4 Thrash Albums You Simply Don’t Throw Away!
Thrash found its inspiration with the likes of Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Motörhead in the 1970s. By the early 80s in what seems like a blink of an eye, its popularity had sky-rocketed. The genre became known all around the world, leading to thrash bands and albums coming to the forefront of popular music. It’s the latter we focus on today, here are four Thrash albums too good to throw away.
Slayer – Reign in Blood
As far as thrash metal bands go, Slayer is up there with the best. Many will suggest they are the kings of the genre, with Reign in Blood a stunning piece of work from their back catalogue. The album, which hit the scene in late 1986, is the third studio album the band put out, and they did so through Def Jam Recordings. Reign in Blood charted in the UK top 50, while also making it onto the US Billboard 200. ‘Angel of Death’ and ‘Raining Blood’ are the pick of the tracks off of the album. And many a fan is still listening to this classic piece of work today.
Metallica – Master of Puppets
Master of Puppets, the third studio album by iconic thrash metal band Metallica, is close to thirty-five years old after hitting shelves in 1986. However, its impact on music and how it elevated the band to new heights should never go unforgotten. You could argue and say the album is as powerful and defining today as it was all those years ago when it received worldwide critical acclaim. It sold millions of copy across more than fifteen countries, with the ‘Master of Puppets’ single a masterpiece.
Annihilator – Never, Neverland
Never, Neverland is Canadian thrash metal band Annihilator’s second studio album release. Many critics suggest it is one of the best pieces of work from a metal band in the 1990s, with tracks such as ‘The Fun Palace’, ‘Never, Neverland’, and ‘Stonewall’ being the releases the group opted to put out. Annihilator are veterans in the thrash metal scene, and the most successful in Canadian history. Their reach, which stretched beyond music and into other areas of entertainment (they have their own damn slot game!), shows how highly thought of this legendary band and the thrash genre are.
Testament – The New Order
In May 1988, American band Testament released their second studio album The New Order to the masses. The thrash metal five-piece, which has now been active for over thirty-five years in the industry, effectively wrote The New Order on the fly after touring for their first album. It in no way lacked in quality, with sales reaching over a quarter of a million in the US in less than two years. Making an appearance on the Billboard 200 chart and staying there for thirteen weeks was a sign of things to come for the band, with singles ‘Trial by Fire’ and ‘The Preacher’ hitting release.
