Week One: Thrash Metal Picks!

(Photo credits: http://www.maniacsoul.deviantart.com)

Greetings, Darklings! I get asked a lot of music related questions thus I thought that it would be a relatively snazzy idea to spice things up a little and make an introductory list every once in a while primarily based around my top five selected bands from various sub-genres of Metal such as Black, Drone, Speed, Death, Doom, Symphonic, etc. I'll make this a series and cover other genres such as Classic Rock, Progressive Rock, New Wave, etc and individual artists since I'm excessively optimistic when it comes to the music side of the spectrum. I'm not going to lie, trying to narrow this list down to five bands was pretty brutal and it's not in any specific order but if you would like to see a more extensive list then don't hesitate to ask and I'll gladly fire it at you! 

1.

Nuclear Assault are a Crossover Thrash band from New York City. They were formed in 1985 by Dan Lilker and John Connelly (both involved with early Anthrax). The current line-up consists of John Connelly (Guitarist and Lead Vocalist), Erik Burke (Guitarist and Backing Vocalist), Dan Lilker (Bassist and Vocalist) and Glenn Evans (Drummer). In terms of albums, they have released Handle With Care, Game Over, Survive, Out of Order, Something Wicked, Third World Genocide, Alive Again, Live at the Hammersmith Odeon and Assault & Battery as well as two EPs, The Plague and Brain Death. My favourite album would most definitely be Survive but Game Over comes in at a close second! 

2.  

Violator are a Thrash band from Brasil. Pedro Arcanjo, Pedro Agusto and David Araya formed the band in 2002. The current line-up consists of Pedro Arcanjo (Bassist/Vocalist), Pedro Agusto (Guitarist), Márcio Cambito (Guitarist) and David Araya (Drummer). In terms of albums, they have released Scenarios of Brutality, Annihilation Process, Thrashing The Tyrants and Chemical Assault. They released a demo called Killer Instinct and an EP called Violent Mosh. They've also released three split LPs with the likes of Bywar, Temenon, Revival, etc. My favourite album would probably have to be Chemical Assault.

3.

Municipal Waste are a Crossover Thrash band from Richmond, Virginia. They formed in 2001 and are heavily influenced by the likes of Nuclear Assault, Suicidal Tendencies, etc. The current line-up consists of Tony Foresta (Vocalist), Ryan Waste (Guitarist), Land Phil (Bassist) and Dave Witte (Drummer). In terms of albums, they have released Waste 'Em All, Hazardous Mutation, The Art of Partying, Massive Aggressive and The Fatal Feast as well as three EPs; Municipal Waste, Scion Presents: Municipal Waste and Garbage Pack. My favourite album is between The Art of Partying and The Fatal Feast. Municipal Waste sesh, all day, everyday. 

4.

Lost Society are a Thrash band from Jyväskylä, Finland. Samy Elbanna formed the band in 2010. The current-line up consists of Samy Elbanna (Guitarist and Vocalist), Arttu Lesonen (Guitarist), Mirko Lehtinen (Bassist) and Ossi Paananen (Drummer). In terms of albums, they have released Terror Hungry and Fast Loud Death which was released earlier last year! They're both smashing albums and hopefully, they continue to progress. 

5.

Slayer are an American Thrash band from Huntington Park, California. Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King formed the band in 1981. Slayer are by far one of the most popularised Thrash bands and that's primarily to do with the fact that they are part of the "Big Four" thus have heavily influenced numerous bands who are involved with the metal scene. The current line-up consists of Tom Araya (Bassist and Vocalist), Kerry King (Guitarist), Paul Bostaph (Drummer) and Gary Holt (Guitarist). In terms of albums, they have released Show No Mercy, Hell Awaits, Reign In Blood, South of Heaven, Seasons In The Abyss, Divine Intervention, Diabolus In Musica, God Hates Us All, Christ Illusion, World Painted Blood and one which has still to be announced. They also released two EPs, Haunting The Chapel and Eternal Pyre. However, my favourite album would have to be between Hell Awaits and Reign In Blood. 

Are you a fan of any of these bands? Have you seen any of them live? Which bands would you personally include in this list?