Best of the Big Four of Thrash Metal?

Testament.


Ok, I kid. Sort of. I do enjoy Metallica a lot (up until and after St. Anger that is) but I rarely feel like listening to them anymore except maybe one or two songs here and there. I've never really gotten into Anthrax so they're out. Megadeth is alright as far as instruments go but the day Dave Mustaine convinced himself that he could do vocals is a sad, sad day in the history of music. Slayer is a hit and miss band for me but honestly, with the hits they outrank the rest of the 4 in terms of how likely I am to listen to it. I mean, I can almost always put on South of Heaven or God Hates Us All and not feel the need to listen to something else halfway through.

So yea, Slayer it is I guess.

This is hard, so let's look at how I feel about each band:

Slayer - my average rating for their stuff tends to be in the 3 - 3.5 star range with higher ratings for the 1985 - 1990 period. Not a massive fan overall. However they are the only one of the four who have never turned their back on thrash, which I guess gives them bonus points.

Anthrax - again not a massive fan overall. I like Among the Living a lot however I haven't given them any five stars. I see their groove period as a turn for the worse.

Metallica - first 4 are excellent with Ride the Lightning being one of my favourite thrash metal releases of all time. After Justice though they took a turn for the worse which they still haven't recovered from. They have the dubious distinction of having produced both the best and worst releases of the Big 4.

Megadeth - I think that they've maintained a little stronger average level of quality since their heyday (1986 - 1992 for me), but they do have one less 4.5 from me than Metallica has. Their worst releases are still more listenable than Metallica's though.

So in terms of favourite releases it has to be Metallica, but with deductions for bads releases taken into account as well I guess that means Slayer is actually the one deserving of my vote. I have to go with the band I'm more likely to listen to though, which is Metallica.

For me it's Slayer > Megadeth > Metallica, though I haven't heard enough of Anthrax to decide.

I went with Anthrax today. Other days it would be Slayer. It's never been Megadeth, and can no longer be Metallica.

adg211288 wrote: I could never get into Slayer or Anthrax. Megadeth I enjoy but only seem to be able to take in small doses so I guess I have to say Metallica. The early albums are still some of the best thrash releases I've ever heard even if their output has been less than stellar since. There are definitely more non-big 4 thrash bands I seem to enjoy hell of a lot more these days though.

i think metallica has been back on tracksince death magnetic except for lulu. lords of summer is a great track

I watched a live performance of them all playing 'Am I Evil?'
It's hard to choose, but I would pick Anthrax.

I could never get into Slayer or Anthrax. Megadeth I enjoy but only seem to be able to take in small doses so I guess I have to say Metallica. The early albums are still some of the best thrash releases I've ever heard even if their output has been less than stellar since. There are definitely more non-big 4 thrash bands I seem to enjoy hell of a lot more these days though.

Oddly Slayer never did much for me but I love the first three. Anthrax is under-rated, but Megadeth for me too.