The Underdogs of Thrash Metal

   A lot of people that don't really know metal very well when you ask them what metal bands they do actually listen to. Do you know what band they say?  Freakin Metallica.  Not to say Metallica is bad by any means, but come on guys there are so many great ones out there that if you just gave this music a chance you Will find that there will probably be a few more that you will like just the same.  Now to the people that do listen to metal.  There is this known fact that there is such a thing called The Big Four, and it consists of the four thrash metal bands that basically took all the credit in the 80's.  Metallica being the forfronter of course, but there is Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax.  Now I absolutely love all of those bands in their own way so this is not bashing them in any way.  I wanted to take this opportunity to shed some light on some of the bands that I thought were just as good if not better in some cases.  There are three that come to mind right off the bat.  Kreator, Exodus, and Testament.  These guys seemed to get the short end of the stick, or ice block but no pic.  Whatever you want to call it.  These guys got shafted in respect for creditability on creating a pathway to a lot of today's metal.  I think Kreator honestly should be one of the Big Four.  So I wanted to showcase these guys to try and honor the Underdogs of 80's Thrash Metal.  

- Kreator -

Endless Pain - Released 85'

Pleasure To Kill - Released 86'

Terrible Certainty - Released 87'

Extreme Aggression - 89'

  

   

   Kreator's 80's albums didn't start to get real popular until its last 80's release.  Extreme Aggression.  They were only achieving minuscule fame and recognition until that release.  It was their first major record label release for them.  In 1988 they were signed to Epic Records, and later that following year they released Extreme Aggression.  It was the first album that they released major record singles, and also their first music videos.  The song Betrayer was their first major hit and video.  After becoming a big hit on Headbanger's Ball the were able to tour with Suicidal Tendencies, which majorly helped their fame in Europe.

   Kreator since than have changed their sound and back again.  They changed it in the 90's due to the decline in popularity to a more death metal, or an industrial metal sound.  Metallica, and Anthrax also both changed their approach.  They definitely went more commercial with their sound in the 90's.  Some say that was the end of them being a true metal band, and some say that was the best change they could've made.  I personally like the 80's styles of both of those bands way more.  

   They returned to their roots in 2000 when they recruited  Sami Yli-Sirniö, and released Violent Revolution in 01'.  I absolutely love this album.  I am happy to see them back to their old style but while still keeping it fresh and new.  Their guitar work has always been great but I think they really have kicked it up a notch ever since Violent Revolution.  I definitely recommend their newest release Hordes of Chaos which was released in 09'.  These guys have been going strong for almost 30 years and show no signs of stopping, and I definitely respect them as one of the Big Four.
 

- Exodus -

- Bonded By Blood - Released 85'

- Pleasures of the Flesh - Released 87'

- Fabulous Disaster - Released 89'



   Exodus has gone through a lot of line-up changes and early in their career also.  Exodus's original line-up consisted of Kirk Hammett of Metallica.  They formed Exodus in 82' but Hammett left them to join Metallica.  He was later replaced by guitarist  Rick Hunolt.  They recorded only a demo with Kirk in 82'.  Bonded By Blood wasn't released until 85'.  Their original singer Paul Baloff was replaced shortly after the release of Bonded By Blood, with  Steve "Zetro" Souza, who previously sang for Testament.  So their career early on was starting off kind of rocky.  The music didn't show it though.  I always thought that it was top notch speed thrash metal.

   Exodus also has shifted their sound around a little.  I don't think it was a commercial attempt though.  I think it was more experimentation with the different vibes.  Exodus unfortunately had a hiatus for a short time in the late 90's.  They reformed in 2001, and have been consistently releasing material since.  I definitely recommend both of their atrocity scene releases A and B.  They are great.  The only member to ever consistently remain in Exodus from their birth in 82' is Gary Holt on guitar. 

- Testament -

- The Legacy - Released 87'

- The New Order - Released 88'

- Practice What You Preach - Released 89'

 

   Testament was originally formed in 83' and went by the name legacy.  They released a demo in 85', but didn't get their first official release out until 87 with Legacy.  Testament has also had a lot of line-up changes over the years.  They received instant fame with their Legacy release and were compared to Metallica, but never got the chart success that their combatants received.   

  In the 90's they shifted to a more melodic style of playing because  Alex Skolnick, their lead guitarists left the band.  Also their drummer had left as well.  In 2001 Chuck Billy was diagnosed with a serious form of cancer and had to seek treatment putting the band on hold for a while.  In 2003 Chuck was able to make a full recovery and they came back with their release The Formation of Damnation which was released in 2008.  I really enjoy that album.  The guitar work is very pristine and full of life.  The solos on the album are also very well constructed.  So on a whole this band has had a big influence on the thrash metal movement despite their late start and major changes through-out their career. 

  

   So weather you agree with me or not.  I think that these guys are great bands none the less.  Thash metal bands at that.  I think these guys deserve more credit than they get for the creation of speed, thash metal.  Now out or the official big four my favorite is Metallica.  Ha so cliche of me to say that right.  The close second is Megadeth, then Slayer, ad last Anthrax.  I honestly would replace Anthrax with Kreator.  I really like them a lot.  So I hope I paid these guys due respect with this post.  So until next time stay hard,stay heavy.