Thrash Metal Now with more Satan! (j/k)

Thrash Metal Developed on the West Coast (LA and San Fran)AND in NYC in the early-1980s through the “Big 4”: Anthrax (NYC), MegaDeth, Metallica, and Slayer (CA) Themes and lyrics dealing with social issues show the influence of punk and hardcore Musical features include fast tempos, complex guitar riffs influenced by bands like Iron Maiden & Judas Priest, & an aggressive drumming style 1984 becomes landmark year for thrash, with release of Metallica’s Ride The Lightning ("Trapped Under Ice”) Anthrax’s Fistful of Metal, and Slayer’s Haunting the Chapel

Influences Heavily influenced by NWOBHM & punk/hardcore Prog Rock also incorporated, often in the complex song structures & obtuse lyrics Two bands often cited are Iron Maiden & Judas Priest – Both feature heavy instrumentation, dual guitars, complex songs, & screaming vocal styles

Iron Maiden

Formed on Christmas Day, 1975 in East London by bassist and songwriter Steve Harris After years of revolving membership, IM finds fame hiring Bruce Dickinson as lead vocalist and releasing The Number of the Beast (1982) ("Run To The Hills”)Run To The Hills Known most notably for their use of twin-lead guitar style, and use of a mascot (Eddie) on all of their LP jackets from TNOTB onward Accused by Christian groups of perpetuating Satanic themes, particularly after TNOTB was released which led to bans on the albumTNOTB

Judas Priest

Formed in 1969 in England Vocalist Rob Halford incorporated gay themes into his lyrics (he is gay), and an S&M image (studs & bondage gear) Ironically, this image became “standard” for heavy metal bands/fans Accused of placing Satanic, backward-masked messages in their songs (lawsuit)lawsuit The band wasn’t all bondage all the time: Orwell’s 1984 Orwell’s 1984

Motorhead

Ace of Spades Motorhead Formed in 1975 by bassist/vocalist Lemmy Kilmister (god)god Lemmy had been a roadie for Jimi Hendrix The band’s “speed metal” is a defining influence on 80s thrash Their music bears the distinct influence of amphetamines Their mascot, Snaggletooth, is a precursor to Megadeth’s Vic Rattlehead, & othersSnaggletoothVic Rattlehead Ace of Spades famously speaks of the allure of gambling Ace of Spades

Slayer

Seasons in the Abyss Slayer Formed in 1981 by guitarists Kerry King & Jeff Hanneman One of the earliest metal bands to work with Rick Rubin Lyrics overtly Satanic, anti-religion, & glorifying Nazi war criminalsSatanicanti-religionglorifying Nazi war criminals Sound is immediately identifiable by shrieking, growling vocals, atonal guitar playing, and furious, double-bass drum figures Guitarist Jeff Hanneman died in 2013

Seasons in the Abyss continued From their 5 th album, released 1990 on Def American Records – Seasons in the Abyss (album) Unique for it’s slower tempo (intro) Lyrics have been interpreted as from the perspective of a serial killer The US military used this album during Operation Desert Storm in the early 1990s Operation Desert Storm Video

Anthrax

Caught in a Mosh Anthrax Formed 1981 in NYC by guitarist Scott Ian One of the earliest thrash metal bands to sign to a major label (1985) One of the earliest metal bands to incorporate rap/hip-hop into their sound (I’m the Man)I’m the Man The band generally eschewed the “leather & spikes” image of many of their contemporaries.image

Caught in a Mosh continued Released 1987 on Megaforce/Island Records – Among the Living (album) This was their 3 rd studio album The songs are variously influenced by Stephen King novels & comic books The album in dedicated to Cliff Burton (bassist, Metallica) Video

Megadeth

Peace Sells… Megadeth Formed in LA in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine & bassist Dave Ellefson Mustaine had recently been fired from Metallica prior to recording their 1 st album The “goal” of the band was to write heavier, darker songs than Metallica (with in tune lead guitar…) Lyrics touch on war, politics, witchcraft, religion, drug use, & the apocalypse

Peace Sells… continued From their 2 nd album, released 1986 on Capitol Records – Peace Sells…but Who’s Buying? (album) The entire album focuses on the Cold War This song attempts to dispel the stereotype of metal fans as lazy & apolitical This was the last album to feature guitarist Chris Poland & drummer Gar Samuelson Video

Suicidal Tendencies

Institutionalized Suicidal Tendencies Formed 1981 in California by vocalist Mike Muir The band started as a hardcore punk band that evolved into thrash metal The band featured members of different ethnicities (black, Hispanic, etc) Long linked to LA gangs The video for the song was a major hit on MTV

Institutionalized continued Released 1983 on Frontier Records – Suicidal Tendencies (album) Tells the story of a teenager’s confrontations with authority The band was heavily involved in the skateboard scene of early 80s California Listen to the instruments become more & more manic as the vocals escalate Does anybody else want a Pepsi?Pepsi

Testament

Souls of Black Testament Formed 1983 in California One of the most successful thrash bands of the 1980s Guitarist Alex Skolnick went on to form the jazz band Alex Skolnick TrioAlex Skolnick Trio Toured as a support act with Anthrax, Metallica, Megadeth, & others The band has experimented with Black Metal, Death Metal, but has always returned to its thrash roots

Souls of Black continued Released 1990 on Atlantic/Megaforce Records – Souls of Black (album) Their 4 th album Not as commercially successful as their previous albums Last album to feature guitarist Skolnick until 2008 Video

Metallica

One Metallica Arguably, the most influential, most successful metal band of all time Formed in LA in 1981, relocated to San Francisco 1982 Founded by guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield & drummer Lars Ulrich Guitarist Kirk Hammett replaced Dave Mustaine in 1983 Bassist Cliff Burton was killed in a bus accident in 1987.Cliff Burton – Jason Newsted replaced him until 2001 – Robert Trujillo (ex-Suicidal & Ozzy) is currently filling that role

One continued From their 4 th studio album …And Justice for All, released 1989 on Elektra Records This was the band’s first video, prior to this they had built their audience through touring & word of mouth This is the first album to feature new bassist Jason Newsted Video

Pantera

Cowboys From Hell Pantera Formed 1981 in Arlington, TX by brothers “Dimebag” Darrell (guitar) & Vinnie Paul (drums) Started as a glam band that evolved into “Groove” metal/Thrashglam band Heavily influenced by Metallica, Megadeth, Van Halen, & Ozzy Vocalist Phil Anselmo brought hardcore/punk influences Darrell was killed on stage in 2004 by a deranged fan

CFH continued Released 1990 on Atco Records – Cowboys from Hell (album) This album cements Pantera’s move into the thrash metal genre On subsequent albums, the band would employ more extreme sounds/techniques in an effort to be…heavier Video

After Thoughts There were many more bands that crossed into & out of the thrash genre Some started their lives as pop/hair bands, (Skid Row, for example)Skid Rowexample Others left the 80s thrash scene to re-start their careers as Seattle “grunge bands…”grunge bands… And, of course, Metallica became one of the most successful bands of the 1990s…until they got weird, cut their hair & let Kirk write songssuccessfulKirk write songs