Very interesting thrash documentary

Not sure when this was released, but it seems pretty new - it actually features some new and refreshing perspectives/information compared to other run-of-the-mill specials I have seen over the years - at least to me.

Ahh yes, "Murder In The Front Row" is a great doc, I watched it (for the 3rd time) just a few nights ago. It was released in 2019. There's not much in it that long time thrash fans wouldn't already know, but it's a cool trip down memory lane.

If you want a doc that digs even deeper into the San Fran/Bay Area scene, seek out the 2-part "Bay Area Godfathers" documentary (from the same team as the "Inside Metal" series), it introduced me to quite a few bands from the early S.F. scene that I'd never heard before like Griffin and Steele.

Murder In The Front Row is really good! I bought the dvd for it when it was released. And the Bay Area Godfathers that FF mentioned are well worth watching too!

I've had it on DVD for a couple of years. It's a great documentary. As many musicians from that scene that were on it, there were still a few missing. I felt like it could have been even a bit longer.

Is there an in depth documentary about crossover thrash? If not, I’d like to see one made.

A few notable names:

SOD
Suicidal Tendencies
DRI
Cro-Mags
COC
Crumbsuckers
Cryptic Slaughter
Discharge

I’d personally add The Crucified, but they weren’t secular.

I don't think I've seen this. Not sure though. I will put it on my list and watch tonight or Friday or one of these nights.

I watched Death Angel's Thrashumentary a couple of months back.

I still haven't seen this. I guess I should though!

Too much of it was about Metallica.

Lari wrote:

Too much of it was about Metallica.

Considering they are actually an El Lay band makes that hilariously funny

James B. wrote:

Lari wrote:

Too much of it was about Metallica.

Considering they are actually an El Lay band makes that hilariously funny

They want everyone to forget that part.

They would have stayed in LA if it wasn’t for Cliff’s ultimatum.

L.A. gets a bad rap. There was a handful of great metal/thrash that came from there. Heavy hitters! I actually prefer these bands over the Bay area bands. Exodus is the biggest draw for the Bay, followed by Testament and Death Angel. Forbidden and Vio-lence were good, but they didn’t make a big enough splash and expand beyond the mid-level range.


L.A. (heavy hitters)

Slayer
Megadeth
Suicidal Tendencies
Dark Angel (mid-level, but very influential)
Metallica (in the beginning)

Cool heads up !

Troublezone wrote:

L.A. gets a bad rap. There was a handful of great metal/thrash that came from there. Heavy hitters! I actually prefer these bands over the Bay area bands. Exodus is the biggest draw for the Bay, followed by Testament and Death Angel. Forbidden and Vio-lence were good, but they didn’t make a big enough splash and expand beyond the mid-level range.


L.A. (heavy hitters)

Slayer
Megadeth
Suicidal Tendencies
Dark Angel (mid-level, but very influential)
Metallica (in the beginning)

Agent Steel was a killer L.A Thrash/Speed Metal outfit!

Troublezone wrote:

L.A. gets a bad rap. There was a handful of great metal/thrash that came from there. Heavy hitters! I actually prefer these bands over the Bay area bands. Exodus is the biggest draw for the Bay, followed by Testament and Death Angel. Forbidden and Vio-lence were good, but they didn’t make a big enough splash and expand beyond the mid-level range.


L.A. (heavy hitters)

Slayer
Megadeth
Suicidal Tendencies
Dark Angel (mid-level, but very influential)
Metallica (in the beginning)

I love Death Angel, Testament and Heathen. All in my top 10 thrash metal bands. Slayer is in the same league, but the others I'm not that much in love with. I only have one Dark Angel CD. Metallica had a good run (one good album less than what Heathen has!).

Good documentary and the companion book is also worth a look.

https://www.bazillionpoints.com/books/murder-in-the-front-row-by-brian-umlaut-lew-harald-o-oimoen/

Lari wrote:

Troublezone wrote:

L.A. gets a bad rap. There was a handful of great metal/thrash that came from there. Heavy hitters! I actually prefer these bands over the Bay area bands. Exodus is the biggest draw for the Bay, followed by Testament and Death Angel. Forbidden and Vio-lence were good, but they didn’t make a big enough splash and expand beyond the mid-level range.


L.A. (heavy hitters)

Slayer
Megadeth
Suicidal Tendencies
Dark Angel (mid-level, but very influential)
Metallica (in the beginning)

I love Death Angel, Testament and Heathen. All in my top 10 thrash metal bands. Slayer is in the same league, but the others I'm not that much in love with. I only have one Dark Angel CD. Metallica had a good run (one good album less than what Heathen has!).

There’s nothing wrong with the Bay bands, I just prefer the SoCal groups overall. Opinions will always vary. And Testament has always been my favorite Bay Area band. They are still going strong to this day! My main point is that the L.A. metal had a bad rap because of the glam metal era.

Witchfinder wrote:

Good documentary and the companion book is also worth a look.

https://www.bazillionpoints.com/books/murder-in-the-front-row-by-brian-umlaut-lew-harald-o-oimoen/

thanks for the heads up