If you could change the thrash Big 4 -

I wouldn't change a thing, as those bands earned that spot. If you had to vote one band out of the mix, it would be Anthrax. If I had to put one band in to replace them, it would be from that pretty common second tier:

Testament
Death Angel
Overkill
Exodus

Boris2008 wrote:

Lari wrote:

I don't know if the Big Four was ever about the quality of music. Just records sold.

That's it. Plus they were the first to get records out (well not Megadeth but Dave had history in the scene)

They were also the first four thrash bands to land major label deals.

...of course, this was back when signing with a major was still considered a "positive."

I would make it the Big One: Kreator.

Holy Terror
Whiplash
Nuclear Assault
Dark Angel

John Madden wrote:

Holy Terror
Whiplash
Nuclear Assault
Dark Angel

Great bands but you really would have to redefine the word 'big'

You cannot change the Big 4 because they were the biggest selling bands of the genre at the time and it stuck. None of them remained a thrash band but Slayer being the closest to not completely abandoning the style but they drifted as well.

As for this day in age, Slayer would be the only one I would list.

I feel this is more of a fanboy thread than anything HAHA!

Lurideath wrote:

You cannot change the Big 4 because they were the biggest selling bands of the genre at the time and it stuck. None of them remained a thrash band but Slayer being the closest to not completely abandoning the style but they drifted as well.

As for this day in age, Slayer would be the only one I would list.

I feel this is more of a fanboy thread than anything HAHA!

I'd still put Megadeth in there. They strayed with Risk, but for the most part remained true to form.

Quote :

I'd still put Megadeth in there. They strayed with Risk, but for the most part remained true to form.

Yeah, I like Risk a lot, but even conceding that one, they've been perhaps the MOST consistent of all the Big 4. We may have not been able to say that 15 years ago; but since they've been putting out a string of killer albums since the mid 2000s I think they're fan base has had more to be excited about than Anthrax, Slayer or Metallica fans.

Lurideath wrote:

I feel this is more of a fanboy thread than anything HAHA!

Fucking "Fanboy Thread", Shannon??? How is AoB Mach IV coming along?

Suicidal Tendencies, Overkill and Testament are probably the next in line based on sales but nowhere near as successful. Everyone so quick to replace Anthrax .

Eh, I've come to care about who's in the Big 4 as much as who makes the Rock n Roll HoF. Which is not much.

MetallicA (Though I would disqualify them now for lack of thrash longevity)
Testament
Slayer
Overkill

Exodus
Testament
Sacred Reich
Megadeth