Who is the Greatest of the Big Four of Thrash Metal?

Unknown Soldier · 08-28-2010, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackhammer

Testament's debut 'The Legacy' whilst rough around the edges is generally regarded as one of the best Thrash albums outside of the big four and rightly so. I personally think that they lost momentum with each subsequent album and regardless whether they dipped their toes into Death Metal later on, they had enough about them earl;y on to really make it. They made an album a couple of years back which was absolutely awful and stank of nu metal cheese and not in a pleasant, aromatic way either.

As for what Urban stated- he is entirely correct. Just because many bands turned out crap through utilising Hip Hop doesn't mean that the hybrid is without merit.

Both forms of music (discounting certain bands lyrics etc) are very similar. DIY music made in a garage and socially relavent.

I will still champion Mordred as the greatest and most influential band of this era though and many years above the usual contenders.

Despite "The Legacy" and its high regard I was never overly mad over it and preferred the following album "The New Order"

By the way, I`m not one of the people that has rubbished Anthrax on here, but just said they weren`t as good as the other big four in general, I even recognize "Among the Living" as one of the essential thrash albums of the era.

Mordred!!! Now there`s a long forgotten band.

supermarlin · 09-09-2010, 03:05 AM

Hi, thought I'd find out who the forum thinks is the best band of the Big Four of thrash metal. Is it Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth or Anthrax? I am personally a big Metallica fan followed by Megadeth then Slayer. But what are your thoughts? Should there be one band replaced by Exodus or Testament? Or perhaps a 'Big 5'?

Redeem3r · 09-12-2010, 05:41 PM

It's a toss up between Slayer and Megadeth. Metallica hasn't been thrash since the 80s and I've never been a fan of Anthrax.

Musicfanatic · 10-06-2010, 12:52 AM

Okay, you'll all have to help me here. What exactly is thrash? I mean, the way I have always looked at it is that Slayer is "death" metal not "thrash". And could anyone tell me besides Metallica's St. Anger, what other band(s/albums) are considered nu-metal? I know there's been mention that Slayer did that in Diabolus in Musica, which happens to be my favorite of Slayer's output - please, don't thrash me. Seems I've been led astray in what I've come to believe thrash is all about, which is madness as a theme, and speedy instrumentals, along with harsh singing, the latter two Slayer does indeed hit on hardest, though. As for madness, Metallica sings about betrayal (Master of Puppets) and madness/depression (Welcome Home, Frayed Ends of Sanity/Fade to Black), and endtimes (Blackend) and the supernatural (The Thing That Should not Be). Whereas Slayer is always singing about death, murder, etc. Slayer's overly obsessive lyrics deal mostly in death (Angel of Death comes to mind). Metallica is always about that which can cause death, but not necessarily the act in and of itself.

Metallica is my favorite of the 4. And I've never really made a big judgment call of their entering bluesy rock. 1st one I bought was Load. I love that album, but my favorite is Kill 'em All. But something funny about that is that it wasn't always my favorite. About a decade or so ago I used to think that the album sounded the same, every song except Seek & Destroy. But that one has indeed grown on me since, hence it has since become my favorite album of all time. Go figure.

And when it comes to Megadeth, my favorite album of theirs is Cryptic Writtings...GASP! I don't know, maybe I ain't as hardcore as I once thought I was. I guess I just have a bit further range of music appriciation - Garth Brooks' Ropin' the Wind is my 5th favorite album of all time. I know, I'm weird! Well, the last time I listened to it I still liked it alot. I mean, I know I really like the album, but I don't know, I should give it a listen here soon to see if it's still #5.

I remember reading a review of Anthrax's greatest hits CD, where it talks about their branching out to rap-metal, e.g., I'm the Man. I was almost sighing at the thought of another rap-metal song. But it turned out to be my most listened to by them. Weird, agian, I know. But I seem to break precidents within every medium.

**Janszoon** · 10-06-2010, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicfanatic

Okay, you'll all have to help me here. What exactly is thrash? I mean, the way I have always looked at it is that Slayer is "death" metal not "thrash". And could anyone tell me besides Metallica's St. Anger, what other band(s/albums) are considered nu-metal?

Thrash is basically what happened in the early to mid 1980s after metal got a shot of hardcore punk in the arm: high energy, fast, aggressive music with shouted vocals and lyrics which frequently involved social commentary. Thrash gave birth to death metal in the mid to late 80s, and though some of Slayer's music was influential on death metal, Slayer themselves are not death metal. Listen to some Death, Obituary, Deicide, Suffocation, Immolation etc. if you want to hear what death metal sounds like. You'll find it's generally "thicker" sounding than thrash, with cookie monster vocals that are one of its defining characteristics.

Nu-metal is the sad result of grunge and rap blending into metal in the mid to late 90s. Its defining characteristics are downtuned guitars, an emphasis on groove, a lack of solos, much slower tempos than thrash or death metal and vocals with a noticeable rap or grunge influence. Some well known nu-metal bands are Korn, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot, Sevendust and Papa Roach.

Unknown Soldier · 10-06-2010, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicfanatic

Okay, you'll all have to help me here. What exactly is thrash? I mean, the way I have always looked at it is that Slayer is "death" metal not "thrash". And could anyone tell me besides Metallica's St. Anger, what other band(s/albums) are considered nu-metal? I know there's been mention that Slayer did that in Diabolus in Musica, which happens to be my favorite of Slayer's output - please, don't thrash me. Seems I've been led astray in what I've come to believe thrash is all about, which is madness as a theme, and speedy instrumentals, along with harsh singing, the latter two Slayer does indeed hit on hardest, though. As for madness, Metallica sings about betrayal (Master of Puppets) and madness/depression (Welcome Home, Frayed Ends of Sanity/Fade to Black), and endtimes (Blackend) and the supernatural (The Thing That Should not Be). Whereas Slayer is always singing about death, murder, etc. Slayer's overly obsessive lyrics deal mostly in death (Angel of Death comes to mind). Metallica is always about that which can cause death, but not necessarily the act in and of itself.

Metallica is my favorite of the 4. And I've never really made a big judgment call of their entering bluesy rock. 1st one I bought was Load. I love that album, but my favorite is Kill 'em All. But something funny about that is that it wasn't always my favorite. About a decade or so ago I used to think that the album sounded the same, every song except Seek & Destroy. But that one has indeed grown on me since, hence it has since become my favorite album of all time. Go figure.

And when it comes to Megadeth, my favorite album of theirs is Cryptic Writtings...GASP! I don't know, maybe I ain't as hardcore as I once thought I was. I guess I just have a bit further range of music appriciation - Garth Brooks' Ropin' the Wind is my 5th favorite album of all time. I know, I'm weird! Well, the last time I listened to it I still liked it alot. I mean, I know I really like the album, but I don't know, I should give it a listen here soon to see if it's still #5.

I remember reading a review of Anthrax's greatest hits CD, where it talks about their branching out to rap-metal, e.g., I'm the Man. I was almost sighing at the thought of another rap-metal song. But it turned out to be my most listened to by them. Weird, agian, I know. But I seem to break precidents within every medium.

Besides Janszoon`s points, try looking at groove metal, you`ll probably enjoy it. It derived out of thrash and kind of sits between thrash metal and Nu-metal (soundwise) and is probably the heaviest of the three but not as fast as thrash. Best known bands are Pantera, Sepultura, White Zombie, Machine Head and Lamb of God. Most of these bands sound quite different so if you don`t like one, doesn`t mean that you won`t like the others.

Another death metal must listen are Morbid Angel. Also you may want to try the melodic death metal scene which is largely dominated by Swedish bands such as At the Gates, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, Hypocrisy, Arched Enemy and Tiamat.

If you want a mind blowing heavy listen, check out Meshuggah`s "Destroy Erase Improve" It f**kin blew me into next week when I first listened to it.

**Janszoon** · 10-06-2010, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

If you want a mind blowing heavy listen, check out Meshuggah`s "Destroy Erase Improve" It f**kin blew me into next week when I first listened to it.

Ah, I love Meshuggah. I only have two of their albums though (Nothing and ObZen). I'll have to give Destroy Erase Improve a listen.

JVB · 10-06-2010, 12:34 PM

I like all four of them, but I chose Metallica. Not because I necessarily listen all that much to Metallica, or because they've had the most commercial succes. But because their music is more varied and they are great musicians technically speaking. (the last part can be said for all four bands really). But it seems to me Metallica have a greater number of songs that really stand out.

Necromancer · 10-06-2010, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JVB

But it seems to me Metallica have a greater number of songs that really stand out.

Metallica is more mainstream than any of the other bands.

Jonny Redshirt · 10-06-2010, 02:59 PM

I like Metallica the best, really, despite their rampant selling out in the 90's. I think their 80's thrash stuff is the cream of the crop. Truth be told, I don't even particularly like Megadeth very much outside of one or two albums. Slayer are better, though. Haven't heard enough Anthrax to call judgment on them.

View Poll Results: Who is the Greatest of the Big Four of thrash metal?
Anthrax	12	6.98%
Megadeth	47	27.33%
Metallica	69	40.12%
Slayer	44	25.58%
Voters: 172. You may not vote on this poll

09-09-2010, 03:05 AM	#72 (permalink)
supermarlin Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 255	Favourite of the Four Hi, thought I'd find out who the forum thinks is the best band of the Big Four of thrash metal. Is it Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth or Anthrax? I am personally a big Metallica fan followed by Megadeth then Slayer. But what are your thoughts? Should there be one band replaced by Exodus or Testament? Or perhaps a 'Big 5'?

09-12-2010, 05:41 PM	#73 (permalink)
Redeem3r Groupie Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 3	It's a toss up between Slayer and Megadeth. Metallica hasn't been thrash since the 80s and I've never been a fan of Anthrax. __________________ Prepare the patient's scalp to peel away Metal caps for his ears, he'll hear not what we say Solid steel visor riveted cross his eyes Iron staples close his jaws so no one hears his cries

10-06-2010, 12:34 PM	#78 (permalink)
JVB Groupie Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: out of my mind Posts: 28	I like all four of them, but I chose Metallica. Not because I necessarily listen all that much to Metallica, or because they've had the most commercial succes. But because their music is more varied and they are great musicians technically speaking. (the last part can be said for all four bands really). But it seems to me Metallica have a greater number of songs that really stand out. __________________ The days are labelled with no return To an organized and normal world The chance of joy has disappeared Time has given in

10-06-2010, 02:59 PM	#80 (permalink)
Jonny Redshirt Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 64	I like Metallica the best, really, despite their rampant selling out in the 90's. I think their 80's thrash stuff is the cream of the crop. Truth be told, I don't even particularly like Megadeth very much outside of one or two albums. Slayer are better, though. Haven't heard enough Anthrax to call judgment on them. __________________ "Colleges are like old-age homes, except for the fact that more people die in colleges." Last.FM

10-06-2010, 12:52 AM	#74 (permalink)
Musicfanatic Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 225	Okay, you'll all have to help me here. What exactly is thrash? I mean, the way I have always looked at it is that Slayer is "death" metal not "thrash". And could anyone tell me besides Metallica's St. Anger, what other band(s/albums) are considered nu-metal? I know there's been mention that Slayer did that in Diabolus in Musica, which happens to be my favorite of Slayer's output - please, don't thrash me. Seems I've been led astray in what I've come to believe thrash is all about, which is madness as a theme, and speedy instrumentals, along with harsh singing, the latter two Slayer does indeed hit on hardest, though. As for madness, Metallica sings about betrayal (Master of Puppets) and madness/depression (Welcome Home, Frayed Ends of Sanity/Fade to Black), and endtimes (Blackend) and the supernatural (The Thing That Should not Be). Whereas Slayer is always singing about death, murder, etc. Slayer's overly obsessive lyrics deal mostly in death (Angel of Death comes to mind). Metallica is always about that which can cause death, but not necessarily the act in and of itself. Metallica is my favorite of the 4. And I've never really made a big judgment call of their entering bluesy rock. 1st one I bought was Load. I love that album, but my favorite is Kill 'em All. But something funny about that is that it wasn't always my favorite. About a decade or so ago I used to think that the album sounded the same, every song except Seek & Destroy. But that one has indeed grown on me since, hence it has since become my favorite album of all time. Go figure. And when it comes to Megadeth, my favorite album of theirs is Cryptic Writtings...GASP! I don't know, maybe I ain't as hardcore as I once thought I was. I guess I just have a bit further range of music appriciation - Garth Brooks' Ropin' the Wind is my 5th favorite album of all time. I know, I'm weird! Well, the last time I listened to it I still liked it alot. I mean, I know I really like the album, but I don't know, I should give it a listen here soon to see if it's still #5. I remember reading a review of Anthrax's greatest hits CD, where it talks about their branching out to rap-metal, e.g., I'm the Man. I was almost sighing at the thought of another rap-metal song. But it turned out to be my most listened to by them. Weird, agian, I know. But I seem to break precidents within every medium.