Thrash metal recommendations

A couple bands you have to check out - Mantic Ritual & Early Man

I can't believe no one mentioned Dark Angel... They were a band which actually scared Slayer back in the day. Also Whiplash, Razor, early Helloween, Crash from South Korea, Xentrix, Re-Animator, Onslaught, Acid Reign and of course, the mighty Lawnmower Deth!

Just adding my appreciation for Vektor. I've been telling everyone I know about them. Great thrash metal with a definite 80s sound without being "retro" or "nostalgia" thrash, it actually has definite individuality and character.

The Russian band Aspid plays some absolutelly delicious thrash.

UMUR wrote: Vektor shit.

Holy crap! This is awesome!

Metallica999 wrote: However, i really dislike bands like Testament or Exodus.

Old school trash from a relatively new band. Check Vektor's second album. Mind blowing.

CCVP wrote: Sepultura's thrash period is much better than most of the big / famous thrash bands' entire careers IMO and is a MUST if you are looking for something besides that pasteurized sound of many of the 80's thrash acts.

I think that late Artillery might please you, too, since their style is pretty retro. My favorite Artillery albums are "By Inheritance" and "When Death Comes", but the other releases are very good, too.

As for Annihilator, "Alice in Hell" is my favorite album by Annihilator - it's pretty technical and has a lot of melodic elements, too. The latest Artillery album has some pretty brutal stuff on it, actually.

"Impact is Immanent" should also be on the list of recommended Exodus albums and, if you don't mind lousy production, you might also want to check out "Pleasures of the Flesh".

Death Angel's latest output "Relentless Retribution" and "Act III" is their most critically acclaimed album. "Act III" is a bit more adventurous and melodic, containing elements from alternative metal/rock and progressive metal - it is very good though. Their two first albums are also classics.

You might also want to check Sacred Reich's "Ingorance" album and the "Surfing Nicaragua" EP. "The American Way" is also very good, but it's not as breakneck fast.

You might also want to check Carnivore's two albums, although they are more in the crossover department. Suicidal Tendencies are another very good crossover band, and especially the albums "Join the Army", "How Will I Laugh Tomorrow... When I Can't Even Smile Today" and "Lights... Camera... Revolution" are recommended. You might want to avoid anything released after "Lights..." though, as they take a more alternative metal-inspired route.

I would also recommend all four albums by Invocator, but if you like your music fast and aggressive, then especially their first album "Excursion Demise".

You may also want to check Devoid's debut album "A God's Lie", and Swashbuckle's "Back to the Noose" and "Crime Always Pays..." and you must not miss out on Nuclear Assault's "Handle With Care". Eradication's "Dreams of Reality" might also be up your alley - they may look like a metalcore band, but the music on this album's pure thrash. Helstar's latest album "Glory of Chaos" is also very retro thrash metal which you might like. Austrian Death machine is also a kind of old school thrash act - check out "Double Brutal".

Oh, and, of course Anthrax' earlier stuff, like "Spreading the Disease", "Among the Living", "State of Euphoria" and "Persistence of time" should be checked out.

You might also want to get a hold on Rat Skates' "Get Thrashed" DVD.

Let me give you some German bands: