006: Top 10 Thrash Albums... and then some

METAL NERDERY THRASHTERPIECES

THRASH TOP 10

THE BIG FOUR AND BEYOND

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Anthrax popped my big four cherry, heard them before the others oddly enough. This was the first album I heard and maybe that’s why it’s my favorite. After going back and checking out the earlier albums it just seems like the songwriting and production took a huge leap forward with this album. I like pretty much everything they’ve ever put out but this remains my all time favorite.



It was a tough call between this and Peace Sells...But Who’s Buying? As that was my first MegaDave album. Peace Sells is a little rougher around the edges, angrier and has a grittier production but this album is a fuckin’ masterpiece performance and production wise. I’d damn near say it’s about perfect. Technical and melodic at the same time.



While I love the raw enthusiasm of Kill ‘Em All and the songwriting and production refinements of Ride The Lightning, and technical prowess on ...And Justice For All, Puppets is my top Metallica album. They mastered the raw aggression of the first two albums and married it with more focused songwriting resulting in one of the all time thrash greats.



The songwriting and production of the first releases were raw and in your face but a bit spotty. With this album and Rick Rubin's production help they put together a road-map for so many bands to follow. Clocking in at less than 30 minutes it’s, angry, focused, brutal and unapologetic brilliance.


One of the most underrated bands in my opinion, they put out kick ass album after kick ass album. I could pick any of them as my favorite but I’m going with their final studio album until this year (2019). The production and performances are both tighter than a gnat’s ass and it’s an aural pummeling you’ll want to enjoy again and again.


I know a lot of people go with Bonded By Blood or Fabulous Disaster but this is my favorite, maybe because it was my first. It’s just got a different vibe that I don’t know how to explain but it’s got a more serious kind of vibe before they went all Toxic Waltz and Low Rider. Not that those are bad songs, but they’re not Deranged or Chemi-Kill.


Hard decision, could equally be this, The Years of Decay, Killbox 13 or others. Had to go with my first. Hard to beat Shred, Hello From The Gutter and Drunken Wisdom.



Another hard decision really, could be this, Practice What You Preach or most likely The Gathering. That’s a motherfucker of an album with Dave Lombardo on drums. Had to go with my first again, as soon as I heard Over The Wall, COTLOD, and Alone In The Dark I was hooked. 



Just an absolutely brilliant album on all fronts. Musicianship is top notch, production is nice and clear. Heavy and melodic, melancholic and funky, covered lots of musical ground but never felt like it got lost. Drumming is ridiculous.



Love, love, love this album. Heavy, technical, groovy, a bit progressive, great vocals, awesome songs. it’s pretty much all here. Always felt they never got as big as they should’ve. Death Angel did backing vox on Out Of Body and R.I.P.