The True Big 4

My love for Thrash metal stemmed from a love for Metallica...but then I discovered Megadeth, and Slayer and so on and so forth. Long story short, Metallica doesn't sit well with me now. They're greedy, superficial, pompous jerks (Not to say Dave Mustaine can't be a jerk...but alas). Lets just say for the sake of this article that Metallica was booted from the Big 4. Who would be the fourth horsemen? There are countless good thrash bands, but the top contenders in my eyes are these four choices.

1. Testament - Chuck Billy and the boys have been truckin' ever since the 80's and have had moderate mainstream along with a HUGE following.
2. OverKill - an good band with a lot of heavy and fast riffs
3. Exodus - a band that has always been lurking close behind the rest of the Big 4
and finally
4. Death Angel- by far a VERY underrated band.

But for me...this is what it boils down too.

Death Angel is still touring and still releasing stuff, but sadly, Nobody knows who they are.

Overkill is in a similiar boat, there albums have more acclaim but still a darkhorse.

Exodus for me sounds terrible now. They're early stuff was good but now they just kinda lost they're magic.

So the winner is?

Testament...by far.

Testament hasn't put out a bad album since their inception (even Souls of Black). With songs like First Strike is Deadly, Disciples of the Watch , Practice What You Preach and other countless tracks form over the years, Testament is best suited for this spot.

But the man question is...what does everyone else have to say?

Do you agree with me and say Testament?
Do you represent the darkhorse and go with Death Angel?
Do you go for OverKill?
Are you offended by my early statement and still think Exodus is a great band?

Or Do you have your own choice? There are many other great Thrash bands out there. From Annhilator to Iced Earth, make your pick.

Let the voices of Thrash be heard

Comments

[Von II]

Sorry, I agree that some bands do not get the recognition they deserve, and that Metallica didn't stay 100% all albums long, but I do not agree with your arguments.

First off: "(metallica)They're greedy, superficial, pompous jerks". No, they're not, maybe Lars is, but clearly haven't seen one show or the things they do for fans. Nor do they do the superstar behavior and you don't know them personnally. (Neither do I, but you get my point, don't judge anyone you don't even know from far).

"2. OverKill - an good band with a lot of heavy and fast riffs". That's the ****ing point of Thrash and it can be said of about every band. Your argument is invalid.

I could go on and on, but I wont. I just want to say: personal preference, sure, but don't go and remake the Big 4 list and cracking down other bands on UG, acting like a pro.

[IronDeathKiss]

Maybe I do let my personal opinions get the best of me but here is two points I want to make to you sir.
1. I love Metallica, if it wasn't for Metallica I wouldn't have been opened to the world of Thrash had it not been for Metallica. Lars is the MAIN point of that statement. But when it costs $100 dollars to see Metallica and $45 to see Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax in the same night, something is wrong.
2. Wtf? The point of this article was to have the other users give a WHAT-IF? I said WHAT IF...Metallica was not in the big 4, who would take his place. I wasn't disrespecting OverKill, I don't know as much about OverKill as I do the others so thats why I used that.

[IronDeathKiss]

*their place

[IronDeathKiss]

I Think, in my opinion Testament was the best. the whole point was to find out what everyone else thought..Like a poll.

[dial-a-death]

There's a reason the Big 4 are the Big 4. They were the main bands, the pioneers of thrash in the 80s. Now, before you all go crazy, I'm not saying they were the best, or that they were the first. Thy were just the first to become recognised as a mainstream band. So for that reason, saying you want to "kick Metallica out of the Big 4" is a stupid statement. They were the first of the Big 4, and the influence of Kill Em All, Ride The Lightning and Master Of Puppets on thrash will never be denied or forgotten. It's like saying you want to remove one of the 7 wonders of the world just because it's fallen down. There's not even proof the Hanging Garden Of Babylon ever existed.

As for other bands, I think Testament and Exodus are the best. I'm not particularly keen on Over Kill.

[AndrewAmadeo]

Too be honest, Metallica just kicks ass, amazing riffs, badass solos.
Everyone always has something about Metallica to cry over "Too much wah, they're dicks, blah blah blah"
Why do people have to hate on the successful people?

[antichris277]

you must re evaluate!..... exodus' last couple records were phenominal. it takes a few more listens to absorb the massive content as opposed to the mediocre music put out by death angel and overkill. gary holt is a master of the thrash style. i rank exodus, testament, death angel, overkill.
what other guitarist could learn [and perform] slayers set list and awkward solos with just days notice.