10 Best Thrash Metal Bands

For those who love their thrash metal, here is a list containing the 10 best thrash metal bands. These ten bands are responsible for making thrash popular. Get out your air guitar and try to keep up. 

1. Metallica. This American band was one of the "Big Four of Thrash," which also included Anthrax, Slayer and Megadeth. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. Metallica's third album, titled "Master of Puppets," has been called a masterpiece in thrash metal. This album includes the songs "Damage" and the title track.

2. Anthrax. Anthrax was known for adding humor and realism to their music, and were in the " Big Four of Thrash." Their 1987 album, "Among The Living," was their big breakthrough and included the hit "Indians." Anthrax got their name from a textbook and decided it sounded "sufficiently evil," according to  an interview for "VH1 Behind The Music." In 2001, during the anthrax attacks in the United States, the band provided information about the disease on their website, simply because so many people were typing "anthrax.com" into search engines. They also joked about changing their name after the attacks in a press release dated October 10, 2001.

3. Megadeth. The third band in the "Big Four of Thrash," Megadeth was formed by Dave Mustaine after being fired from Metallica. Their album, "Countdown To Extinction," was multi-platinum and includes the hit "Symphony of Destruction."

4. Slayer. Last in the "Big Four of Thrash," but not least, Slayer is known for their anti-Christian themes. Slayer was one of the few thrash metal bands from the 1980's that did not change their music style to be radio friendly in the 1990's. Slayer's song "Angel of Death," from their "Reign In Blood" album, gets them to this list.

5. Exodus. Exodus is one of the best thrash metal bands because of their music, talent and longevity. The band's career has lasted over 30 years and has gone through multiple member changes. Their album, "Bonded By Blood," which contains a track by the same title, is considered by many to be one of their best thrash metal albums ever.

6. Venom. This UK based thrash metal band formed in 1979. Their first album, "Welcome to Hell," was released in 1981. It was recorded over a period of three days. This album includes the songs "Welcome to Hell" and "Schizoid." Venom has been considered a major influence in thrash metal.

7. Kreator. Formed in 1982, Kreator is a German thrash metal band. Originally, the band name was Kreator, but it was soon changed to Tormentor, then back to their original name when they found out a band from Hungary was using that name. Kreator recorded their first album, "Endless Pain," in ten days, which includes the track "Flag Of Hate."

8. Voivod. Voivod was one of the first thrash metal bands from Canada to gain popularity internationally. This best thrash metal band formed in the early 1980's and are still releasing new material. "Nothingface" was the group's most successful album, which includes a cover of Pink Floyd's "Astronomy Domine."

9. Sodom. Sodom has been considered a major influence in the development of thrash metal. Sodom formed in Germany in 1981 by Tom Angelripper because he wanted an excuse to get out of working in the coal mines. It worked. Their album, "Agent Orange," which includes a title track, has sold more than any other German thrash metal in the world.

10. Sepultura. Said to be the most successful heavy metal band in Brazilian history, Sepultura formed in 1984. This band was a major influence in thrash metal during the 1980's and early 1990's. Sepultura has experimented with death metal, extreme metal and hardcore punk. Their album, "Schizophrenia," includes the track "Schizo."