annihilator on here only because ive never really found an album that is a must have from them. This album to me has 3 songs tops that worthy of recognition but i do suppose the title track is one of the best ever made.

Kreator- Pleasure to Kill
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Unlike most when it comes to Kreator i started with their later material and went backwards when hearing them. I still prefer their recent material compared to the older stuff but i understand why they are here.

Holy Moses- Finished with the Dogs
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I can thank Dennis for actually introducing me to this band. This is a very good album and would of been missed by most. Im glad they made the list.

Nuclear Assault- Game Over
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Everytime i think of this band i think of the video for "Brainwashed" or the cover of Zeppelin's "Good Times". Even watching Wilker play with Autopsy this year at MDF reminds of the good ol' days of Nuclear Assault.

Morbid Saint- Spectrum of Death
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I dont know much about this band or album but evidently has a very high importance on most thrash lists.

Suicidal Tendencies- How Will I Laugh Tomorrow, When i cant even Smile Today
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Definitely my first introduction to Suicidal Tendencies with classics such as "Trip at the Brain" and "Pledge Your Allegiance". But i still would of chosen "Art of Rebellion" over this just because it was a much more stronger and mature album from the band.

Pantera- Cowboys From Hell
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Im glad that Pantera found some spot on this list. Not just because of the passing of Dimebag but because this album is actually a very strong and solid record. Obviously, there is a lot of influence from Metallica with the standard thrash riffing that goes on throughout it but there is plenty of other aspects that distinguishes it from the influence.

Voivod- Dimension Hatross
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Probably one of the most unique bands to ever be in existence (at least back then). I personally never saw them as a thrash band but again the public has spoken.

[MasterShake]

I used to love Anthrax. I need to get their catalog again. One of my few ventures into Metal besides Iron Maiden and early Metallica that I really liked.

[keithbishop]

Out of curiosity.... do you not like other Destruction albums due to Schmier's vocals (I like them, but he's got a "love it or hate it " voice) ? I never tire of listening to their early stuff, especially Mad Butcher/Eternal Devastation and Live Without Sense. Their newer stuff (not the stuff without Schmier, though there were some good songs on Cracked Brain) ..... I'm OK with it, just not floored like I was with the riffs from their albums through Release From Agony.

Sodom, Destruction, and Kreator were quite the trinity once upon a time. I stumbled across an old rehearsal tape when we mixed in some covers of songs by Celtic Frost (The Usurper and Babylon Fell) , Venom (Black Metal) , Cathedral (Ebony Tears), Sodom (Agent Orange), and Kreator (Some Pain Will Last) the other day (we very rarely played cover songs). I about fell over last week.... my girlfriend's son was playing Grand Theft Auto..... and Babylon Fell was playing on a stereo in one of the cars! Telling a 13 year old about Celtic Frost was great. I had my son listen to their Into the Pandemonium CD the next day.

Jerry (my 12 year old son) names Judas Priest as his favorite band, by the way. No idea why. ;):lol:

Cool kid.

[Northman]

Out of curiosity.... do you not like other Destruction albums due to Schmier's vocals (I like them, but he's got a "love it or hate it " voice) ? I never tire of listening to their early stuff, especially Mad Butcher/Eternal Devastation and Live Without Sense. Their newer stuff (not the stuff without Schmier, though there were some good songs on Cracked Brain) ..... I'm OK with it, just not floored like I was with the riffs from their albums through Release From Agony.

You know, im not sure what it is about Destruction that i cant really get into. But i was talking with some other metalheads on some other forums and they were kind of disappointed that Sodom didnt make it on there somewhere which is understandable but for personally i never got into them either. Ive tried to get into "Persecution Mania" and "Agent Orange" but it just does nothing for me. Kreator i have no problem getting into although i do enjoy the later stuff more.


Sodom, Destruction, and Kreator were quite the trinity once upon a time. I stumbled across an old rehearsal tape when we mixed in some covers of songs by Celtic Frost (The Usurper and Babylon Fell) , Venom (Black Metal) , Cathedral (Ebony Tears), Sodom (Agent Orange), and Kreator (Some Pain Will Last) the other day (we very rarely played cover songs). I about fell over last week.... my girlfriend's son was playing Grand Theft Auto..... and Babylon Fell was playing on a stereo in one of the cars! Telling a 13 year old about Celtic Frost was great. I had my son listen to their Into the Pandemonium CD the next day.

Love Celtic Frost, "Morbid Tales" is a grand album.


Jerry (my 12 year old son) names Judas Priest as his favorite band, by the way. No idea why. ;):lol:

Cool kid.

Did he get into your collection and try some out for size? :D

[keithbishop]

You know, im not sure what it is about Destruction that i cant really get into. But i was talking with some other metalheads on some other forums and they were kind of disappointed that Sodom didnt make it on there somewhere which is understandable but for personally i never got into them either. Ive tried to get into "Persecution Mania" and "Agent Orange" but it just does nothing for me. Kreator i have no problem getting into although i do enjoy the later stuff more.



Love Celtic Frost, "Morbid Tales" is a grand album.



Did he get into your collection and try some out for size? :D

Ahhhh..... to each their own. Persecution Mania is one of my favorites.
Oddly enough, Kreator lost me in 1992, when Renewal came out. It was their 2nd album with ex-Sodom guitarist Frank Blackfire. I liked the previous album, Coma of Souls, though (Blackfire's 1st with Kreator).

To Mega Therion is my favorite by Celtic Frost, but I love Morbid Tales, Into the Pandemonium, and Hellhammer, too. Hard to beat Tom G Warrior's guitar sound.

He raids my collection constantly. Plenty of Priest to choose from, too.... all their releases on CD, VHS, and DVD, plus some bootleg stuff on CD and VHS. We've been watching the new DVD a lot. He's been listening to some of my Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell, and Dio, too. Love it.

Works like magic getting him to do his chores. He's learned they're a lot more fun to do while listening to Priest.

Nothing beats hearing him sing Judas Priest in the shower. That's my boy!

[weazel]

shit I had about 95% of those albums. I haven't listened to some of them in probably 15 years. Still listen to the Slayer, Pantera, Metallica and Anthrax stuff though.