Speed Metal vs Thrash Metal

Is there a difference between Speed Metal and Thrash Metal, or is Speed just another word for thrash?

Back in the day when guys like Metallica, Anthrax, Raven, etc. were first coming out, those terms were interchangeable.  

One magazine might call Metallica a "thrash" band, another would call them a "speed metal" band. Sometimes you'd even see it hyphenated ("speed-thrash" or "speed/thrash") to describe the same band.

So to me, they've always meant more or less the same thing... but I'm sure there is probably some nit picky way to differentiate between the two "styles" nowadays. I'm just too old to care...

I feel speed metal is a broader term. It can include power metal bands, too. Like Rage and Blind Guardian and Helloween, especially their early material.

The stuff that's kind of in between thrash and power when you're not quite sure which one to call it. Just call it speed metal then. Like Battalions of Fear or Walls of Jericho or Execution Guaranteed, off of the bands I mentioned above.

Then of course there's the "early speed metal" bands that never really fully got on board the thrash train, like Exciter. Or Raven. I think the whole speed metal term might be a little obsolete because everything tends to be so well defined nowadays. It's EITHER thrash OR power OR NWOBHM. Speed is that bastard child that doesn't follow definitions and pre-dates the separation of subgenres.

Speed metal is essentially fast traditional metal with a clean vocal style. Thrash metal has more of a punk influence, grittier vocals and is less melodic than speed metal. Obviously this is a spectrum and it's not like there's a clear cut line where one becomes the other.

Witchfinder wrote:

Speed metal is essentially fast traditional metal with a clean vocal style. Thrash metal has more of a punk influence, grittier vocals and is less melodic than speed metal. Obviously this is a spectrum and it's not like there's a clear cut line where one becomes the other.

This is a good description of the two. Well done Witchfinder.

Lari wrote:

I feel speed metal is a broader term. It can include power metal bands, too. Like Rage and Blind Guardian and Helloween, especially their early material.

The stuff that's kind of in between thrash and power when you're not quite sure which one to call it. Just call it speed metal then. Like Battalions of Fear or Walls of Jericho or Execution Guaranteed, off of the bands I mentioned above.

Then of course there's the "early speed metal" bands that never really fully got on board the thrash train, like Exciter. Or Raven. I think the whole speed metal term might be a little obsolete because everything tends to be so well defined nowadays. It's EITHER thrash OR power OR NWOBHM. Speed is that bastard child that doesn't follow definitions and pre-dates the separation of subgenres.

Well said, sir.

Witchfinder wrote:

Speed metal is essentially fast traditional metal with a clean vocal style. Thrash metal has more of a punk influence, grittier vocals and is less melodic than speed metal. Obviously this is a spectrum and it's not like there's a clear cut line where one becomes the other.

Also well said, sir.

BTW, I feel like we had this thread/ discussion before.

Witchfinder for the win

In the beginning both terms were almost interchangeable, but then some thrash went in a more gritty direction with bands like Sepultura, Kreator and Dark Angel.

I think the best examples of speed metal are the first two albums by Deliverance or the first album by Flotsam. Another distinction is that speed metal has been associated with cleaner vocals like power metal bands.

Of course I was behind the times with terms but when the first two "D" albums came out I ONLY remember calling them Speed Metal. I thought of Metallica as Speed Metal as well.

Now I know better.

I'm with Freddy! I remember those days when you'd be talking to one friend about your favorite thrash bands, then another friend about your favorite speed metal band. Both lists would always be the same bands most times lol

This is easy. Listen to early Agent Steel then listen to early Exodus. You'll never confuse the two again.Problem is lots of speed metal crosses into power metal territory, so your mileage may vary. For example-Is Iron Maiden's Be Quick or Be Dead Speed Metal or Power Metal? Again, as someone said the lines kinda blur... Speed Metal : Thrash Metal: Hope that clears it up, men.

Thanks for helping out. On a side note, I'd argue that the debut albums by Anthrax and Metallica are more speed than thrash. Just listen to the first tracks on each:





However, Slayer are pretty much complete thrash:

Hadley wrote:

Thanks for helping out. On a side note, I'd argue that the debut albums by Anthrax and Metallica are more speed than thrash. Just listen to the first tracks on each:





However, Slayer are pretty much complete thrash:

Yes, thrash was just beginning to become a distinct genre, kinda like early death metal sounds very thrashy lol

What Witchfinder said. I always reach for speed when I want the essence of cool in my head. But if angry skies are brewing, thrash is king.

How about a loose comic book analogy? Yeah? Ok: Iron Man is speed metal. The Punisher is thrash. Quick, someone improve on this.

corplhicks wrote:

What Witchfinder said. I always reach for speed when I want the essence of cool in my head. But if angry skies are brewing, thrash is king.

How about a loose comic book analogy? Yeah? Ok: Iron Man is speed metal. The Punisher is thrash. Quick, someone improve on this.

I would say Flash would be speed metal and War Machine would be thrash. Would Dr.Doom represent Doom Metal? Dr.Strange would represent Stoner ( due to the psychedelic elements prevalent in especially the early Ditko material), Thor would definitely be Power Metal, Son of Satan is truly Black Metal and Punisher would definitely be Death Metal.

John Madden wrote:

corplhicks wrote:

What Witchfinder said. I always reach for speed when I want the essence of cool in my head. But if angry skies are brewing, thrash is king.

How about a loose comic book analogy? Yeah? Ok: Iron Man is speed metal. The Punisher is thrash. Quick, someone improve on this.

I would say Flash would be speed metal and War Machine would be thrash. Would Dr.Doom represent Doom Metal?    Dr.Strange would represent Stoner ( due to the psychedelic elements prevalent in especially the early Ditko material), Thor would definitely be Power Metal, Son of Satan is truly Black Metal and Punisher would definitely be Death Metal.

Even better! I suppose Prog could be Rorschach from Watchmen. Especially if we're talking Steven Wilson.