Top 20 Thrash Metal albums of all time.

awesome list, James!

detuned wrote:

awesome list, James!

i realy dug yours too

I raise you a

This makes me realize that I have gaps in my thrash metal collection. I will be checking out a ton of the bands mentioned. Great lists!

1 - Deliverance - Deliverance - 20 years and this never gets old. Every time I listen to it I'm amazed. That's how I know it's #1

2- Vengeance Rising - Once Dead - This was an album in high school I'd let my "secular" buddies borrow to show them Christian Thrash wasn't acapella. This was a band at its creative and energy peak. It has a sound I can't quite describe that I've never heard on another album. Bluesy Thrash?

3- Tourniquet - Stop the Bleeding - Definately on the speed-metal side of Thrash. Again, this blows me away every time I hear it. Timeless. I know the vocals throw some people on this one. The vocals are part of the appeal for me.

4 - Overkill - Horrorscope - 1st listen = "man, this is good" 2nd listen = "wow, this is awesome" 3rd listen = "this is a classic, I can't believe how good this is." I've got a feeling that if I'd been listening to this 2 decades instead of 2 weeks this would be ranked high(er(est).

5 - Metallica - Ride the Lightning - 1/4 of a Century? Are you kidding me? This never gets old. Best from the Big 4, if you ask me.

6- Deliverance - Weapons of Our Warfare - Slightly more slick and accessable than S/T, but just as timeless for me. They had an amazing run there.

7- Testament - The Formation of Damnation - This one has melody, vocals and balls in a nice Thrash stew that works perfectly. The songs are strong and memorable.

8 - Mortification - Mortification - The brutal side of Thrash. I distinctly remember the day I got it (my 18th Birthday) and the looks on the faces of my friends at my party. Basically 9 people doing this while me and my one metal buddy were doing this. Steve Rowe and Co. had an early 90's stretch of incredible music that started with this.

9- Once Dead - Visions of Hell - I know for sure this will be the biggest "what!?" head scratcher. I love this album so much. For reasons I can't explain, it seems everything this album got panned for I love. Vocals, drums, production...everything. This album kicks my butt every time and makes me play it again.

10 - Ultimatum - Into the Pit - So tight, so much energy. Love everything about this album.

11 - Warbringer - War Without End - Very fast and has a brutal edge that appeals to me.

12 - Testament - First Strike, Still Deadly - Again with the melodic accessability. These guys are great song writers.

13 - Paradox - Heresy - The lyrics, the skillful playing and the great vocals make this one of my surprise trades of 2009. How did I not hear this for so many years?

14 - Forbidden - Forbidden Evil - Here's another one I've only had for a few weeks that made me sit up and say "wow." I bet the longer I own this the higher it might climb. This deserves its reputation

15 - Metallica - Death Magnetic - Head-scratcher #2, I bet. Yes, I have this highter than MoP. That's because I like it more. MoP is good, but something about it sounds too processed while this one doesn't. I don't know...the heart wants what the heart wants.

16 - Vengeance Rising - Released Upon the Earth - Over the years this one has risen from its already lofty position in my Pantheon. Yes, Human Sacrifice is awesome, seminal, etc...but I love so much about Released that I couldn't rank it lower.

17 - Mortification - Post Momentary Affliction - The other piece of Thrash bread in their Death Metal sandwich. Their 3 album stretch that ended with this one is one of the best in metal history, in my opinion. This album has tons of creativity and skill.

18 - Tourniquet - Pathogenic Ocular Dissonance - Cranking up the brutality and technicality, this album still dominates all these years later. Although I like Stop the Bleeding more, I think they peaked here in skill and execution.

19 - Metallica - Master of Puppets - There it is! Yes, still a classic, I just don't love it as much as most do. Very accessible yet heavy-duty Thrash.

20 - Vengeance Rising - Human Sacrifice - I've told the story elsewhere, and won't repeat it, but this was with me during my closest brush with death. Although it's now #20, there's no shame in that and at one time I bet there wasn't an album I played more. Did a lot of push-ups and sit-ups to White Throne in high school.

21 - Ultimatum - Lex Metalis - I couldn't rank a covers album higher, but this is a very good album. It gets me pumped every time I listen to it. This is very tight and well executed. I think Ult has really found himself vocally the last 5-7 years. Awesome.

22 - Blood Tsunami - Thrash Metal - Reminds me somewhat of Angela Gossow in the vocals department. Listen to this and Rise of the Tyrant back to back. Anyhow, this is some killer Thrash. I hope their new one is as good.

23 - Megadeth - Countdown to Extinction - "Megadeth finally makes it with their least Thrashy album?" Yep, and I love this one. It's my favorite from them.

24 - Mortification - Erasing the Goblin - Morty came back strong on this one. Their best since the mid-90's in my opinion.

25 - Avenger of Blood - Death Brigade - I love the chaotic energy and war themes in this one. I find this one to be tight and well executed. Great Thrash.


Overkill - Ironbound will crash this list soon enough.

Great list and words, scottmitchell. I couldnt agree more!!! my top three will always be Ultimatum, Deliverance and Mort!

1- Metallica - Master of Puppets
2- Hirax - New Age of Terror
3- DeadHead - The Feast Begins at Dawn
4- S.O.D. - Speak English or Die
5- Zoetrope - Amnesty
6- Exodus - Bonded by Blood
7- Sacred Reich - Surf Nicaragua
8- Tankard - The Morning After
- Acridity - For Freedom I cry
- Nuclear Assault - Survival
- Anthrax - Among the Living
- Overthrow - Within Suffering
- Dark Angel - Time Heals Nothing
- Viking - Man of Straw
-Grinder - Dawn for the Living
-Kublai Khan - Annihilation
-Rumble Militia - Destroy Fascism
-Gothic Slam - Just a Face in the Crowd
-Cyclone - Inferior to None
-United - Bloodied But Unbowed
-Korrozia Metalla - Russian Vodka
-ADX - Suprématie
-Outrage - Black Clouds
-Razor - Shotgun Justice
-Devastation - Violent Termination
-Rostok Vampires - Torment of Transformation
-Vile [Mpls] - Demo '88
-Acid Reign - The Fear
-Repent - Disciple of Decline
-Overkill - Feel The Fire
At War - Ordered to Kill
Lawshed - Let Us Not Talk Falsely
Ratos de Porao - Brasil

Really, truly impossible. Where do I even put the classics from Sodom, Destruction, Kreator, Testament, Demolition Hammer, Hammer, Wolfspider, Turbo, Prestige, Airdash, Stone, Deliverance, Vengeance Rising, Acid Drinkers, Xentrix, Sepultura, Whiplash, Ultimatum, D.R.I., Master, Shah, Suicidal Tendencies, Annihilator, Exciter, Possessed, every Bay area band ever, the 100's of great Japanese thrash bands, the new wave, local favs like Mondo Thrasho/Animosity/Deathrider/Shredfit/etc.........???? Forget about it.

Unc, great call on Zoetrope's Amnesty...

UNCLE SAXON wrote:

2- Hirax - New Age of Terror

Nice! That would be high on my list as well.

[quote="UNCLE SAXON"]
Ratos de Porao - Brasil
quote]


no one knows about them but I love that album.

[quote="Stender"]

UNCLE SAXON wrote:

Ratos de Porao - Brasil
quote]


no one knows about them but I love that album.

CRUSIFICADO PELO SISTEMA!

[quote="detuned"]

Stender wrote:

UNCLE SAXON wrote:

Ratos de Porao - Brasil
quote]


no one knows about them but I love that album.

CRUSIFICADO PELO SISTEMA!

1. Metallica - Kill 'Em All (the one
that started it all for me!)
2. Vengeance Rising - Human Sacrifice (few can match it's raw power! Obviously one of my all time favorites and a huge influence on me personally!)

3.
TIE:
Anthrax - Spreading the Disease
Overkill- Taking Over (two of the soundtracks of my youth!)

4. Metallica - Ride the Lightning
5. Exodus - Fabulous Disaster
6. Testament - Practice What You Preach
7. Dark Angel - Leave Scars
8. Anthrax - Among the Living
9. Megadeth - Peace Sells...

10. TIE:
Deliverance - s/t
Deliverance - Weapons of our Warfare (both equally great IMO)

11. Dark Angel - Time Does Not Heal
12. Megadeth - Rust in Peace
13. Believer - Extraction from Mortality
14. Voivod - Killing Technology
15. Nuclear Assault-Survive!
16. Kreator - Terrible Certainty

17. Hirax - New Age of Terror (this is one newer thrash album that has
become one of my all time favorites.)

18. Sodom -Code Red
19. Death Angel - Frolic Through the Park
20. Overkill - Under the Influence

A few of my newer favorites:
Havok - Burn
Vektor - Black Future
Disaffection - Begin the Revolution
Bonded by Blood - Feed the Beast

In no particular order:

Metallica - Ride the Lightning
Metallica - Master of Puppets
Megadeth - Rust in Peace
Megadeth - Peace Sells ... But Who's Buying?
Anthrax - Among the Living
Testament - The Legacy
Testament - The New Order
Testament - Practice What You Preach
Testament - The Gathering
Slayer -World Painted Blood
Exodus - Bonded In blood
Exodus - Pleasures of the Fleash
Exodus - Fabulous Disaster
Overkill - Years of Decay
Overkill - Horrorscope
Kreator - Terrible Certainty
Kreator - Extreme Aggression
Kreator - Pleasure to Kill
Tourniquet - Pathogenic Ocular Dissonance
Sodom - Agent Orange

In absolutely no order at all:

Kreator - Coma Of Souls
Testament - The New Order
Dark Angel - Time Does Not Heal
Metallica - Ride The Lightning
Megadeth -Rust In Peace
Anthrax - Among The Living
Slayer - Seasons In The Abyss
Sodom - Agent Orange
Coroner - R.I.P.
Heathen - Victims Of Deception
Viking - Man Of Straw
Believer - Sanity Obscure
Overkill - Horrorscope
Exodus - Fabulous Disaster
Vio-lence - Eternal Nightmare
Razor - Shotgun Justice
Demolition Hammer - Tortured Existence
Artillery - By Inheritance
Cyclone - Inferior To None
Sacrament - Haunts Of Violence

...and subject to change at any time.

Man, I'm leaving absolutely HEAPS of albums off that I love! That list is right off the top of my head. I could easily add albums by Vulture, United, Hexenhaus, Equinox, Nuclear Assault, Mezzrow, Fallen Angel, Accuser, etc...

I can't believe I forgot about Viking "man of straw"

some of my newer fave's are......

hatchet-awaiting evil
bonded by blood-feed the beast
and both warbringer cds

I find it interesting how many of these lists have NO Slayer albums in them at all. When I think of thrash, that's the first band that comes to mind.

detuned wrote:

I find it interesting how many of these lists have NO Slayer albums in them at all. When I think of thrash, that's the first band that comes to mind.

only 5 failed to list any Slayer. one of them was Sax, & he hates Mercyful Fate too, so there you go.

My Top 5...(all interchangable)

Megadeth - So Far, So Good, So What
Metallica - Ride the Lightning
Metallica - Master of Puppets
Anthrax - State of Euphoria
Megadeth - Peace Sells

Followed by 15 more I like (also interchangable)

Slayer - Reign In Blood
Hatchet - Awaiting Evil
Megadeth - Rust In Peace
Death Angel - Frolic In The Park
Death Angel - The Art of Dying
Lazarus AD - The Onslaught
Testament - The New Order
Flotsam & Jetsam - High
Exodus - Pleasures of the Flesh
Exodus - Fabulous Disaster
Evile - Enter the Grave
Megadeth - The System Has Failed
Metallica - Kill 'Em All
Metallica - And Justice For All
Anthrax - The Sound of White Noise

Honorable mentions to Overkill's Horrorscope, Sacred Reich's Independant, Shadows Fall's The War Within and Fueled By Fire's Spread the Fire.

detuned wrote:

I find it interesting how many of these lists have NO Slayer albums in them at all. When I think of thrash, that's the first band that comes to mind.

If it was a top 30, I would have put South Of Heaven on there (even though it's one of their least thrashy). Ten years ago I woudl have had more Slayer on my list but I since my thrash has increased exponentially in the last decade Slayer is low on my list (believe it or not, it has nothing to do with my dislike of their lyrics).

Good List MG.I agree with ya on that Shadows Fall album.I think me and you are the only two here who like that band.

Theres alot of the newer Thrash releases I really dig too:

Hyades-And the Worst is Yet to Come
Municipal Waste-The Art of Partying
Hatchet-Awaiting Evil
Gama Bomb-Citizen Brain
Warpath-Damnation
Aggression-Moshpirit
Hexen-State of Insurgency
Savage Messiah-Spitting Venom
Disaffection-Begin the Revolution
Lazarus A.D-The Onslaught
Violator-Chemical Assault
Toxic Holocaust-An Overdose of Death

I coulda added allot more newer thrash (most of them on your list Thrasher) to my list as well but held off because most of them still have that "new car smell" and I want to see how they hold up over time.

The ones I went with are tried & true and discs that I keep going back to again and again and again.

I don't get why people are so against Shadows Fall, especially in their later releases. Whatever labels that had attached to them as they started out (melodic death, metalcore, whatever) has been slowly transformed into a modern thrash band. They keep getting better and better with each release in my opinion.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I coulda added allot more newer thrash (most of them on your list Thrasher) to my list as well but held off because most of them still have that "new car smell" and I want to see how they hold up over time.

The ones I went with are tried & true and discs that I keep going back to again and again and again.

I don't get why people are so against Shadows Fall, especially in their later releases. Whatever labels that had attached to them as they started out (melodic death, metalcore, whatever) has been slowly transformed into a modern thrash band. They keep getting better and better with each release in my opinion.

I like Shadow's Fall to a point, they just don't stand out to my ears as much as many of the newer bands. When it comes to newer thrash bands, I really like these albums:

Municipal Waste-The Art Of Partying (though not nearly as much as:
Municipal Waste-Massive Aggressive
Bonded By Blood-Feed The Beast
Lazarus A.D.-The Onslaught
Hatchet-Awaiting Evil
Mantic Ritual-The Execusioner

DallasBlack wrote:

detuned wrote:

I find it interesting how many of these lists have NO Slayer albums in them at all. When I think of thrash, that's the first band that comes to mind.

If it was a top 30, I would have put South Of Heaven on there (even though it's one of their least thrashy). Ten years ago I woudl have had more Slayer on my list but I since my thrash has increased exponentially in the last decade Slayer is low on my list (believe it or not, it has nothing to do with my dislike of their lyrics).

Totally makes sense.

I've been listening to Slayer since 1984 and have always been kind of a "nut" when it comes to them anyway. So I guess since 5 of their albums made my top 20 list, it all balances out!



...and somehow I managed to put together a top 20 without Exodus making the list...and Anthrax got on there just barely.

Being a huge thrash metal lover It was hard to pick the albums out, but here it goes
metallica - ride the lighting
metallica - kill them all
megadeth - rust in peace
vio-lence - eternal nightmare
whiplash - power and pain
testament - the legacy
testament - new order
exodus - bonded by blood
overkill - feel the fire
ultimatum - into the pit
dark angel - leave scars
hirax- the new age of terror
tankard - the beauty and the beast
pantera - cowboys from hell
sodom - agent orange
deliverance - deliverance
tourniquet - stop the bleeding
sacred reich - ignorance
heathen - victims of deception
annihilator - never neverland

MetalGuy71 wrote:

My Top 5...(all interchangable)

Megadeth - So Far, So Good, So What
Metallica - Ride the Lightning
Metallica - Master of Puppets
Anthrax - State of Euphoria
Megadeth - Peace Sells

Followed by 15 more I like (also interchangable)

Slayer - Reign In Blood
Hatchet - Awaiting Evil
Megadeth - Rust In Peace
Death Angel - Frolic In The Park
Death Angel - The Art of Dying
Lazarus AD - The Onslaught
Testament - The New Order
Flotsam & Jetsam - High
Exodus - Pleasures of the Flesh
Exodus - Fabulous Disaster
Evile - Enter the Grave
Megadeth - The System Has Failed
Metallica - Kill 'Em All
Metallica - And Justice For All
Anthrax - The Sound of White Noise

Honorable mentions to Overkill's Horrorscope, Sacred Reich's Independant, Shadows Fall's The War Within and Fueled By Fire's Spread the Fire.

Great list bro. I was going to say INDEPENDANT too, but it is more groove than thrash, so I picked up the first one they did