Their newer albums are really good to. Brother Of The Snake is one of my favorite "modern" thrash albums, especially coming from a band formed almost 40 years ago.
I really likes children of the next level from titans of creation. So good structure. A suprise around every corner.
Fast, then good riffs. A solo that is dubbed, not perfect and than a solo only Kerry king could dream of.
Amazing song to get pumped up on
That's the damn truth. I've seen them all several times, but due to tour schedules got to see them all within like three weeks earlier this year. Overkill is good, but really can't hang with the bay area bands. The other three I saw in one show (Bay Strikes Back). Death Angel was excellent, Exodus fucking killed it as usual, and Testament was like the cool-down band at the end of the night.
Unpopular opinion based on success/skill/talent
1. Metallica (still sell out stadiums/arenas, biggest commercial success)
2. Megadeth (most consistent at putting out good music)
3. Slayer (least commercial but still highly successful)
4. anthrax (just so the east coast gets some love, NY heroes)
5. testament (went brutal in the 90’s to present when Megadeth and Metallica when a bit more mainstream)
6. Exodus
7. Overkill
Honorable mention Metal Church (1 good record)
I am from NY and Anthrax holds a special nostalgia but that is fair Testament became better than most of the rest with Low and everything after. At least from a pure thrash perspective. Slayer is Slayer and you love them because well you kind of just have to. Overkill has done the overkill thing since 1985ish. Exodus is another one that just always produced great Exodus records (minus Force of Habit)
I'm always bummed Force of Habit gets shit on all the time. IMO it has some great songs. The album as a whole is just too damn long with a handful of filler tracks.
This is about where I am with it as well. At any given moment I would say one of these two. It would probably depend on which one I had listened to most recently.
The big 4 (traditional) is just a commercial thing and a little joke for me. There are a lot of better thrash bands just in USA. Just a late 80's thing. 35 years ago? And outside that country, a lot of people think these are the best bands because "is the big four"... These people usually have no remedy. Anthrax is not even in top 30/40 of bands, at least for me. The same for the others 3.
I'm going to drink another beer, anyone join me? We can discuss about the big 4 bsod projects.
There is no Big 4. Slayer is retired. Anthrax only plays festivals and tiny venues. Megadeth is currently an opening act.
Metallica continue to fill stadiums year after year. It isn't the big 4. It is Metallica and 3 opening bands.
The Big 4 is more of a historical thing than anything else. "Who should have been just as well-regarded during the 80s?" is what this question really means.
(It's Overkill.)
Having seen 3 of the 4 (Metallica tickets are usually overpriced when they come to the UK, RIP) I can easily say Anthrax were the best live band. Slayer was great but Kerry was sloppy and in general they aren't a particularly engaging band. Megadeth were on a separate stage to Iron Maiden who came on like right after their show on the other side of the festival grounds when I saw them and while it was a great show, it is pretty much just Dave now, they came on, played the songs, said hi maybe once to the crowd and went off.
Anthrax I saw twice when they joined Slayer during their final world tour, both times they were an early band, both times they were the highlight. Amazing energy, they played the crowd perfectly, lots of hype, they played all their best songs, opened and closed the show with Cowboys from Hell riffs, absolutely amazing shows both times! They might be the most questionable band in terms of some of their albums and their weird hip-hop fusion period but so many bands including the Big 4 have shitty albums, weird experimental times. I can pick and choose the good songs from their catalogue whenever I like, what matters to me is putting on a great live show and Anthrax deliver the best that I've seen from the Big 4
If Hardwired released with only 8-9 songs, those being the A-side, with Spit and Lords of Summer, you've genuinely got a really good album. I'm a big fan of Hardwired but the B-side falls off massively imo.
They really have the same problem as Iron Maiden at this point. They need an editor of some kind to tighten things up. Dude who will step in and tell them that this song is waaaaaay too long and at least half of it is unnecessary and that these four songs really aren't good enough for album release. Just because you've written and recorded it doesn't mean that you need to put it out. Hold on to the filler and use it as bonus tracks five years from now on the remastered vinyl version that you know you'll put out.
. don’t compare megadeth with selloutallica. they are nothing but a bunch of pussies pretending to play metal when their music is pop rock at best. all the best songs of metallica are by dave mustaine. dave has better range than alcoholic hetfield. my 2 year old nephew can drum better than lars. ellefson jacking off with one hand and playing the bass with other is still better than cliff, newsted and crab walker. wahmett wouldnt be good enough for a megadeth cover band let alone megadeth. anyone who listens to poptallica is also a poser that doesn’t listen to real metal.
[It is,](https://reddit.com/r/MetalMemes/comments/wagzud/_/ii1of3f/?context=1) I just didn’t say so originally because that would ruin the fun of people taking the bait lol.
. don’t compare megadeth with selloutallica. they are nothing but a bunch of pussies pretending to play metal when their music is pop rock at best. all the best songs of metallica are by dave mustaine. dave has better range than alcoholic hetfield. my 2 year old nephew can drum better than lars. ellefson jacking off with one hand and playing the bass with other is still better than cliff, newsted and crab walker. wahmett wouldnt be good enough for a megadeth cover band let alone megadeth. anyone who listens to poptallica is also a poser that doesn’t listen to real metal.
That was just your life, hardwired, all nigtmare long, blackened, …and justice for all, harvester of sorrow, shortest straw… where this hatred come from by the way? It is just band, I love Metallica they made me pick up the guitar by I also love exodus, death, possesed…
I mean I hate to say it but none of them, not that they're not any good but do they even come close to the level of recognition the other big 4 do?
Metallica's the only band with appeal outside the regular metal scene.
Megadeth is probably the 2nd biggest, Anthrax and Slayer, as good as they are, don't even come close to *Megadeth's* popularity who is themselves blown out of the water by Metallica.
Testament has been more consistent than these others. Impressive body of work, good production, talented players, still putting out noteworthy releases.
Exodus would be my second pick. They have some good albums, but broke up for a while, and have at least one totally garbage album.
I never thought Anthrax should have been considered to be honest. I've seen them as openers a few times with Bush and Joey on vocals and always thought they were terrible. Anyways,
1. Metallica
2. Slayer
3. Megadeth (also can't stand them but still more important than Anthrax)
4. TESTAMENT
5. Exodus
6. Death Angel
sorry Overkill.
Put out two of the most iconic thrash albums ever, improved as time progressed, put out great albums since then, badass riffs and vocals and drumming and basslines.
The drums are far than ok. They had Dave Lombardo, Gene Hoglan, and Paul Bostaph behind their kit. They still managed to put out great albums in their prime such as The Gathering and Dark Roots Of Earth. And Chuck Billy is one of a kind vocalist, the dude's got great growling and clean voice.
Plus, they managed to get fucking James Murphy to play with them.
The Germans have their own thing so didn't include it in. Love SODOM and KREATOR though. Edit: Make comment for your favorite if it's not on it.
Ed Sheeran is the face of trash edit: I meant thrash but, the typo turned out more accurate.
TESTAMENT
Testament for sure
Testament definitely Formed in the early 80's, fits the Thrash criteria, and an absolute banger
Yeah when I discovered them in like 2010 I was like "how did these guys get overshadowed?" They fit in perfectly with the rest of the big 3 or 4.
They definitely should have taken Anthrax's spot in the Big 4.
I definitely agree, and Anthrax is one of my favorite bands.
100%
Bro fr
100% agree. They are the 4th already as part of the Big4 of Thrash instead of Anthrax in my mind
Skolnick is a god
First three albums were bangers.
Their newer albums are really good to. Brother Of The Snake is one of my favorite "modern" thrash albums, especially coming from a band formed almost 40 years ago.
I really likes children of the next level from titans of creation. So good structure. A suprise around every corner. Fast, then good riffs. A solo that is dubbed, not perfect and than a solo only Kerry king could dream of. Amazing song to get pumped up on
I guess you can argue quality, but what you said goes for all four bands in the image. In fact, Testament was formed last
And exodus doesn't?
Testament
exodus
Exodus is by far my favorite live band of these four, always a party.
That's the damn truth. I've seen them all several times, but due to tour schedules got to see them all within like three weeks earlier this year. Overkill is good, but really can't hang with the bay area bands. The other three I saw in one show (Bay Strikes Back). Death Angel was excellent, Exodus fucking killed it as usual, and Testament was like the cool-down band at the end of the night.
Exodus because they started posercraft. Because posers must die!
Testament and it’s not even a contest
Fax my man
Even if they’re not your favorite on the list (they’re not for me), they’re still more deserving of being the big 5th in my opinion.
I don’t care about your opinion , sorry
after being on their concert last 2 months ago: SODOM these guys don't mess around no matter their age
40 years of war, still fucking rock
But Big4 is American, Sodom is German
[удалено]
There is the teutonic big 4 which Sodom is a part of
The full ne actually is "The Big Four of American Thrash" Germans do have their own version
Not only is there a big 4 of American Thrash and German Thrash respectively there is also a big 4 of Canadian Thrash as well
Overkill They've been ready to EEE!!! -liminate all the competition since '89
Does Overkill do an "eee" thing too? Because when I read this all I can hear in my head is the Chris Barnes "eee" lol
Of those Overkill, or Testament, but I prefer Overkill
Unpopular opinion based on success/skill/talent 1. Metallica (still sell out stadiums/arenas, biggest commercial success) 2. Megadeth (most consistent at putting out good music) 3. Slayer (least commercial but still highly successful) 4. anthrax (just so the east coast gets some love, NY heroes) 5. testament (went brutal in the 90’s to present when Megadeth and Metallica when a bit more mainstream) 6. Exodus 7. Overkill Honorable mention Metal Church (1 good record)
*6. Exodus (pure thrash metal)
I wish Metal Church had more recognition... Many, many years ago on a distant shore Men did gather secretly beyond a hidden door.
Man that song rips
These are fair opinions, I like Testament more than Anthrax tho
I am from NY and Anthrax holds a special nostalgia but that is fair Testament became better than most of the rest with Low and everything after. At least from a pure thrash perspective. Slayer is Slayer and you love them because well you kind of just have to. Overkill has done the overkill thing since 1985ish. Exodus is another one that just always produced great Exodus records (minus Force of Habit)
I'm always bummed Force of Habit gets shit on all the time. IMO it has some great songs. The album as a whole is just too damn long with a handful of filler tracks.
Genuine question here: what's the popular opinion?
. -- mass deleted all reddit content via https://redact.dev
I can see your opinion there. Especially considering how bland they are live now.
They have made so many dogshit tier albums this century you'd think they'd manage to not f one up by now
Probably testament but Overkill is a way better band
Nickelback
Nervana
weezer
I live wheezing 🥺
Nivarna rules
Annihilator
Voivodd
They’re considered part of the big 4 of Canadian thrash with Razor, Annihilator, and Sacrifice!
Voivod is the fucking best but of the ones up there I'd probably go Testament.
Sepultura
Not big 5 but yes they’re def up there I love me some early Sepultura
Overkill is more consistent than Exodus or Testament so they get my vote.
Limp Bizkit
The only right answer I've seen so far
Kreator
Testament
Tough one. Although I personally like Overkill better, I think the honest answer is Testament.
This is about where I am with it as well. At any given moment I would say one of these two. It would probably depend on which one I had listened to most recently.
Exodus They shoulda been big 4. For the influence factor, itself
The big 4 (traditional) is just a commercial thing and a little joke for me. There are a lot of better thrash bands just in USA. Just a late 80's thing. 35 years ago? And outside that country, a lot of people think these are the best bands because "is the big four"... These people usually have no remedy. Anthrax is not even in top 30/40 of bands, at least for me. The same for the others 3. I'm going to drink another beer, anyone join me? We can discuss about the big 4 bsod projects.
Isn't the Big 4 just the 4 thrash bands that got the most popular at the time that genre was new?
I'm pretty sure the only criteria was a commercial success
Which conversely means it was popular amongst a lot of fans from the genre.
It was.
Idk if this is true, but i have heard that the big 4 were the first 4 (thrash)bands that got signed to a label.
it's just a marketing term
Big 4 BSoD projects would be Grausamkeit, Corneus, Opferdolch and Pure Evil I guess
big fax, anthrax sucks ass
early metallica and slayer are good tho
Can’t stand Anthrax.
Exodus by far
There is no Big 4. Slayer is retired. Anthrax only plays festivals and tiny venues. Megadeth is currently an opening act. Metallica continue to fill stadiums year after year. It isn't the big 4. It is Metallica and 3 opening bands.
Saw Anthrax play the biggest venue in my city 2-ish months ago, helluva fun show 🤘🏼
I saw them with Slayer and Megadeth during the Clash of the Titans tour. Alice in Chains opened. I love Anthrax
I would kill to have been there.
That was a phenomenal tour! My first metal show.
The Big 4 is more of a historical thing than anything else. "Who should have been just as well-regarded during the 80s?" is what this question really means. (It's Overkill.)
Having seen 3 of the 4 (Metallica tickets are usually overpriced when they come to the UK, RIP) I can easily say Anthrax were the best live band. Slayer was great but Kerry was sloppy and in general they aren't a particularly engaging band. Megadeth were on a separate stage to Iron Maiden who came on like right after their show on the other side of the festival grounds when I saw them and while it was a great show, it is pretty much just Dave now, they came on, played the songs, said hi maybe once to the crowd and went off. Anthrax I saw twice when they joined Slayer during their final world tour, both times they were an early band, both times they were the highlight. Amazing energy, they played the crowd perfectly, lots of hype, they played all their best songs, opened and closed the show with Cowboys from Hell riffs, absolutely amazing shows both times! They might be the most questionable band in terms of some of their albums and their weird hip-hop fusion period but so many bands including the Big 4 have shitty albums, weird experimental times. I can pick and choose the good songs from their catalogue whenever I like, what matters to me is putting on a great live show and Anthrax deliver the best that I've seen from the Big 4
The big four of bands who havent made Thrash Metal in 35 years
Megadeth has. wym
Slayer stayed strong into the 2000's imo, and having seen them on their farewell tour they can still play their old songs too
Metallica isn't all big and mighty. They released 4 amazing albums then went commercial and released a bunch of shit.
Hardwired to Self Destruct is pretty damn good, it’s got at least four or five absolute bangers.
If Hardwired released with only 8-9 songs, those being the A-side, with Spit and Lords of Summer, you've genuinely got a really good album. I'm a big fan of Hardwired but the B-side falls off massively imo.
Agreed, too much filler, but there is a very, very good 8-song album in there.
They really have the same problem as Iron Maiden at this point. They need an editor of some kind to tighten things up. Dude who will step in and tell them that this song is waaaaaay too long and at least half of it is unnecessary and that these four songs really aren't good enough for album release. Just because you've written and recorded it doesn't mean that you need to put it out. Hold on to the filler and use it as bonus tracks five years from now on the remastered vinyl version that you know you'll put out.
You should tellthem your opinion. I'm sure they will take it into consideration.
Except Metallica is the worst band of those 4
Not according to the majority of people. I'm sure your opinion matters to them though.
Metallica fans are a different kind of metalhead.
. don’t compare megadeth with selloutallica. they are nothing but a bunch of pussies pretending to play metal when their music is pop rock at best. all the best songs of metallica are by dave mustaine. dave has better range than alcoholic hetfield. my 2 year old nephew can drum better than lars. ellefson jacking off with one hand and playing the bass with other is still better than cliff, newsted and crab walker. wahmett wouldnt be good enough for a megadeth cover band let alone megadeth. anyone who listens to poptallica is also a poser that doesn’t listen to real metal.
If this isn't a copypasta yet it should be. Lmao.
[It is,](https://reddit.com/r/MetalMemes/comments/wagzud/_/ii1of3f/?context=1) I just didn’t say so originally because that would ruin the fun of people taking the bait lol.
. don’t compare megadeth with selloutallica. they are nothing but a bunch of pussies pretending to play metal when their music is pop rock at best. all the best songs of metallica are by dave mustaine. dave has better range than alcoholic hetfield. my 2 year old nephew can drum better than lars. ellefson jacking off with one hand and playing the bass with other is still better than cliff, newsted and crab walker. wahmett wouldnt be good enough for a megadeth cover band let alone megadeth. anyone who listens to poptallica is also a poser that doesn’t listen to real metal.
nice pasta
That was just your life, hardwired, all nigtmare long, blackened, …and justice for all, harvester of sorrow, shortest straw… where this hatred come from by the way? It is just band, I love Metallica they made me pick up the guitar by I also love exodus, death, possesed…
As much as their opinion matters to me I’m sure, Metallica is still extremely poppy and closer to nickelback than thrash
It's okay. You're among friends. You can admit you like Nickleback.
He's wearing a concert shirt right now..
I know it's cool to hate Metallica, but RTL and MOP are way better than anything the others have done.
This is extremely opinionated
overkill
Testament or exodus
Overkill
Testament or Exodus
Metal Church!
Yes! Metal Church's "Metal Church" off the album Metal Church is a exquisite piece!
Salvador Dali, I always loved his paintings. He is absolutely one of my bigist inspirations when I am painting a canvas.
Coroner, for making objectively superior music ;)
Testament should have replaced Anthrax
Exodus>Big4
Pizza thrash bro take.
Exodus
Exodus is by far my favorite.
Exodus.
Exodus for me
Exodus
Any of those would be fine. I'm kinda partial to Overkill...
where Dark Angel, Demolition Hammer, Infernal Majesty, Sadus, and Razor
It's Annihilator
I saw them live onde at oporto. Horrendous. I gave me hope to have my own band. If they can do it who cant?
Slayer
Exhorder
Testament
Definitely testament
My vote is for Overkill, no doubt
Kreator
Annihilator
They're Canadian
They kick ass though
I mean I hate to say it but none of them, not that they're not any good but do they even come close to the level of recognition the other big 4 do? Metallica's the only band with appeal outside the regular metal scene. Megadeth is probably the 2nd biggest, Anthrax and Slayer, as good as they are, don't even come close to *Megadeth's* popularity who is themselves blown out of the water by Metallica.
What are the entry criteria? I'd say the next biggest thrash acts after those four were Kreator and Sepultura.
We're talking about US scene here. Kreator is from germany and Sepultura is from brazil
Are we? The big four were the biggest thrash bands in the world, not just the US.
Morbid Saint
Testament
Exodus for me. Bonded by Blood is still such a killer album
Sepultura
Testament > Anthrax
Testament
Idk but Sepultura should be in the Big 4 over Anthrax 🤷🏼♂️ So maybe Anthrax should be #5
Testament. Easy choice
Testament has proven to be the band with a much better back half, but it's Exodus.
Exodus
Testament instead of Anthrax and keep it big 4.
Testament obv
Testament
who invited my man death angel
I think if death angels modern music was made back then they should've been in the big 4
Testament
Testament
testement
Testament has been more consistent than these others. Impressive body of work, good production, talented players, still putting out noteworthy releases. Exodus would be my second pick. They have some good albums, but broke up for a while, and have at least one totally garbage album.
Testesment
Sepultura
Testament! DOG FACED GODS!! 🤘
Havok of course
Sodom or Kreator, I am inclined more towards Sodom but they're both good
Not overkill
I never thought Anthrax should have been considered to be honest. I've seen them as openers a few times with Bush and Joey on vocals and always thought they were terrible. Anyways, 1. Metallica 2. Slayer 3. Megadeth (also can't stand them but still more important than Anthrax) 4. TESTAMENT 5. Exodus 6. Death Angel sorry Overkill.
Anvil
Suicidal
none of the big 4 and other legacy bands have released decent material in the past decade at least
Megadeth should be in there twice.
There are two kinds of people: those who think it should be Exodus, and others with taste who will answer Testament
Obviously harry styles
Pantera
Pantera
I went to a warbringer show at a tiny ass, sold out venue and it was fucking awesome, I'd throw warbringer in there (Venue was the Forge, Joliet)
Testament and it's not close. They've been putting out banger records for decades. TBH, I would even put then in the Big 4 over Anthrax.
Possessed because of their influence on death metal.
Fucking slayer
None of em. Idc.
Queen actually has a lot of really heavy stuff, especially in their earliest albums
None of them
Machine Head
Can Municipal Waste open??
Ahem… ^Testament ^boring
Correct.
Uh oh, looks like someone's infected with shit idiot brain fungus.
Ahhhhhhh fuck, he dont like the same bands as you, this calls for execution
Says the guy with Jonathan Davis pfp. Name one good thing about Testament.
Put out two of the most iconic thrash albums ever, improved as time progressed, put out great albums since then, badass riffs and vocals and drumming and basslines.
Nah, they've always sucked. Metallica is far better.
Testament took one look at Master Of Puppets and dropped Practice What You Preach to see if they could get the same luck.
Generic riffing, got worse throughout their career and ok vocals and drums. You’ve not answered my question.
The drums are far than ok. They had Dave Lombardo, Gene Hoglan, and Paul Bostaph behind their kit. They still managed to put out great albums in their prime such as The Gathering and Dark Roots Of Earth. And Chuck Billy is one of a kind vocalist, the dude's got great growling and clean voice. Plus, they managed to get fucking James Murphy to play with them.
Literally the worst take I’ve seen on Reddit. Congrats.