My Top 35 Thrash Metal Bands

Thrash Metal is a subgenre of Heavy Metal born in the early 1980s mainly in the United States, by bands such as Metallica, Metal Church, Overkill, Anthrax, Exodus among others, its sound is derived from the NWOBHM style. (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) adding more aggressiveness taken from Punk Rock and Hardcore Punk. Bands such as Motorhead, Misfits, Judas Priest, Angel Witch, Discharge, Diamond Head, Venom are cited among the main influences for the creation of the genre, musically characterized by accelerated drum rhythms with aggressive but at the same time technical riffs, lyrically they are mostly emphasized in criticism about society, religion and politics.
Here is a Top with my 35 favorite bands at the moment...
El Thrash Metal es un sub genero del Heavy Metal nacido a principios de la década de los 80 principalmente en Estados Unidos, de la mano de bandas como Metallica, Metal Church, Overkill, Anthrax, Exodus entre otras, su sonido se deriva del estilo NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) agregándole más agresividad tomada del Punk Rock y del Hardcore Punk. Bandas como Motorhead, The Misfits, Judas Priest, Angel Witch , Discharge, Diamond Head, Venom son citadas entre las principales influencias para la creación del género, musicalmente caracterizado por ritmos acelerados de bateria con riffs agresivos pero a la vez técnicos, líricamente en su mayoría se han enfatizado en la critica hacia la sociedad, la religión y la política entre otras cosas.
He aquí un Top con mis 35 bandas favoritas en el momento...
Honorable Mentions:
-Assassin
-Darkness (Ger)
-Deathrow
-Evildead
-Hirax
-Holy Moses
-Mortal Sin
-Necronomicon
-Powermad
-Sadus
-S.O.D
-Sabbat
-Xentrix
#thrashmetal #topbands

[@koputai]

Your #1 choice made me smile, Overkill are too often overlooked. Definitely one of the best. Fantastic list, though I would have found space for Venom, and Mortal Sin. (1980’s Mortal Sin, not their modern reincarnation)

[@Rocksember]

@@koputai Thanks for your comments, Overkill one of the best bands in Metal, Mortal Sin are excellent too, there are many bands it's hard to pick just 35 i could have chosen 100 bands

[@foreverunsaved6661]

I have met the members of Overkill like 20 years ago - they were easily the biggest assholes in real life that i have ever met. The singer was a cool dude, but not the rest of them.

[@torstenhubener3805]

Back again in my century. Great time, great bands, great living

[@Rocksember]

@@torstenhubener3805 That's right... Greetings! 🤘

[@g.v.pag.8400]

I would have picked the same without CelticFrost and Pantera (Holy Terror and Violent Force in my list). The order is personal matter... However: great taste and knowledge! And beautiful photos!

[@Rocksember]

@@g.v.pag.8400 Pantera and Celtic Frost are The controversial point in this Top and almost out, anyway i glad You like the another ones and The Photos, Thank You very much and thanks for your comment, greetings!!

[@Kaynalavareda]

Nice list. Mine would have mostly the same bands, except Pantera and Celtic Frost for example as they don't seem thrash in my opinion. I would pick in my list some bands which are not here like Hirax, Toxik, maybe Pyracanda, Attomica and Korzus.

[@Rocksember]

I thought the same way and those bands almost out from my Top but at the last minute changed my Mind, Pantera came from Glam era to a Groove band in between those times it was Thrash. Besides Celtic Frost is considered a strong influence in The birth of Black and Death Metal but for me they were in the Thrash movement too in my opinion

[@MetalMaps]

Nice list mate 👍I have Destruction as my #1 then Slayer then take ya pick

[@Rocksember]

Thanks man!! Destruction and Slayer are killer bands!! Thanks for comment!

[@Nicksas790]

I agree

[@Jerome-xk6nr]

Good choice ! I would add Sadus, Demolition hammer and Incubus (Opprobrium) !! 😈😈🤘🤘 And Hirax, Zoetrope, Acid Reign and Holy Moses !!

[@Rocksember]

@@Jerome-xk6nr There are so many bands to include, it could be a Top 100 easily... Thanks for comment!!

[@kelseyadams7987]

Rad list of heavyness! Also check out these coupla of Alberta,Canada thrash bands.WMD(when minds develop) and Hazzerd,both OG Calgary’s finest.

[@Rocksember]

@@kelseyadams7987 Thanks for comment!! And i'll check the Canadian bands you recommend!! 🤘🤘

[@stevedamien638]

You mean in Calgary???really wow. I know Montreal number one,Toronto,Vancouver well to some extend. But the cow field town i had no clue that even one guy was actually playing guitar there that knew more than 3 chords. My cousin lives there and work at concert venues King Diamond had to cancel his concert with""Overkill""as opener because it sold 437 tickets only.

[@XOne1973]

Шикарная подборка 🤘

[@petrlips1284]

Sepultura 👌👌👌👍👍👍

[@Rocksember]

@@petrlips1284 The Best from Brazil!!

[@GRANT-i3z]

Glad Sepultura was in the mix but top 5 for sure (max and Igor)🤘

[@ianjones9523]

Good list. I'd have had Sabbat on there - best band I ever saw live.

[@tomizubi]

Metallica 🤘

[@christianjackson9360]

They are our Lords of THRASH METAL!! Without them, all we'd have then would be GRANITE ROCK music!

[@СергейДолинин-х8т]

👍👏💪🤟❗🌝🤘​@@christianjackson9360

[@hancock1934]

I love Xentrix and Exhorder! Two of my favourites.

[@Rocksember]

@@hancock1934 excelent bands!! Xentrix is on My honorable mentions list, thanks for comment!!

[@ehdrootofbeard4411]

Was gonna say Where's Xentirx!? 🤣👀

[@Rocksember]

@@ehdrootofbeard4411 is in My honorable mentions list

[@ka3andr]

Почти всё было на виниле))) Согласен на 99%)))) 1 оставлю на расстановку позиций (если это имеет значение)

[@chrisbrewer47]

I totally agree with OVERKILL in that number one slot. Atrophy, forbidden, razor, and artillery would all be in my top ten. Viking, sentinel beast, znowhite, sanctuary, demolition hammer and detente would also be on my list.

[@Rocksember]

@@chrisbrewer47 Thanks!! The bands you mention are awesome too!! Greetings! 🤘

[@christianjackson9360]

Some of these bands are nothing to do with actual THRASH METAL!! But, some will always be part!

[@Rocksember]

@@christianjackson9360 I like the classic Thrash more!! 🔥 Thanks for comment!!

[@karolyzalareti5706]

Very nice list, Overkill and Metallica are on their right place. I put Flotsam in the first ten, their latest album is supergreat.

[@Rocksember]

Flotsam is excellent!! Thanks for comment!!

[@anthonyw5261]

Absolutely solid list. Great reference material for any thrash lovers and new fans to explore.

[@christianjackson9360]

Some bands are nothing to do with actual THRASH METAL!!

[@Rocksember]

Thank You Very Much for your comment and for that appreciation, greetings!!

[@martinbednarik6552]

Kreator,Sodom,👍👍👍

[@Rocksember]

@@martinbednarik6552 The Best from Germany 🤘

[@ΧρηστοςΡηγας-ζ3σ]

Top 5 1. Kreator 2. Sodom 3. Slayer 4. Overkill 5. Exodus

[@Rocksember]

@@ΧρηστοςΡηγας-ζ3σ Nice Top!! 👌🤘

[@СтаниславГубин-р4у]

Mordred!!!🔥🔥🔥

[@Rocksember]

Good and underrated Band

[@Juan-xg9rg]

Slayer Kreator Testament Sepultura Exodus

[@norazlan7477]

1. Metallica 2. Sodom 3. Kreator 4. Slayer 5. Overkill Top 5.

[@Rocksember]

@@norazlan7477 Nice Top!! 🤘

[@marston4110]

No Pantera no Rest top great job 🤘

[@Rocksember]

@@marston4110 Pantera was the controversial in this top, i put it on that list at last minute cause in my initial top i didn't have it but for the relevance from Cowboys from hell i decide to put it, thanks for comment!! 🤘

[@thomaswade6902]

Good list

[@christianjackson9360]

Some are hardly HARD ROCK music instead of actual THRASH METAL!!

[@СтаниславГубин-р4у]

Grinder!!!🔥🔥🔥

[@aribabaTriCahyadi]

I'm from Indonesia. Suicidal Tendencies i like most until their album camera revolutions.. they have a great formation of band at the time i think.

[@Rocksember]

@@aribabaTriCahyadi me too the classic ST is better, i invite You to check My Channel there is a ST Top i made a few days ago

[@David.1927]

Possessed?

[@Rocksember]

@@David.1927 The Death Metal pioneers

[@makeuthink2120]

Yes! Honestly, their sound is Thrash even though they said they were 'death metal'.

[@danielwildeboer1382]

Nice list! I would put Metallica at Number one - Without them, Thrash Metal, or even Extreme Metal in general (if it existed) would be very different, at most, Thrash Metal bands would probably sounds more like Motorhead, Venom, or Accept, only - And I would put Exodus at number two. But Overkill really deserves a special mention because besides being one of the pioneers, it is also the oldest. I just wanted to add that some bands here In this list were never 100% totally Thrash Metal, but that's ok. Some were Thrash in some way but also something else, and others were something like almost Thrash. There are some bands here that were more Speed ​​Metal, others besides Speed ​​were even American Power Metal at the same time (!), others early Black/Death Metal, and others Crossover Thrash (which ok, were Thrash Metal, but ended up being part of the Punk movement too), and Pantera is Groove Metal, which had its origins mostly coming from Thrash. But that's ok, I'm not criticizing, just an observation and complementing the subject. Anyway, all the bands here have something of Thrash in one way or another, so it's not something "out of place".

[@Rocksember]

@@danielwildeboer1382 You're right...Thank You very much for your appreciation, and i have in Mind to do a Speed Metal Top soon, thanks for comment, and check My Chanel for more... Greetings! 🤘🤘

[@rm1042]

Sacrifice from Canada constantly gets overlooked. They're better and just as good as a lot of these bands on this list imo.

[@Rocksember]

And Sacrifice from Japan is good too

[@mcsuckalives2302]

DBC, The Disciples of Power 🤘🏻Canada ay! Take off hoser

[@СтаниславГубин-р4у]

Demolition Hammer!!!🔥🔥🔥

[@Rocksember]

Excellent Band!!

[@Tony-xb1hu]

I would have Flots , Suicidal, and Pantera higher. Not sure if Pantera qualifies as thrash though.

[@Rocksember]

Pantera more Groove but influential in Thrash

[@Giondenver]

Overkill is such an overlooked band … been a fan from the beginning …. Better than most … rotten to the core fucker !!!!

[@Rocksember]

@@Giondenver That's right my friend, thanks for comment... greetings!! 🤘🤘

[@mikedickens7957]

No Venom, who practically invented thrash metal? Anthrax went way down in my estimation when I heard 2 members made a cameo appearance in "Mama Mia"

[@Rocksember]

@@mikedickens7957 Venom is a strong influence for The birth of Thrash but i don't considere it Thrash for me is more Speed and NWOBHM, anyway thanks for comment!!

[@stevedamien638]

Venom is motorhead darker. In the 80s we had Wasp then Metallica Kill em All,then Megadeth,Exodus,Overkill,Sodom,Destruction,Kreator,ect. Anthrax no one cares much because of the too hard rock vocalist plus that bunch of midgets dressed in bermudas jumping around. They were still openers in their heydays. 1990 opening for Maiden. Now they are big because teens too lazy and suck at creating bands so the old timers get a second career and Anthrax can finally headline their concerts at 60 years old

[@laszloberzeviczi6976]

Assassin, Deathrow, Accuser , Acrophet, Demolition Hammer

[@Rocksember]

@@laszloberzeviczi6976 there are so many bands that i could easily do a Top 100

[@СтаниславГубин-р4у]

@@laszloberzeviczi6976 Demolition Hammer!!!!🔥🔥🔥

[@jozsefkantor3361]

From Central and Eastern Europe: Bedlam, Beyond, Slogan, Moby Dick, Atomic, Barbed Wire, Remorse (Hungary), Wolf Spider, Acid Drinkers (Poland), Masztyer, Shah (Russia). Massacra and Aggressor from France, Evil Sinner from Belgium, Poltergeist and Calhoun Conquer from Switzerland, Mekong Delta, Paradox, Holy Moses, Living Death, Accuser, Necronomicon and Vendetta from Germany, Dorsal Atlantica from Brazil.

[@Rocksember]

There are so many good bands, definitely material to do a Top 100... Thanks For Comment!!

[@RonScott-lo6xr]

Где Holy Moses?

[@Rocksember]

Is in my honorable mentions list

[@chiptuningvalmiera3197]

+Metal Church

[@foreverunsaved6661]

I never saw Metal Church as a thrash metal band. They are just straight out Metal.

[@RonScott-lo6xr]

@@foreverunsaved6661 D.R.I. and ST are not thrash metal bands too.

[@Rocksember]

@@foreverunsaved6661 me neither although they were pioneers

[@dwikydarmawan7093]

SACRED REICH American way 🤘🤟🔥🔥

[@АрсенийЯковлев-э3ю]

Slayer - number one!!!

[@garycox9341]

No mention of Mortal Sin.

[@Rocksember]

I mention it on my honorable mentions list!!

[@NanalmDeath]

intruder / mekong delta / napalm / Forbidden

[@Rocksember]

Excellent Bands!!

[@cliffburt7023]

Где Mekong Delta!??

[@Rocksember]

@@cliffburt7023 i'll put mekong delta in a prog Metal or Technical Thrash Top soon

[@cliffburt7023]

А все 35 прямо чистый треш ,да!???

[@PaulZermeno-t7d]

OVERfuknKILL!!!🤘

[@akreator1780]

Mortal sin обязательно должны быть в списке

[@Rocksember]

I put Mortal Sin on my honorable mentions list!!

[@metalpunkhead7314]

Overkill is my #1 too 💚🖕🖤

[@Rocksember]

Excellent!!

[@mauriciomolano103]

D r i es crossover y debía estar entre los primeros

[@Rocksember]

@@mauriciomolano103 Para mí hacen parte de la familia del Thrash igual tengo pensado hacer un Top de crossover en los que estén muy seguramente en un lugar más alto

[@kadugarrido4238]

Tem algumas bandas ai que não são thrash metal 👍🏾

[@KornelSzabo-oj6eb]

Where is Protector? (best thrash band from mother earth😊)

[@Vanessa-1982]

DRI y Suicidal no son thras metal, son hard Core o crosower 😮

[@Rocksember]

@@Vanessa-1982 hacen parte de la familia del Thrash igual tengo pensado hacer un Top de crossover en los que estás dos bandas estarán muy seguramente en un lugar más alto

[@sebastianurtiaga9110]

@@Rocksember Entonces de la misma forma, podria entrar Discharge.....que fue influencia para muchas Bandas Thrash.....

[@alfonsoluisledradomartin3032]

Joder, vaya tela.... respeto tus gustos.. pero madre mía,overkill por encima de slayer!?..se me hace bola y los anhilator por encima de metalica,enfin,como he dicho respeto.

[@Rocksember]

@@alfonsoluisledradomartin3032 Como dicen en mi país: entre gustos no hay disgustos, en épocas anteriores quizás hubiera puesto a Metallica de primeras o a Slayer pero los gustos van cambiando, en veinte años quizás vuelva a cambiar las posiciones

[@alt2214]

S.o.d. ?

[@Rocksember]

Is on my honorable mentions list!!

[@chrismemphis8062]

wHERE'S 'dEATH" AND VENOM?

[@mr.trampoline]

Not thrash

[@Absolutely_puck_fakestine]

Death and venom ?? In a thrash metal video ? What is wrong with you ????

[@Rocksember]

Death is Death Metal band or Technical Death Metal Venom is Speed NWOBHM band proto Black Metal

[@chrismemphis8062]

@@Rocksember according to you.

[@karolyzalareti5706]

If Heathen is here then don't forget to put Venom about 10-15th place

[@mramos1126]

pantera is not thrash

[@Rocksember]

@@mramos1126 they almost out from this list, i put it for the relevance in Thrash from Cowboys from hell, anyway thanks for comment!!

[@christianjackson9360]

They play HARD ROCK COUNTRY music!!

[@MrRockgod2011]

The song hostile has trash elements

[@GRANT-i3z]

Yea someone allways mentions that, it's all metal and Pantera have lots of thrashy songs so let it be

[@Protectorofangels777]

​@@Rocksemberactually Pantera are groove metal

[@bogdanzak4913]

Lazz Rockit.

[@Rocksember]

@@bogdanzak4913 oh very good band, there are many excellent Thrash bands, it's hard to pick just 35 i could have chosen 100 bands, anyway thanks for comment!!

[@АлександрШтольц-к6г]

Sepultura ниже Rasor и Tankard 🙄Вы это серьёзно?

[@cslan4]

Power trip????

[@ChrisAthe]

Number one RAZOR and no2 TOKYO BLADE🤘🤘

[@Rocksember]

@@ChrisAthe Razor excellent!! 🤘 Tokyo blade is NWOBHM

[@back4onemore]

Pantera Is NOT Thrash! Groove metal yes .

[@Rocksember]

@@back4onemore Pantera begins being a Glam Metal band with their first three albums, in Power Metal album is more Heavy/Speed and Cowboys from hell playing more Thrash Metal, Groove era since Vulgar display of Power even a little Thrash in that álbum

[@carlossalazar1375]

Overkill no.1. Wtf?

[@Rocksember]

@@carlossalazar1375 Is in my opinion. You can feel free to do your own top

[@vesselinivanov185]

Глупости... Единствено Metallica става за слушане....И е Безспорния Номер 1.....

[@zappafrank]

Celtic Frost is not thrash

[@donaldfredericksen1853]

Not

[@DavidJones-jc9fm]

Only heard of 4 outta 35. Those 4 sucked.

[@cristhianflores2846]

El peor ranking que vi

[@LifeLineLite]

Thanks for not forgetting the almighty Jeff Waters and his child Annihilator. But Sepultura must be much more higher in the list 🎉

[@Rocksember]

@@LifeLineLite Of course i could not forget The Master Jeff, thanks for comment!

[@mcsuckalives2302]

Other honorable mentions: Indestructible Noise Command, Num Skull, deadhorse, Kublai Khan, Ghoul, Forced Entry, MX Machine, Watchtower, Energetic Krusher, Mandator, Protector, Mutant , Napalm ( not death) , Epidemic, Midas Touch, Minotaur, Devestation , Gladiator, Dead Head,Invocator, Ritual Carnage, Morbid Saint

[@j.l.h.2650]

Forced Entry ignored again... Sigh

[@Rocksember]

@@j.l.h.2650 Maybe i'll put Forced Entry in a prog Metal list or Technical Thrash list, thanks for comment!!

[@iansullivan5148]

Testament slayer exodus all the rest can suck it

[@horstniedermayer5298]

Сомнительный топ...

[@mcsuckalives2302]

No SOD?? Speak English of Die maybe only possibly being the most pivital, standard setting lp in thrash history !? I kid, its ur list