Metallica|Slayer|Megadeth|Anthrax: Which Big 4 Band is Best?

[@NoneMoreMetal]

Note: I am aware that the sum of the values for Anthrax's individual categories doesn't match the displayed grand total. This is the results of a rounding/truncation display issue. The values shown on the charts are rounded to a single digit, whereas the values used to calculate the grand total are not. The value shown as Anthrax's grand total is calculated from the non-truncated values, and correct.

[@rockjeker5685]

Sometimes I think, out of frustration, that I would accept that they don't induct Megadeth into the Hall of Fame, but at least Dave. He is a key pillar of the entire metal scene since his days with Metallica. Anyway, Megadeth deserves to be in the hall of fame, let's hope Dave lives to see it.

[@nelnich4445]

Someone is a metallica fan lol

[@NoneMoreMetal]

I assume you're referring to me? Guilty as charged. I'm also a huge fan of Anthrax, Megadeth, and Slayer, and have been for decades.

[@nelnich4445]

@None More Metal me too lol although for me there's a gap for me from justice to death magnetic. Death magnetic was a good comeback album to me. Black album was ok but I was a fan before it came out so I have an unfair negative perspective of it being a sell out album. Same with slayer and anthrax actually. There's a gap from seasons to world painted blood and also a gap from killer bees to warship music. It's like all these bands went back to their roots 2008 to 2011ish...in my opinion at least

[@shawnjasso832]

Megadeth all the way.

[@johnsplendido3556]

Anthrax is my favorite. But Metallica is no doubt the best. Anthrax last 2 albums are fantastic. Definitely not high enough in that category. Anthrax also were the first to combine metal and hip-hop helping pave the way for many successful bands. Their legacy score could’ve been higher. Funny thing is you could’ve done this ranking back in 1990 and had the same result. This has always been the perceived order of the Big Four. With that said many people have their favorites that might not be the same as the order of ‘greatness.’

[@NoneMoreMetal]

It's interesting you bring up "perceived order" relative to the Big 4. When they played together at those few shows 10 years or so ago, the order was always Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer, Metallica. I always wondered how that decision was arrived at, and if Dave Mustaine put up much fight against playing before Slayer. Also... yeah, I love the two most recent Anthrax albums. Worship Music especially.

[@johnsplendido3556]

They might’ve had slayer in between Megadeth and Metallica just to change it up a little. Slayer is much more aggressive. Also Dave’s voice doesn’t let them do all of their old songs anymore. It might be easier to have a shorter Setlist. My order of favorites would be Anthrax, Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth.

[@cptlatency428]

Enjoyed the video! There are some points I definitely disagree with however. Megadeth definitely does have recent gems for example We'll be back, the sick the dying and the dead, and dystopia, there are definitely more gems for that matter as well. I think Slayer's ranking for technical ability should have been higher, while the solos aren't as good (in my opinion) as those in Metallica or Megadeth, the amount of skill needed to play at the speed they play definitely warrants a higher score. Dave Lombardo is a beast on the drums, while Kerry and Jeff's ability to create those riffs, and especially Jeff's lyric writing ability is what I would argue as being close to the best out of all bands. Not to mention Tom's vocals and the live performances they put on, it is truly something to behold

[@NoneMoreMetal]

Thanks for the comment! I actually don't think it takes a tremendous amount of skill (for a professional guitarist) to play Slayer's riffs. Endurance, yes.

[@cptlatency428]

@@NoneMoreMetal Fair enough, I appreciate the response. Coming back to this comment I feel that trying to find the best band among the bunch isn't particularly going to produce a solid result. You could definitely look at hard statistics which may give you an idea but it always seems there's going to be a group of people who disagree, and which band is "best" is going to vary with individuals as that's how they perceive what music sounds best to them. I hope you can understand my fairly mindless rambles, but I just don't particularly see this video's point, as you're going to end up with a strong variety of opinions on which of these bands is best, I personally couldn't say which band I think is best as they're all quite different and I find myself listening to them all at different points.

[@NoneMoreMetal]

@@cptlatency428 "A strong variety of opinions on which of these bands is the best" is exactly what I'm looking for! I love discussing this stuff. Of course it always comes to down to subjective tastes, which I mentioned in the video, but I think it's fun hearing other's perspectives on these bands.

[@cptlatency428]

@@NoneMoreMetal Fair enough then, it is cool to read about what people like about these certain bands, I did enjoy the video non the less, and some of the others on you're channel 👍

[@Michael-tn9wp]

Well done coming up with a grading system to challenge this age old question. I’d say Met drops some points for lots of junk filler songs from Black album onward. Also, loss of points live because their sound isn’t nearly as raw and heavy as it once was and playing a predictable set, just like Anthrax, as you stated. Keep thrashing!

[@bryansteele832]

All 4 of these bands are great.

[@perpetualmotion357]

I never cared for Anthrax. I was a big Slayer fan in my teens through my 20's but don't listen to them all that much anymore. Megadeth and Metallica have always had the most replay value to me with Megadeth consistently trailing second until CTE which I think is a better album than TBA. What keeps Metallica at number one is obviously their 80's material. It encompasses everything. It can be as brutal and fast as the best of them while having catchy and intricate riffs and melody for days. Hetfield in the 80's also had the best vocals out of them all. Raw unadulterated aggression, especially the MOP era. It's just too bad Metallica didn't have Dave Lombardo (the best part of Slayer). I know he's not part of the big 4 but after close to 4 decades of listening to metal, I consider Chuck Schuldiner and Death ranked right below 80's Metallica when it comes to the best talent in that genre of music. I wouldn't consider Metallica just a thrash band while I wouldn't just label Death death metal. I think both were just really great bands who kept expanding on their sound compared to their debut. Coincidently, I prefer the first 4 albums of both bands with Death evolving into a better direction than where Metallica went.

[@NoneMoreMetal]

Thanks for the comment! That one festival in the UK where Dave Lombardo played Battery with Metallica was pretty awesome, I’ll give you that. Lots of good thoughts in your post. Thanks again.

[@DiabolicalD3vil]

Switch Anthrax and Slayer and I agree with those rankings.

[@christiankinne8747]

I think Anthrax had the best musical ability. Joey is by far the best singer objectively speaking. Cliff was the best bass player but I'd say second to him was a tie between Frank Bello and David Ellefson. I'd say the best drummer is a tie between Dave Lombardo, Charlie Benante and Nick Menza but Nick Menza was only in megadeth for a few albums. Best lead guitarist was definitely Marty, I would definitely put Danny spitz in the top 3 probably tho, between the solos he wrote and his live execution of them, yes Dave and Kirk wrote great solos and leads but they can also be pretty sloppy playing them live sometimes. But at an average that would make Anthrax win that category

[@Jacobmovietalk]

Megadeth

[@ShipReK66]

I was not going to subscribe if there had been a different winner.

[@low_mans_lyric]

Great video. I agree with the final numbers. It is no surprise that Metallica is ranked where they belong.

[@swat1710]

MEGADETH no doubt 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@Jacobmovietalk]

C-1 Anthrax 3.6 Megadeth 4.8 Metallica 4 Slayer 4.2 C2 Anthrax 3.5 Megadeth 5 Metallica 4.5 Slayer 4 C3 Anthrax 2.5 Megadeth 3.7 Metallica 5 Slayer 4.6 C4 Anthrax 4.6 Megadeth 3.6 Metallica 4.5 Slayer 4 C5 Anthrax 2.5 Megadeth 3.5 Metallica 2 Slayer 4.3 Anthrax-16.7 Megadeth-20.6 Metallica-20 Slayer-20.1

[@NoneMoreMetal]

Thanks for the comment, and putting in the time to show your break down. I disagree with some of your numbers, but respect your opinions non the less. Thanks again!

[@Michael-tn9wp]

Great scoring, I agree that Met, Meg and Sla are much closer with Anth being a distant 4th.

[@moonmerach]

1- Megadeth 2- Metallica 3- Slayer 4- Anthrax

[@dudeitright8956]

Valid but they’re all great

[@TheNothing6]

Slayer gets boring for me after Seasons In The Abyss, although Divine Intervention is pretty cool. Anthrax's last two albums are fantastic, some of their best albums! Megadeth kicks ass! What can I say, I want to be an Astronaut! Metallica is my favorite band of all time! In my opinion they are the best band of all time! 1. Metallica 2. Megadeth 3. Anthrax 4. Slayer

[@NoneMoreMetal]

I still hung with Slayer past Seasons in the Abyss/Divine Intervention, but Seasons is definitely my favorite album of theirs.

[@thanatos425]

I say Metallica and they are way above whatever they set out to be and heres why First off let me say the big 4 are all very talented and unique artists and composers of a genre of music that we all love to hear. Metallica as ive said before is like the mozart of our time and I know people say thier music isnt as technical like the others are or maybe they are not good musicians so lets say these things are true, they are still masters at piecing together the body and soul of these songs that are beyond anything that any metal genre or artist can achieve . Megadeth is better at being musicians but they sound subpar compared to metallica so the technicality of playing doesnt matter and I will say Rust in Peace is from megadeth is on that level, I happily admit that but Metallica is just on another level and not because they are just metal but they are something much more. Its hard to put into words because you know when something is special or once in a lifetime so words do them no justice. I would argue Metallica is its own genre of music only nobody can emulate or duplicate them. I always hear metallica certain sounds in all these other metal genres and will never rise because they dont earn it. I am willing to bet if mankind gets a million years into the future that metallicas music will be what they will play and every soul will hear.

[@tortoisejohnny7227]

Testament 🤙

[@NoneMoreMetal]

I'm a fan of Testament, but I don't feel they're on the level of any of these 4 bands.

[@tortoisejohnny7227]

@@NoneMoreMetal Yes I agree they are above them. 🤙 Better go through each bands discography and at the end you'll agree 💯 start with a banger from their newest Album The Healers 🤙🤙🤙 Metallica ain't made a banger like that in 20 years you kidding me

[@NoneMoreMetal]

@@tortoisejohnny7227 I'm not sure why you're under the impression I'm not quite familiar with Testament. I am. And I like them. Not as much as you obviously.

[@jackwhiteakajoker9394]

4 slayer sorry 3 anthrax 2 Megadeth 1 Metallica

[@Banni21]

I personally don’t agree with you that Metallica is more consistent than Megadeth. Megadeth have in my opinion released more solid records than Metallica. I think the last very good Met record was The black album. And last very good Megadeth record was Cryptic Writings and sure the amount of lineup changes in Megadeth are absurd but Dave has always been the singer and primary songwriter so it shouldn’t really change much. I also think that the last two Megadeth records are a bit better than the last two Metallica records and over all in the last 25 odd years Megadeth have just been a way better band in terms of album releases. But I do agree that Metallica trumps Megadeth in terms of live performance.

[@low_mans_lyric]

I just want to say you are incorrect. If you don't like Load and Death Magnetic and such then that is fine. But to insinuate those albums are not 'good' is bonkers. There are a number of songs on Death Magnetic I would put up against most anything on Kill Em All.

[@Banni21]

@@low_mans_lyric I didn’t say that most the records after the black album aren’t good I just meant they aren’t as strong as the first 5 records. That doesn’t necessarily mean they are bad or that amazing. In terms of consistency Megadeth have released more albums and more solid records than Metallica have in the last 25 years.

[@shawnjasso832]

This dude crazy.

[@Metallicafan.kirkhammet]

Its the truth

[@jeffqualizza7612]

AWESOME VIDEO I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. METALLICA WERE AND THEY ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE THE BEST AND GREATEST BAND OUT OF THE BIG FOUR. THOSE OTHER THREE BANDS CANNOT HOLD A CANDLE TO WHAT METALLICA HAS ACCOMPLISHED AND THEY NEVER WILL. FOR INSTANCE LOOK AT SLAYER THEY RETIRED AND GAVE UP ALREADY BECAUSE THEY KNEW THAT THEY COULD NOT KEEP UP AS ALONG AS METALLICA HAS.

[@NoneMoreMetal]

I'm in agreement that Metallica are the kings, but I don't think Slayer called it quits because they couldn't keep up. I saw them on their final tour, and they were killing it as much as ever. I think they may have packed it in a bit too early.

[@nelnich4445]

@None More Metal Jeff is dead, tom has a broken neck, dave gone.

[@erictrudel4561]

Metallica… KILLS ‘EM ALL!!!

[@punkyu_fyb.7]

this was made for a metallica fan and i hate it