This week's top ten is the top ten thrash albums. On a personal note, I listened to close to a hundred albums last week in preparation for this list, and I have learned that I'm not as big of a fan of thrash as I thought. I prefer thrash bands that incorporate some of the complicated musical arrangement usually associated with progressive metal.
I know that many excellent thrash albums have been omitted, such as Megadeth's Symphony of Destruction, Metallica's Kill Em All and Death Magnetic, Slayer's Seasons in the Abyss and Show No Mercy, Anthrax's Worship Music, Testament's Practice What You Preach, Sepultura's Arise, Pantera's Cowboys From Hell and Far Beyond Driven, Overkill's The Year's of Decay, Machinehead's Burn My Eyes and The Blackening, Annihilator's Alice in Hell and Destruction's Release from Agony.
I'm also certain that there are many other great thrash bands that have released stellar albums that did not make the cut for the top ten.
Without further ado, the list with a few random thoughts:
10. Annihilator, Never, Neverland (1998)
Never, Neverland is the second album released by Canadian thrash band Annihilator. What stands out about Neverland is the intricate arrangements and wonderful the guitar work of Jeff Waters (also the lead vocalist). The vocals sounds like a more melodic Pantera, but with more range. While the entire album is fantastic, the tracks that stand out are Imperiled Eyes, I Am In Command, and Road To Ruin.
9. Mercyful Fate, Melissa (1983)
Mercyful Fate was one of the most influential metal bands in terms of the many bands that they influenced such as Metallica, Anthrax, and Megadeth. Melissa is not only their best album, but my personal favorite of theirs. What I find wonderful about this band is that no other band sounds quite like Mercyful Fate. Lead vocalist King Diamond's unique use of the falsetto scream really compliments the thrash quite nicely. Every song on this album is amazing, but the 11 minute Satan's Fall is epic.
8. Anthrax, Persistence of Time (1990)
Anthrax's Persistence of Time is the fifth album by one of thrash's big five, and their final album with lead vocalist Joey Belladonna . . . until the 2011 release of Worship Music. I love the vocals of Belladonna, and every album Anthrax released with him is a treasure for sure. Combine the wonderful vocals with a more progressive sound which creates a wonderful end product.
7. Machinehead, The More Things Change . . . (1997)
Machinehead is one of metal's most underrated bands. Their albums are consistently great with a combination of thrash and groove that perhaps only Pantera does better. The More Things Change is their second album and one of their heaviest. The tracks that stand out are Ten Ton Hammer, Take My Scars, and Down To None. On a personal note, this is one of my all-time favorite albums.
6. Megadeth, Rust in Peace (1990)
Rust in Peace is Megadeth's fourth album, and perhaps their best effort to date. This album focuses on such thematic issues ranging from the fallout of a nuclear war to religion. This is easily one of the most important and influential albums in metal history.
5. Pantera, Vulgar Display of Power (1992)
Vulgar Display of Power is the definitive album in "groove metal." While some call Pantera "groove metal," I think that is a silly classification. Pantera is a thrash band through and through that happen to have elements of groove. Anyway . . . As with any Pantera album, its all about the guitar work of the legendary Dimebag Darrell. This is most evident in the classic tracks Walk, A New Level, Hostile, and This Love.
4. Anthrax, Spreading the Disease (1985)
Other than having a really cool album cover, Anthrax's Spreading the Disease kicks serious ass! From beginning to the end, it is balls to the walls, crazy metal goodness. Again, the vocals of Joey Belladonna are amazing! I can't say enough great things about how much I love this album. I came real close to making this album number two, but deemed the top three albums slightly superior. If you haven't heard this album, I highly recommend it!
3. Metallica, Master of Puppets (1986)
Master of Puppets is Metallica's third studio album, and such a legendary and interesting piece of music. Unfortunately, it is also the last with bassist Cliff Burton who died while promoting the album in Europe. The tracks that stand out are Battery, Master of Puppets, and my favorite, Welcome Home (Sanitarium).
2. Slayer, Reign In Blood (1986)
I almost put this album at number one, but I believe that the right choice was made. Slayer's Reign In Blood just kicks ass! If the was a soundtrack in hell, it would be this album. This album exemplifies organized chaos with its intricate arrangements combined with many disturbing and dark subjects most notably Nazi doctor Josef Mengele in their song Angel of Death. I can't think of a thrash metal album that epitomizes the sub-genre quite like Reign In Blood.
1. Metallica, Ride the Lightning (1984)
Ride the Lightning is one of metal's truly great albums. From beginning until the end, this is arguably Metallica's most complete album. This album is perhaps the best blending of progressive and thrash metal. This album also contains my two favorite Metallica tracks, For Whom the Bell Tolls and Fade to Black. Other notable songs are Fight Fire With Fire, Ride the Lightning, and Creeping Death.
What are your thoughts on the list? What is your top ten?
Please leave comments below or on my Facebook page.
Also, for your listening pleasure, I have attached four clips from Annihilator, Anthrax, Mercyful Fate, and Metallica.
As always,
Thanks for reading!
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