Editing Thrash metal

{{Short description|Subgenre of heavy metal}}
{{Original research|date=March 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox music genre
| name              = Thrash metal
| stylistic_origins = *[[New wave of British heavy metal|NWOBHM]]
*[[speed metal]]
*[[hardcore punk]]<!--Please do not add genres unless there is a consensus on the talk page. Any changes without explanation or discussion WILL be reverted-->
| cultural_origins  = {{hlist|Early 1980s|United States|Germany|United Kingdom|Latin America}}
| derivatives       = {{hlist|[[Beatdown hardcore]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sfetcu |first1=Nicolae |title=American Music |page=352 |quote=Essentially the "heavy hardcore" sound is an amalgamation of deep, hoarse vocals (though rarely as deep or guttural as death metal), downtuned guitars, thrashy drum rhythms inspired directly from earlier hardcore bands, and slow, staccato low-end musical breaks, known colloquially as "breakdowns". Some bands tend to focus more on breakdowns than others (such as New Jersey's Redline), and others tend not to rely on them too much, letting the overall songwriting and feel drive the music (Troy, New York's Stigmata is a prime example). Elements such as thrash metal and hip hop are also common. Sworn Enemy and Boxcutter are two current respective examples of such.}}</ref>|[[black metal]]|[[death metal]]|[[groove metal]]|[[tough guy hardcore]]<ref name=Radio>{{cite web |url=http://news.radio.com/2013/10/21/5-under-the-radar-metal-bands-that-are-pushing-boundaries/ |title=5 Under the Radar Metal Bands That Are Pushing Boundaries |website=Radio.com |date=October 21, 2013 |access-date=November 11, 2017 |archive-date=March 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330070834/http://news.radio.com/2013/10/21/5-under-the-radar-metal-bands-that-are-pushing-boundaries/ |url-status=live |quote=Tough guy hardcore has been around as long as I have. An impressive act here and there have combined circle pits and gang vocals with elements of Metallica-type thrash, but none in recent years have pushed that hybrid to the brink quite like Dallas, Texas’ Power Trip.}}</ref>}}
| subgenres         = 
| subgenrelist      = 
| fusiongenres      = * [[Blackened thrash metal]]
* [[crossover thrash]]
* [[deathrash]]
* [[funk metal]]<ref name="primusbook">{{cite book|last1=Prato|first1=Greg|title=Primus, Over the Electric Grapevine: Insight into Primus and the World of Les Claypool|date=16 September 2014|publisher=Akashic Books|isbn=978-1-61775-322-0}}</ref>
* [[metalcore]]
| regional_scenes   = * [[Australian thrash metal|Australia]]
* [[Brazilian thrash metal|Brazil]]
* [[Music of California#Heavy metal|California]]
* [[Rock music of Canada#1980s|Canada]]
* [[Teutonic thrash metal|Germany]]
* [[Music of New York City#Heavy metal|New York]]
* [[Polish thrash metal|Poland]]
* [[British heavy metal|United Kingdom]]
| local_scenes      = * [[Music of Los Angeles#1980s|Los Angeles]]
* [[Bay Area thrash metal|San Francisco Bay Area]]
| other_topics      = * [[Extreme metal]]
* [[New Wave of American Heavy Metal|NWOAHM]]
* [[thrashcore]]
* ''[[Thrasher (magazine)|Thrasher]]''
| footnotes         = 
| current_year      = 
}}

'''Thrash metal''' (or simply '''thrash''') is an [[Extreme metal|extreme]] subgenre of [[heavy metal music]] characterized by its overall aggression and fast tempo.<ref name="Kahn-Harris">Kahn-Harris, Keith, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'', pp. 2–3, 9. Oxford: Berg, 2007, {{ISBN|1-84520-399-2}}.</ref> The songs usually use fast percussive beats and low-register guitar [[riffs]], overlaid with [[Shred guitar|shredding]]-style lead guitar work. 

The genre emerged in the early 1980s as musicians began fusing the double bass drumming and complex guitar stylings of the [[new wave of British heavy metal]] (NWOBHM) with the speed and aggression of [[hardcore punk]] and the technicality of [[progressive rock]].<ref name="prog">{{cite web |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/steve_hackett_recalls_his_reaction_to_thrash_and_death_metal_of_the_80s.html |title=Steve Hackett Recalls His Reaction to Thrash and Death Metal of the '80s |work=[[Ultimate Guitar]] |last=Prato |first=Greg |date=December 19, 2023 |access-date=March 23, 2024}}</ref><ref name="metallerium">{{cite web |url=https://www.metallerium.com/technical-thrash-metal-historia-bandas-albumes-y-mas |title=Technical Thrash Metal: Historia, Bandas, álbumes y más |website=metallerium.com |date=January 27, 2023 |access-date=March 23, 2024  |language=es}}</ref><ref name="MusicRadar">{{cite web|last=McIver|first=Joel|title=A History of Thrash Metal|url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/a-history-of-thrash-metal-249162/|work=[[Total Guitar]]|publisher=[[MusicRadar]]|date=29 April 2010|access-date=17 June 2014|archive-date=25 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225105412/http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/a-history-of-thrash-metal-249162/|url-status=live}}</ref> Philosophically, thrash metal developed as a backlash against both the [[conservatism]] of the [[Reagan era]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Farrar|first=Justin|title=The 30 Greatest Thrash Bands of All Time|url=https://www.spin.com/2017/12/the-30-greatest-thrash-bands-of-all-time/|publisher=Spin Magazine|date=26 December 2017|access-date=28 February 2020|archive-date=20 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720165807/https://www.spin.com/2017/12/the-30-greatest-thrash-bands-of-all-time/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the much more moderate, [[Pop music|pop]]-influenced, and widely accessible heavy metal subgenre of [[glam metal]] which also developed concurrently in the 1980s.{{sfn|Weinstein|2000|p=48}} Derived genres include [[crossover thrash]], a fusion of thrash metal and hardcore punk.

The early thrash metal movement revolved around independent record labels, including [[Megaforce Records|Megaforce]], [[Metal Blade Records|Metal Blade]], [[Combat Records|Combat]], [[Roadrunner Records|Roadrunner]], and [[Noise Records|Noise]], and the underground [[tape trading]] industry in both Europe and North America. The genre was commercially successful from approximately 1985 through 1991, bringing prominence to [[Metallica]], [[Slayer]], [[Megadeth]], and [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]], all grouped together as the "Big Four" of U.S. thrash metal.<ref name="MusicRadar"/><ref name="goldminemag">{{cite news|url=https://www.goldminemag.com/articles/the-20-albums-that-invented-thrash|title=The 20 Albums That Invented...Thrash|newspaper=Goldmine Magazine: Record Collector & Music Memorabilia |date=4 May 2022|publisher=[[Goldmine (magazine)|Goldminemag.com]]|access-date=December 6, 2022|archive-date=29 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129194402/https://www.goldminemag.com/articles/the-20-albums-that-invented-thrash|url-status=live}}</ref> Other bands, such as [[Overkill (band)|Overkill]], [[Metal Church]], [[Nuclear Assault]], [[Flotsam and Jetsam (band)|Flotsam and Jetsam]], and [[Bay Area thrash metal|Bay Area]] acts [[Exodus (band)|Exodus]], [[Testament (band)|Testament]] and [[Death Angel]], never achieved the same level of success as the "Big Four" but had also developed a strong following in the metal community, through [[MTV]]'s ''[[Headbangers Ball]]'' or otherwise.<ref name="MusicRadar"/><ref name="goldminemag"/><ref name=share-the-stage/><ref name="MTV HBB">{{Cite web|title=Headbangers Ball- The Unofficial Tribute Site - Episode Database|url=https://www.headbangersballunofficialtributesite.com/episode-database|access-date=26 September 2021|website=headbangersballunofficialtributesite.com|archive-date=29 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529021919/https://www.headbangersballunofficialtributesite.com/episode-database|url-status=live}}</ref> Some of the most popular international thrash metal bands from this era were Brazil's [[Sepultura]], Canada's [[Voivod (band)|Voivod]] and [[Annihilator (band)|Annihilator]], Switzerland's [[Coroner (band)|Coroner]], England's [[Onslaught (band)|Onslaught]], and the genre's German "[[Teutonic thrash metal|Big Four]]": [[Kreator]], [[Destruction (band)|Destruction]], [[Sodom (band)|Sodom]], and [[Tankard (band)|Tankard]].<ref name="MusicRadar"/><ref name="goldminemag"/><ref name="MTV HBB"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/sodom-kreator-destruction-and-tankard-the-rise-of-germanys-own-big-four|title=Sodom, Kreator, Destruction and Tankard: the untold story of German thrash's Big Four|website=[[Metal Hammer|loudersound.com]]|date=5 April 2017|access-date=16 February 2022|archive-date=17 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217155404/https://www.loudersound.com/features/sodom-kreator-destruction-and-tankard-the-rise-of-germanys-own-big-four|url-status=live}}</ref>

The thrash metal genre had declined in popularity by the mid-1990s, due to the commercial success of numerous genres such as [[alternative rock]], [[grunge]], and later [[pop-punk]] and [[nu metal]]. In response, some bands either disbanded or moved away from their thrash metal roots and more towards [[groove metal]] or [[alternative metal]]. The genre has seen a resurgence in popularity since the 2000s, with the arrival of various bands such as [[Bonded by Blood (band)|Bonded by Blood]], [[Evile]], [[Hatchet (band)|Hatchet]], [[Havok (band)|Havok]], [[Lamb of God (band)|Lamb of God]], [[Municipal Waste (band)|Municipal Waste]], and [[Warbringer]], who have all been credited for leading the so-called "thrash metal revival" scene.<ref name="hatchet">{{cite web|url=https://skullsnbones.com/hatchet-fear-beyond-lunacy-review/|title=Hatchet: "Fear Beyond Lunacy" Album Review by Jason Z!|website=skullsnbones.com|date=28 October 2015|access-date=4 January 2022|archive-date=3 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803234246/https://skullsnbones.com/hatchet-fear-beyond-lunacy-review/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="havok">{{cite web|url=https://thisisnotascene.com/2013/havok-unnatural-selection/|title=Havok - Unnatural Selection|website=thisisnotascene.com|access-date=4 January 2022|archive-date=11 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911023537/https://thisisnotascene.com/2013/havok-unnatural-selection/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="metalassault">{{cite web|url=http://metalassault.com/gig_reviews/2017/01/16/new-extremes-deafheaven-play-sold-out-la-show-with-health-skeletal-remains/|title=New Extremes: Deafheaven Play Sold-Out LA Show with Health, Skeletal Remains|website=metalassault.com|date=16 January 2017|access-date=4 January 2022|archive-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119212453/http://metalassault.com/gig_reviews/2017/01/16/new-extremes-deafheaven-play-sold-out-la-show-with-health-skeletal-remains/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="lamb of god">{{cite web | url=https://metalinjection.net/news/dave-ellefson-says-exodus-invented-thrash-lamb-of-god-helped-reset-it-in-the-2000s | title=DAVE ELLEFSON Says EXODUS Invented Thrash, LAMB OF GOD Helped Reset It in the 2000s | date=22 February 2023 }}</ref>

== Characteristics ==
[[File:Metallica London 2008-09-15 Kirk and James.jpg|thumb|[[Kirk Hammett]] and [[James Hetfield]] of [[Metallica]] (pictured in 2008). Metallica's early work is regarded as essential to the development of the thrash metal genre in the 1980s.]]

Thrash metal generally features fast [[tempos]], low-register, complex guitar [[riffs]], high-register guitar [[guitar solo|solos]], and [[double bass drumming]].<ref name="Bowar">{{cite web|first=Chad|last=Bowar|url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/heavymetal101/a/101_thrash.htm|title=What Is Thrash Metal?|publisher=[[About.com]]|access-date=28 January 2014|archive-date=21 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120221004445/http://heavymetal.about.com/od/heavymetal101/a/101_thrash.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The rhythm guitar parts are played with heavy distortion, [[power chords]] and often [[palm mute]]d to create a tighter and more precise sound.{{sfn|Pillsbury|2006|p=20}} Vocally, thrash metal can employ anything from melodic singing to shouted or screamed vocals. Most guitar solos are played at high speed and technically demanding, as they are usually characterized by [[Shred guitar|shredding]], and use advanced techniques such as [[sweep picking]], [[Legato|legato phrasing]], [[alternate picking]], [[tremolo picking]], [[string skipping]], and [[Tapping|two-hand tapping]]. 

[[David Ellefson]], the original bassist of [[Megadeth]], described thrash metal as "a combination of the attitude from punk rock but the riffs and complexities of traditional metal."<ref>{{cite web |author1=The Scorpion |title=SCORPION Q+A |url=https://megadeth.com/scorpion-qa/2012/439648/ |website=Megadeth.com |access-date=9 December 2022 |date=8 January 2012 |quote=Hello Adam, I went to David Ellefson with your questions. Here is what he had to say about it.  Thrash is a combination of the attitude from punk rock but the riffs and complexities of traditional metal. |archive-date=9 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209162848/https://megadeth.com/scorpion-qa/2012/439648/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On the origins of thrash metal, [[Dan Lilker]] (bassist and co-founding member of [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]], [[Stormtroopers of Death|S.O.D.]] and [[Nuclear Assault]]) recalls: "Thrash was just what they called 'faster hardcore,' because you literally thrashed around when you were either playing it or reacting to it. And thrash metal was born because it was influenced by thrash hardcore, and they just thought it was more metal, so they said, 'Okay, this is thrash metal.'"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://metalinjection.net/news/former-anthrax-bassist-dan-lilker-explains-origin-of-thrash-metal-term |title=Former ANTHRAX Bassist DAN LILKER Explains Origin Of Thrash Metal Term |work=[[Metal Injection]] |last=Barrios |first=Joel |date=November 27, 2024 |access-date=November 27, 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Anthrax Rockavaria 2016 (12 von 12).jpg|thumb|right|200px|New York band [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]] was among the earliest and most successful thrash acts.]]

The guitar riffs often use [[chromatic scale]]s and emphasize the tritone and diminished intervals, instead of using conventional single-scale-based riffing. For example, the intro riff of [[Metallica]]'s "[[Master of Puppets (song)|Master of Puppets]]" (the title track of the [[Master of Puppets|namesake album]]) is a chromatic descent, followed by a chromatic ascent based on the [[tritone]].

Speed, pacing, and time changes also define thrash metal. Thrash tends to have an accelerating feel which may be due in large part to its aggressive drumming style. For example, drummers often use two bass drums, or a double-bass pedal to create a relentless, driving beat. Cymbal stops/[[Cymbal choke|chokes]] are often used to transition from one riff to another or to precede an acceleration in tempo. Some common characteristics of the genre are fast guitar riffs with aggressive picking styles and fast guitar solos, and extensive use of two bass drums as opposed to the conventional use of only one, typical of most rock music.

To keep up with the other instruments, many bassists use a [[plectrum]] (pick). However, some prominent thrash metal bassists have [[Fingerstyle guitar|used their fingers]], such as [[Frank Bello]], [[Greg Christian]], [[Steve Di Giorgio]], [[Robert Trujillo]], and [[Cliff Burton]]. Several bassists use a [[fuzz bass|distorted bass tone]], an approach popularized by Burton and [[Motörhead]]'s [[Lemmy]]. Lyrical themes in thrash metal include warfare, corruption, injustice, murder, suicide, isolation, alienation, addiction, and other maladies that afflict the individual and society. In addition, politics, particularly pessimism and dissatisfaction towards politics, are common themes among thrash metal bands. Humor and irony can occasionally be found (Anthrax for example), but they are limited, and are an exception rather than a rule.<ref>{{cite web|last=Anthony|first=David|title=Anthrax's ode to Judge Dredd became thrash metal's missing link|url=http://www.avclub.com/article/anthraxs-ode-judge-dredd-became-thrash-metals-miss-207361|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=1 August 2014|access-date=26 August 2014|archive-date=27 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827074726/http://www.avclub.com/article/anthraxs-ode-judge-dredd-became-thrash-metals-miss-207361|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Weinstein|2000|p=50-51}}

==Etymology==
The term "thrash" originated as a way of referring to hardcore punk, seen on the 1982 hardcore compilation  ''[[New York Thrash]]''.<ref name="Dome, 2024">{{cite web |last1=Dome |first1=Malcolm |title="We took influences from the New York hardcore scene. Our stuff was faster than in the Bay Area": the 100mph story of East Coast thrash |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/we-took-influences-from-the-new-york-hardcore-scene-our-stuff-was-faster-than-in-the-bay-area-the-100mph-story-of-east-coast-thrash |website=[[Metal Hammer]] |date=April 20, 2024 |access-date=23 September 2024}}</ref> By 1983, the term "thrash metal" had entered colloquial use as a way to denote the fusion of hardcore and metal.<ref name="Zoris, 2025">{{cite web |last1=Zoris |first1=Alexandros |title=HEAVY METAL SUBGENRES ΚΑΤΑ ΤΗΝ ΔΕΚΑΕΤΙΑ ΤΟΥ '80 – ΟΡΟΛΟΓΙΑ, ΑΠΑΡΧΕΣ, ΝΟΗΜΑΤΟΔΟΤΗΣΗ ΚΑΙ ΜΕΤΕΠΕΙΤΑ ΕΞΕΛΙΞΗ - ΜΕΡΟΣ 1ο |work=Metalzone |date=6 March 2025 |url=https://metalzone.gr/articles/heavy-metal-subgenres-%CE%BA%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%B1-%CF%84%CE%B7%CE%BD-%CE%B4%CE%B5%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%B5%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85-%E2%80%9880-%E2%80%93-%CE%BF%CF%81%CE%BF%CE%BB%CE%BF%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CE%B1%CF%80%CE%B1%CF%81%CF%87%CE%B5%CF%83-%CE%BD%CE%BF%CE%B7%CE%BC%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%BF%CE%B4%CE%BF%CF%84%CE%B7%CF%83%CE%B7-%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%B9 |access-date=7 March 2025}}</ref> The 1983 debut issue of ''[[Metal Forces]]'' used the term to describe the bands on the first ''[[Metal Massacre]]'' and [[Mike Varney]]'s first three ''U.S. Metal'' compilation albums.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Beaman |first1=Billy|title=LA's hottest unsigned rock bands |journal=[[Metal Forces]] |date=1983 |issue=1 |page=23 |url=https://archive.org/details/mnnjkll/ |access-date=10 March 2025 |quote=So far we've had the Metal Massacre albums and Mike Varney's U.S. Metals I, II, and III. These albums however, lean more towards the thrash metal that is becoming popular over there.}}</ref> Later the same year, the thirteenth issue of ''Metal Mania'' used the term in an article, saying it was used synonymously with "heavy thrash" and "punk metal", going on to say acts in the genre included [[Tank (band)|Tank]], [[Metallica]], [[MDC (band)|MDC]], [[GBH (band)|GBH]], [[Discharge (band)|Discharge]] and [[Crucifix (band)|Crucifix]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lawrence|first1=Rozz|journal=Metal Mania |date=1983 |volume=13 |page=9 |title=Punk/Metal |url=https://thecorroseum.org/fanzines/metal_mania-13.php |access-date=10 March 2025}}</ref> The term is sometimes incorrectly credited to a 1984 ''[[Kerrang!]]'' magazine article by journalist [[Malcolm Dome]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/music-journalist-malcolm-dome-dead-at-66 |title=Music journalist Malcolm Dome dead at 66 |work=Louder Sound |date=November 2021 |access-date=1 November 2021 |archive-date=1 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101120107/https://www.loudersound.com/news/music-journalist-malcolm-dome-dead-at-66 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Dome, 2024" /> who used the term in reference to the song "Metal Thrashing Mad" by [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Dome|first=Malcolm|author-link=Malcolm Dome|journal=[[Kerrang!]]|title=Anthrax: Fistful Of Metal|volume=62|publisher=Spotlight Publications Ltd.|date=23 February 1984|location=London, UK|page=8}}</ref>

Around 1984, the most dominant name for what is now defined as thrash metal was "power metal", a name which eventually evolved to refer to the separate [[power metal]] genre. Similarly, for much of the 1980s, the names "thrash metal" and "speed metal" were generally used synonymously. The separate [[speed metal]] genre was defined retrospectively in the 1990s, to refer to 1980s group who bridged the gap between thrash metal and power metal.<ref name="Zoris, 2025" />

== History ==
=== Roots (1970s–early 1980s) ===
[[File:Venom live at hellfest.jpg|thumb|right|[[Venom (band)|Venom]]'s early work is considered a major influence on thrash metal.]]
The term "proto-thrash" has been used to describe bands as having elements of [[speed metal]] or thrash metal before those genres came to prominence in the early-to-mid-1980s. [[Deep Purple]]'s 1970 album ''[[Deep Purple in Rock]]'' is perhaps the earliest proto-thrash/speed metal album, as music journalist [[Martin Popoff]] noted, "It's really about the discipline and classical haughtiness of this record, as well as 'Hard Lovin' Man' which is a great contender for first proto-thrash song ever."<ref name="goldminemag"/> [[Queen (band)|Queen]]'s 1974 song "[[Stone Cold Crazy]]" and [[Black Sabbath]]'s "[[Symptom of the Universe (song)|Symptom of the Universe]]", released the following year, have also been cited as examples of proto-thrash/speed metal; the latter of which was a direct inspiration for [[Diamond Head (English band)|Diamond Head]]'s pioneering song "[[Am I Evil?]]".<ref>{{cite web|first= Chris |last= Jones |title= Queen Sheer Heart Attack Review |publisher= [[BBC Music]] |date= 7 June 2007 |access-date= 25 May 2011 |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/xxhj}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|title=Black Sabbath: Symptom of the Universe|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/symptom-of-the-universe-the-original-black-sabbath-1970-1978-mw0000662212|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=27 August 2014|archive-date=28 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131028132634/http://www.allmusic.com/album/symptom-of-the-universe-the-original-black-sabbath-1970-1978-mw0000662212|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[new wave of British heavy metal]] (NWOBHM) bands emerging from Britain in the late 1970s further influenced the development of early thrash. The early work of artists such as Diamond Head, [[Iron Maiden]], [[Venom (band)|Venom]], [[Motörhead]], [[Tygers of Pan Tang]], [[Raven (British band)|Raven]], [[Saxon (band)|Saxon]] and [[Angel Witch]], among others, introduced the fast-paced and intricate musicianship that became core aspects of thrash. [[Phil Taylor (musician)|Phil Taylor]]'s double-bass drumming featured in Motörhead's 1979 song "[[Overkill (Motörhead song)|Overkill]]" has been acknowledged by many thrash drummers, most notably [[Lars Ulrich]], as a primary influence on their playing. Thrash metal bands have also taken inspiration from [[Judas Priest]], with [[Slayer]] guitarist [[Kerry King]] saying that, "There would be no Slayer without Priest."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/slayer-kerry-king-judas-priest-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-1297500/ |title=Slayer's Kerry King on Why Judas Priest Matter |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |last=Grow |first=Kory |date=March 10, 2022 |access-date=March 23, 2024}}</ref> [[Metal Blade Records]] executive [[Brian Slagel]] played a key role in bringing the NWOBHM to a larger audience, as he was responsible for discovering both [[Metallica]] and Slayer and producing their earliest studio recordings.

Greg Prato of [[Ultimate Guitar]] notes, "Although the thrash movement seemed to have much more in common with punk than prog fashion-wise (leather jackets vs. capes), musically, there were certainly moments when thrash leaned more towards the [[progressive rock|prog]] side of things."<ref name="prog"/> Canadian progressive rock band [[Rush (band)|Rush]] has been cited a formative influence on the thrash metal movement and the birth of its subgenre technical thrash metal (or "[[progressive metal|progressive thrash metal]]"), which is known for combining traditional thrash metal with elements of [[progressive music|progressive]], [[jazz fusion|jazz]] or [[classical music]].<ref name="prog"/><ref name="metallerium"/> In a 2013 interview with ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', Anthrax drummer [[Charlie Benante]] said: "When I was first learning to play drums, I would strap on my headphones, play along with [Rush's live album ''[[All the World's a Stage (album)|All the World's a Stage]]''] and be transformed. I remember talking with [[Cliff Burton|Cliff]] and [[Kirk Hammett|Kirk]] back when we first met, and we all agreed how much of an influence Rush was on all of us."<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Anthrax Pay Tribute to Rush With 'Anthem' – Song Premiere |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=January 21, 2013 |access-date=October 31, 2024 |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/anthrax-pay-tribute-to-rush-with-anthem-song-premiere/}}</ref>

The thrash metal genre is also strongly influenced by [[punk rock]], drawing inspiration from sources ranging from traditional punk bands from the 1970s, including the [[New York Dolls]], the [[Ramones]], the [[Sex Pistols]] and the [[Dead Boys]],<ref name="thrashpionners">{{cite web|first=Lauryn |last=Schaffner |title=15 Bands Considered Pioneers of Thrash Metal |publisher=[[Loudwire]] |date=April 10, 2020 |access-date=May 9, 2024 |url=https://loudwire.com/bands-pioneered-thrash-metal/}}</ref> to late 1970s/early 1980s [[hardcore punk]] bands [[Discharge (band)|Discharge]],<ref name="ReferenceA">Knowles, Christopher.''The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll.'' Cleis Press, 2010</ref> [[GBH (band)|GBH]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/gbh_announce_first_us_tour_in_five_years.html|title=GBH Announce First US Tour in Five Years|publisher=[[Ultimate Guitar]]|access-date=May 9, 2024}}</ref> [[Black Flag (band)|Black Flag]],<ref>{{cite web|first=Tim |last=Stegall |title=11 bands and genres that prove Black Flag are a continued influence |publisher=[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]] |date=November 24, 2021 |access-date=May 9, 2024 |url=https://www.altpress.com/bands-influenced-by-black-flag-sonic-youth-slayer/}}</ref> the [[Misfits (band)|Misfits]], the [[Dead Kennedys]], and [[Bad Brains]].<ref name="thrashpionners"/> The Ramones' 1976 [[Ramones (album)|self-titled debut album]] in particular has been noted as a key influence on the genre, due to its sound, which introduced the three-chord thrash style of guitar.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Ramones – Why they were shit and how they ruined punk |website=getintothis.co.uk |date=November 24, 2015 |access-date=May 9, 2024 |url=https://www.getintothis.co.uk/2015/11/ramones-shit-ruined-punk/}}</ref> [[Void (band)|Void]] has been credited as one of the earliest examples of hardcore/heavy metal crossover, whose chaotic musical approach is often cited as particularly influential.<ref>{{cite news|last=Burton|first=Brent|url=http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/41541/classic-dc-hardcore-bands-faith-and-void-reissues-empty-the/|title=Two classic D.C. hardcore bands empty their vaults|newspaper=[[Washington City Paper]]|date=30 August 2011|access-date=11 August 2012|archive-date=27 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927212438/http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/41541/classic-dc-hardcore-bands-faith-and-void-reissues-empty-the/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Their 1982 [[Faith / Void Split|split LP]] with fellow Washington band [[The Faith (American band)|The Faith]] showed both bands exhibiting quick, fiery, high-speed punk rock. It has been argued that those recordings laid the foundation for early thrash metal, at least in terms of selected tempos,<ref>{{cite web|first=Ned|last=Raggett|title=The Faith/Void Split LP|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-faith-void-split-lp-mw0000233256|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=11 August 2012|archive-date=15 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715025330/http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-faith-void-split-lp-mw0000233256|url-status=live}}</ref> and that thrash is essentially hardcore punk with the technical proficiency missing from that genre. The crossover with hardcore punk has also been cited as important influence on thrash, especially the English hardcore punk band Discharge, whose "influence on heavy metal is incalculable and metal superstars such as Metallica, Anthrax, [[Machine Head (band)|Machine Head]], [[Sepultura]], [[Soulfly]], [[Prong (band)|Prong]] and [[Arch Enemy (band)|Arch Enemy]] have covered Discharge's songs in tribute."<ref name="ReferenceA"/> The eponymous [[Dirty Rotten LP|debut]] [[Suicidal Tendencies (album)|albums]] by [[Dirty Rotten Imbeciles|D.R.I.]] and [[Suicidal Tendencies]], both released in 1983, have been credited for paving the way for [[thrashcore]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ox-fanzine.de/review/dri-dirty-rotten-lp-73513|title=Review - DRI - Dirty Rotten LP - Issue #92 - Ox Fanzine|website=ox-fanzine.de|access-date=May 9, 2024|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Tim |last=Jones |title=Thrash Under Pressure: Suicidal Tendencies |website=allabouttherock.co.uk |date=April 5, 2016 |access-date=May 9, 2024 |url=https://allabouttherock.co.uk/thrash-pressure-suicidal-tendencies/}}</ref>

In Latin America, this genre also gained a lot of strength, and its creation is also attributed to it, since it began to gain popularity due to the dictatorships that many countries faced at that time, with bands like [[V8 (Argentine band)|V8]] (1979) with their debut albums ''Demo 1982'' or ''[[Luchando por el Metal|Luchando por el metal]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|last=Chaves|first=Sebastian|date=1 July 2020|title=Los 40 años de metal argentino: la historia detrás de la génesis de V8 y la fundación del heavy metal en el país|work=La Nacion|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/espectaculos/los-40-anos-metal-argentino-origenes-v8-nid2387742/|access-date=16 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201348/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/espectaculos/los-40-anos-metal-argentino-origenes-v8-nid2387742/|url-status=live}}</ref> from [[Argentina]], [[Transmetal (band)|Transmetal]] (1987) from [[Mexico]], also the band [[Massakre (band)|Massakre]] (1985) in [[Chile]].
[[File:V8 - Luchando por el metal.png|thumb|Album cover ''[[Luchando por el Metal]]'', by the Argentinian band [[V8 (Argentine band)|V8]], which was formed in 1979]]
In Europe, the earliest band of the emerging thrash movement was Venom from [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], formed in 1978. Their 1982 album ''[[Black Metal (Venom album)|Black Metal]]'' has been cited as a major influence on many subsequent genres and bands in the extreme metal world, such as [[Bathory (band)|Bathory]], [[Hellhammer]], Slayer, and [[Mayhem (band)|Mayhem]]. The European scene was almost exclusively influenced by the most aggressive music Germany and England were producing at the time. British bands such as [[Tank (band)|Tank]] and [[Raven (band)|Raven]], along with German bands [[Accept (band)|Accept]] (whose 1982 song "[[Fast as a Shark]]" is often credited as one of the first-ever thrash/speed metal songs)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/accepts-wolf-hoffmann-we-wrote-the-first-speed-metal-song-ever/|title=ACCEPT's WOLF HOFFMANN: 'We Wrote The First Speed Metal Song Ever'|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=10 January 2015|access-date=22 July 2021|archive-date=22 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722195253/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/accepts-wolf-hoffmann-we-wrote-the-first-speed-metal-song-ever/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/accepts-wolf-hoffmann-how-we-wrote-fast-as-a-shark/|title=ACCEPT's WOLF HOFFMANN: How We Wrote 'Fast As A Shark'|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=17 December 2018|access-date=22 July 2021|archive-date=22 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722195252/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/accepts-wolf-hoffmann-how-we-wrote-fast-as-a-shark/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="thrashpioneers">{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/10-speed-metal-songs-released-before-thrash/|title=10 Pioneering Speed Metal Songs Released Before Thrash's Birth|website=[[Loudwire]]|date=25 April 2018|access-date=22 July 2021|archive-date=9 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609065054/https://loudwire.com/10-speed-metal-songs-released-before-thrash/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Living Death (band)|Living Death]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Living Death Biography, Songs, & Albums |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/living-death-mn0000719562/biography |access-date=3 August 2022 |website=AllMusic |quote=One of Germany's -- indeed, the world's -- pioneering thrash metal bands ... |archive-date=3 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803231644/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/living-death-mn0000719562/biography |url-status=live }}</ref> motivated musicians from central Europe to start bands of their own, eventually producing groups such as [[Sodom (band)|Sodom]], [[Kreator]], and [[Destruction (band)|Destruction]] from Germany, as well as Switzerland's [[Celtic Frost]] (formed by two-thirds of [[Hellhammer]]), [[Coroner (band)|Coroner]] and Carrion (who later became [[Poltergeist (band)|Poltergeist]]) and Denmark's [[Artillery (band)|Artillery]].

===Thrash metal in the 1980s===
====Birth and underground expansion (1980–1983)====
Critics argue over who can be thought of as the first thrash metal band to exist. Most credit either British band [[Venom (band)|Venom]] or the genre's so-called "Big Four": [[Metallica]], [[Slayer]], [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]], and [[Megadeth]], with commentators crediting Venom as the first thrash metal band and others tending to favor the "Big Four", though many give equal credit to all those five bands.<ref name="MusicRadar"/><ref name="thrashpioneers"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Lelievre|first=Benoit|url=https://www.deadendfollies.com/blog/metal-outsiders-journey-thrash-metal-and-the-true-birth-of-evil|title=A Subjective History of Thrash Metal|website=deadendfollies.com|access-date=May 14, 2025}}</ref><ref name="tidal">{{cite web|last=Christe|first=Ian|url=https://tidal.com/magazine/article/thrash-metal-year-zero/1-90573|title=1983: Thrash Year's Zero|website=tidal.com|access-date=May 14, 2025}}</ref> The origins of thrash metal have also been traced to [[San Francisco Bay Area]] band [[Exodus (band)|Exodus]], who formed in 1979 and is the fifth band in what is sometimes considered the "Big Five".<ref name="tidal"/> The band released its first demo in 1982, simply titled ''Demo 1982'', which was widely circulated in the tape trading community and is credited for paving the way for the 1980s [[Bay Area thrash metal]] scene.<ref name="tidal"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-story-behind-exodus-bonded-by-blood|title=The story behind Exodus' Bonded By Blood|website=loudersound.com|access-date=May 14, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://lambgoat.com/news/11024/exodus-re-records-bonded-by-blood/|title=Exodus Re-re-records 'Bonded By Blood'|website=lambgoat.com|access-date=May 14, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Blum|first=Jordan|url=https://loudwire.com/charlie-benante-best-thrash-record/|title=Charlie Benante Names 'Best Thrash Record' and It's Surprising|website=loudwire.com|access-date=May 14, 2025}}</ref>  A few commentators argue for other bands, including [[Overkill (band)|Overkill]] and [[Metal Church]] (both of whom formed in 1980), as the earliest bands to play thrash metal before releasing albums.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-complete-history-of-overkill|title=The complete history of Overkill|website=loudersound.com|access-date=May 14, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite mag|url=https://screamermagazine.com/tag/metal-church/|title=Metal Church Archives|magazine=[[Screamer Magazine]]|access-date=May 14, 2025}}</ref>

In 1981, [[Los Angeles]] band [[Leather Charm]] wrote a song entitled "Hit the Lights". Leather Charm soon disbanded and the band's primary songwriter, vocalist/rhythm guitarist [[James Hetfield]], met drummer [[Lars Ulrich]] through a classified advertisement. Together, Hetfield and Ulrich formed Metallica, one of the "Big Four" thrash bands, with lead guitarist [[Dave Mustaine]], who would later form Megadeth, another of the "Big Four" originators of thrash, and bassist [[Ron McGovney]]. McGovney would be replaced by Cliff Burton (formerly of [[Trauma (American band)|Trauma]]), and Mustaine was later replaced by [[Kirk Hammett]] of the then-unsigned Exodus, and at Burton's insistence, the band relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area. Before Metallica had even settled on a definitive lineup, Metal Blade Records executive [[Brian Slagel]] asked Hetfield and Ulrich (credited as "Mettallica") to record "Hit the Lights" for the first edition of his ''[[Metal Massacre]]'' compilation in 1982. A re-recorded version of "Hit the Lights" would later open their first studio album, ''[[Kill 'Em All]]'', released in July 1983.<ref>{{cite web|last=Heller|first=Jason|title=An introduction to the snarling, belligerent rebelliousness of thrash|url=https://www.avclub.com/an-introduction-to-the-snarling-belligerent-rebellious-1798237220|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=28 March 2013|access-date=13 July 2013|archive-date=1 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801160542/http://www.avclub.com/articles/an-introduction-to-the-snarling-belligerent-rebell,95715/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Kill 'Em All'' is widely regarded as the first thrash metal album, and one of the album's tracks "[[Whiplash (Metallica song)|Whiplash]]" has been referred to as one of the first songs of the genre.<ref>{{cite web|first=Paul |last=Elliott |title=The 10 best Metallica songs from the 1980s |website=loudersound.com |date=September 20, 2022 |access-date=October 31, 2024 |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-10-best-metallica-songs-from-the-1980s}}</ref>

Another "Big Four" thrash band formed in Los Angeles in 1981, when guitarists [[Jeff Hanneman]] and [[Kerry King]] met while auditioning for the same band and subsequently decided to form a band of their own. Hanneman and King recruited vocalist/bassist [[Tom Araya]] and drummer [[Dave Lombardo]], and [[Slayer]] was formed. Slayer was discovered by Metal Blade Records executive Brian Slagel; the band's live performance of [[Iron Maiden]]'s "Phantom of the Opera" so impressed him that he promptly signed them to his label. In December 1983, five months after the release of Metallica's debut ''Kill 'Em All'', Slayer released their debut album, ''[[Show No Mercy (Slayer album)|Show No Mercy]]''.

To the north, Canada produced influential thrash and [[speed metal]] bands such as [[Annihilator (band)|Annihilator]], [[Anvil (band)|Anvil]], [[Exciter (band)|Exciter]], [[Razor (band)|Razor]], [[Sacrifice (band)|Sacrifice]], and [[Voivod (band)|Voivod]].

====Mainstream popularity (1984–1989)====
=====First wave (1984–1986)=====
The popularity of thrash metal increased in 1984 with the release of Metallica's sophomore record ''[[Ride the Lightning]]'', as well as Anthrax's debut ''[[Fistful of Metal]]'' and [[Metal Church]]'s [[Metal Church (album)|eponymous debut album]].<ref name="goldminemag"/> Slayer and [[Overkill (band)|Overkill]] released extended plays on independent labels during this era, ''[[Haunting the Chapel]]'' and ''[[Overkill (EP)|Overkill]]'' respectively. This led to a heavier-sounding form of thrash, which was reflected in Exodus' debut album ''[[Bonded by Blood]]'', Slayer's ''[[Hell Awaits]]'' and Anthrax's ''[[Spreading the Disease]]'', all three released in 1985. Several other debut albums were released that same year, including Megadeth's ''[[Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!]]'', Overkill's ''[[Feel the Fire (Overkill album)|Feel the Fire]]'', Kreator's ''[[Endless Pain]]'', Destruction's ''[[Infernal Overkill]]'', [[Possessed (band)|Possessed]]'s ''[[Seven Churches (album)|Seven Churches]]'', [[Celtic Frost]]'s ''[[To Mega Therion (album)|To Mega Therion]]'', [[Watchtower (band)|Watchtower]]'s ''[[Energetic Disassembly]]'' and the [[Sepultura]] EP ''[[Bestial Devastation]]''. ''Seven Churches'' and ''To Mega Therion'' are often credited for pioneering and popularizing the mid-1980s [[extreme metal]] scene (as well as the then-developing genres of [[death metal]] and [[black metal]], respectively),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/30-years-of-possessed-s-seven-churches|title=30 Years Of Possessed's Seven Churches|website=[[Metal Hammer|loudersound.com]]|date=16 October 2015|access-date=August 6, 2022|archive-date=6 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806164123/https://www.loudersound.com/features/30-years-of-possessed-s-seven-churches|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2015/04/06/celtic-frost-to-mega-therion/|title=Celtic Frost – 'To Mega Therion'|website=[[Decibel (magazine)|decibelmagazine.com]]|date=6 April 2015|access-date=August 6, 2022|archive-date=6 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806164234/https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2015/04/06/celtic-frost-to-mega-therion/|url-status=live}}</ref> while ''Energetic Disassembly'' has been cited as the first [[progressive metal|progressive/technical thrash metal]] album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://themetalfiles.com/2009/10/04/watchtower-energetic-disassembly-1985/|title=Watchtower – Energetic Disassembly (1985)|website=The Metal Files|date=5 October 2009|access-date=25 June 2021|archive-date=28 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228140226/https://themetalfiles.com/2009/10/04/watchtower-energetic-disassembly-1985/|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Slayer, The Fields of Rock, 2007.jpg|thumb|Slayer (pictured in 2007) released ''[[Reign in Blood]]'' in 1986, considered a landmark achievement in the genre's history.]]
From a creative standpoint, the year 1986 was perhaps the pinnacle of thrash metal,{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} as a number of critically acclaimed and genre-defining albums were released. Metallica's major label debut ''[[Master of Puppets]]'' was released in March, becoming the first thrash album to be certified platinum, being certified 6× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA); it would be the band's last album to feature bassist [[Cliff Burton]], who was killed in a bus accident six months after its release. Kreator released ''[[Pleasure to Kill]]'' in April 1986, which would later be a major influence on the death metal scene.<ref>{{cite web|first=Cosmo |last=Lee |title=Interview with Cannibal Corpse |url=http://invisibleoranges.com/interviews/cannibalcorpse.html |publisher=[[Invisible Oranges]] |year=2006 |access-date=29 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703180313/http://invisibleoranges.com/interviews/cannibalcorpse.html |archive-date=3 July 2007 }}</ref> Megadeth released ''[[Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?]]'' in September, an album which proved to be the band's commercial and critical breakthrough and which [[AllMusic]] later cited as "a classic of early thrash".<ref>{{cite web|last=Huey|first=Steve|title=Megadeth: Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/peace-sellsbut-whos-buying-bonus-tracks-mw0000650486|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=26 August 2014|archive-date=26 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926062844/http://www.allmusic.com/album/peace-sellsbut-whos-buying-bonus-tracks-mw0000650486|url-status=live}}</ref> Slayer, regarded as one of the most sinister thrash metal bands of the early 1980s,<ref name="Rockd">{{cite web|url=http://www.rockdetector.com/officialbio,8188.sm |title=Slayer band page|publisher=Rockdetector.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184733/http://www.rockdetector.com/officialbio,8188.sm |archive-date=30 September 2007|access-date=10 August 2010}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=March 2016}} released ''[[Reign in Blood]]'' in October, an album considered by some to have single-handedly inspired the death metal genre.<ref>{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Huey|title=Slayer: Reign in Blood|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/reign-in-blood-mw0000191741|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=10 August 2010|archive-date=14 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014044933/http://www.allmusic.com/album/reign-in-blood-mw0000191741|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in October, [[Nuclear Assault]] released their debut album ''[[Game Over (Nuclear Assault album)|Game Over]]'', followed a month later by [[Dark Angel (band)|Dark Angel]]'s ''[[Darkness Descends]]'', which marked the debut of  drummer [[Gene Hoglan]]. [[Flotsam and Jetsam (band)|Flotsam and Jetsam]]'s debut album ''[[Doomsday for the Deceiver]]'' (released on the [[Independence Day (United States)|Fourth of July]] in 1986) received some attention as well, due to the album being "the first of only a handful" to ever receive a 6K rating from ''[[Kerrang!]]'' magazine, and it is also notable for featuring a then-unknown [[Jason Newsted]], who, not long after the album's release, joined Metallica as Burton's replacement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flotstildeath.com/discography/doomsday-for-the-deceiver/|title=Doomsday For The Deceiver (Studio Album) - Flotsam and Jetsam|website=flotstildeath.com|access-date=31 March 2022|archive-date=17 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117160402/https://www.flotstildeath.com/discography/doomsday-for-the-deceiver/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Also during the mid-to-late 1980s, bands such as [[Suicidal Tendencies]], [[Dirty Rotten Imbeciles|D.R.I.]], [[Stormtroopers of Death|S.O.D.]] (who featured three-fifths of Anthrax), and [[Corrosion of Conformity]] paved the way to what became known as [[crossover thrash]], a fusion genre that lies on a continuum between heavy metal and hardcore punk, and is arguably faster and more aggressive than thrash metal.<ref name="DRI">{{cite web|url=http://www.fullinbloommusic.com/dri-biography-dirty-rotten-imbeciles-band.html|title=D.R.I. - Biography - Dirt Rotten Imbeciles - DRI - Crossover Thrash - Kurt Brecht - Spike Cassidy|website=Fullinbloommusic.com|access-date=6 June 2021|archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917064341/http://fullinbloommusic.com/dri-biography-dirty-rotten-imbeciles-band.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=====Second wave (1987–1989)=====
[[File:Testament - 2019213171126 2019-08-01 Wacken - 0304 - 5DSR3130.jpg|thumb|right|[[Testament (band)|Testament]] was one of the most successful [[Bay Area thrash metal]] bands of the late 1980s.]]
By the mid-to-late 1980s, thrash metal began to achieve major mainstream success worldwide, with many bands of the genre receiving heavy rotation on [[MTV]]'s ''[[Headbangers Ball]]'',<ref name="MTV HBB"/><ref name="MTV">{{Cite web|title=30 Years Ago: MTV's Headbangers Ball Premieres With Motorhead Mirth|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/headbangers-ball-premiere/|access-date=26 September 2021|website=[[Townsquare Media|ultimateclassicrock.com]]|date=2 May 2017|archive-date=26 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926153509/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/headbangers-ball-premiere/|url-status=live}}</ref> and radio stations such as [[KBUE#KNAC|KNAC]] in [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]] and [[Z Rock]] in [[Dallas]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Last KNAC Article|url=http://www.knactribute.com/knacart.html|access-date=26 September 2021|website=knactribute.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060517084511/http://www.knactribute.com/knacart.html|archive-date=17 May 2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Z-Rock Top 1001 Songs of All-Time (1990)|url=http://www.rocklists.com/alltime52.html|access-date=26 September 2021|website=rocklists.com|archive-date=2 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102220424/http://www.rocklists.com/alltime52.html|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as coverage on numerous publications, including ''[[Kerrang!]]'' and ''[[Larry Flynt Publications|RIP Magazine]]''. These outlets not only played a major role in the crossover success of thrash metal during this time, but helped push album sales of the genre's "Big Four" and similar bands or moved them from playing clubs to arenas and stadiums.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/get-thrashed-the-story-of-thrash-metal-director-interviewed-video-available|title='Get Thrashed: The Story Of Thrash Metal' Director Interviewed; Video Available|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=August 7, 2008|access-date=May 9, 2024}}</ref>

Anthrax made its mainstream breakthrough in 1987 with the release of their gold-certified album ''[[Among the Living]]'', which borrowed elements from their two previous releases, with fast guitar riffs and pounding drums. Shortly after the release of ''Among the Living'', three Bay Area bands, [[Testament (band)|Testament]], [[Death Angel]] and [[Heathen (band)|Heathen]], respectively released their debut albums ''[[The Legacy (album)|The Legacy]]'', ''[[The Ultra-Violence]]'' and ''[[Breaking the Silence (album)|Breaking the Silence]]''. All of the "Big Four" of [[Teutonic thrash metal]] also released albums in 1987: Kreator's ''[[Terrible Certainty]]'', Destruction's ''[[Release from Agony]]'', Sodom's ''[[Persecution Mania]]'' and Tankard's ''[[Chemical Invasion]]''; those albums cemented their reputations as top-tier German thrash metal bands.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worshipmetal.com/features/german-thrash-10-greatest-old-school-albums/|title=German Thrash: The 10 Greatest Old-School Albums|website=worshipmetal.com|date=February 13, 2015|access-date=May 9, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://rideintoglory.com/bestial-invasion-a-guide-to-teutonic-thrash-metal/|title=Bestial Invasion: A Guide to Teutonic Thrash Metal|website=rideintoglory.com|date=August 18, 2021|access-date=May 9, 2024}}</ref>

In response to thrash metal's growing popularity during this period, several hardcore punk bands began changing their style to a more heavier direction, including [[Suicidal Tendencies]], who are often considered to be one of the "fathers of crossover thrash",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/crossover_thrash_gaining_momentum_once_again-74779|title=Crossover Thrash: Gaining Momentum Once Again?|publisher=[[Ultimate Guitar]]|date=April 29, 2018|access-date=November 27, 2022|archive-date=27 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127223040/https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/crossover_thrash_gaining_momentum_once_again-74779|url-status=live}}</ref> and became more recognized as a thrash metal band in the late 1980s (thanks in large part to the presence of guitarists [[Rocky George]] and [[Mike Clark (guitarist)|Mike Clark]]); the band would reach new heights of success with their first two major-label albums, ''[[How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today]]'' (1988) and ''[[Controlled by Hatred/Feel Like Shit... Déjà Vu]]'' (1989).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=116729|title=Sunday Old School: Suicidal Tendencies|publisher=metalunderground.com|date=September 20, 2015|access-date=November 27, 2022|archive-date=27 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127223036/http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=116729|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Dirty Rotten Imbeciles|D.R.I.]]'s music took a similar direction with their last three albums of the 1980s, ''[[Crossover (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles album)|Crossover]]'' (1987), ''[[4 of a Kind]]'' (1988), and ''[[Thrash Zone]]'' (1989),<ref name="DRI"/> and other bands would follow suit, including [[The Exploited]], [[Excel (band)|Excel]] (from Suicidal Tendencies' hometown of [[Venice, Los Angeles|Venice]]) and [[New York hardcore]] acts [[M.O.D.]] (fronted by former S.O.D. singer [[Billy Milano]]), the [[Cro-Mags]] and the [[Crumbsuckers]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=
Crossover Thrash Music: A Brief History of Crossover Thrash|url=https://www.masterclass.com/articles/crossover-thrash-music-guide|access-date=19 December 2023|website=[[MasterClass|masterclass.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The 10 Best Crossover Thrash Bands|url=https://www.laweekly.com/the-10-best-crossover-thrash-bands/|access-date=19 December 2023|website=[[LA Weekly|laweekly.com]]|date=23 February 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Sunday Old School: M.O.D.|url=https://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=107622|access-date=19 December 2023|website=metalunderground.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Interviews Gary Meskil (Crumbsuckers, Pro-Pain)|url=https://www.noecho.net/interviews/gary-meskil-crumbsuckers-pro-pain|access-date=19 December 2023|website=noecho.net|date=27 February 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Cro-Mags ➖ 'Best Wishes'|url=https://www.thepensivequill.com/2018/12/cro-mags-best-wishes.html|access-date=19 December 2023|website=TPQ}}</ref>

From 1987 to 1989, Overkill released ''[[Taking Over (Overkill album)|Taking Over]]'', ''[[Under the Influence (Overkill album)|Under the Influence]],'' and ''[[The Years of Decay]]'', three albums considered their best. Each of the "Big Four" of thrash metal bands released albums in 1988: Slayer released ''[[South of Heaven]]'', Megadeth released ''[[So Far, So Good... So What!]]'', Anthrax released ''[[State of Euphoria]]'' while Metallica's ''[[...And Justice for All (album)|...And Justice for All]]'' spawned the band's first video and Top 40 hit, the [[World War I]]-themed song "[[One (Metallica song)|One]]". That same year, Metallica joined [[Van Halen]], [[Scorpions (band)|Scorpions]], [[Dokken]] and [[Kingdom Come (German band)|Kingdom Come]] on the two-month-long arena and stadium tour [[Monsters of Rock]] in North America.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Metal Memories – '80s Concerts: VAN HALEN, METALLICA, SCORPIONS, RAINBOW|url=https://bravewords.com/features/metal-memories-80s-concerts-van-halen-metallica-scorpions-rainbow|access-date=26 September 2021|website=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|Bravewords.com]]|date=22 June 2021 |archive-date=26 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926153455/https://bravewords.com/features/metal-memories-80s-concerts-van-halen-metallica-scorpions-rainbow|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Monsters Of Rock US 1988: The Making Of Metallica|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/monsters-of-rock-us-1988-the-making-of-metallica|access-date=26 September 2021|website=[[Metal Hammer|Loudersound.com]]|date=13 November 2019|archive-date=26 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926153453/https://www.loudersound.com/features/monsters-of-rock-us-1988-the-making-of-metallica|url-status=live}}</ref> In the spring of 1989, Anthrax teamed up with Exodus and [[Helloween]] on a [[Headbangers Ball Tour|US arena tour]] sponsored by ''Headbangers Ball''.<ref name="MTV"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=Maximum Metal Columns: Tales from the Jugular|url=http://www.maximummetal.com/columns/tales/col-tftj.asp?page=147|access-date=26 September 2021|website=maximummetal.com|archive-date=26 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926153509/http://www.maximummetal.com/columns/tales/col-tftj.asp?page=147|url-status=live}}</ref>

Sepultura's third album, ''[[Beneath the Remains]]'' (1989), earned them some mainstream appeal as it was released by [[Roadrunner Records]]. Testament's second and third albums, ''[[The New Order (album)|The New Order]]'' (1988) and ''[[Practice What You Preach]]'' (1989), nearly gained them the same level of popularity as the "Big Four",<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Lee|first=Cosmo|title=Get Thrashed: The Story of Thrash Metal|url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/movie_review/get-thrashed-the-story-of-thrash-metal.htm|magazine=[[Stylus Magazine]]|date=7 May 2007|access-date=28 January 2014|archive-date=25 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225230004/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/movie_review/get-thrashed-the-story-of-thrash-metal.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=D.X. |last=Ferris |title=Talkin' Thrash |url=http://www.clevescene.com/2007-08-08/music/talkin-thrash |work=[[Cleveland Scene]] |date=8 August 2007 |access-date=3 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110222020/http://www.clevescene.com/2007-08-08/music/talkin-thrash |archive-date=10 November 2007 }}</ref> while [[Exodus (band)|Exodus]]' third album ''[[Fabulous Disaster]]'' (1989) garnered the band their first music video and one of their most recognized songs, the [[Moshing|mosh-pit]] anthem "[[The Toxic Waltz (song)|The Toxic Waltz]]".<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Story Behind The Song: The Toxic Waltz by Exodus|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/exodus-the-story-behind-the-toxic-waltz|access-date=19 December 2023|website=[[Metal Hammer|Loudersound.com]]|date=23 April 2020}}</ref> [[Vio-lence]], [[Forbidden (band)|Forbidden]], and [[Sadus]], three relative latecomers to the Bay Area thrash metal scene, released their debut albums ''[[Eternal Nightmare (Vio-lence album)|Eternal Nightmare]]'', ''[[Forbidden Evil (album)|Forbidden Evil]],'' and ''[[Illusions (Sadus album)|Illusions]]'', respectively, in 1988; the latter album demonstrated a sound that was primarily driven by the fretless bass of [[Steve Di Giorgio]]. Also in 1988, [[Blind Illusion]] released its only studio album for more than two decades, ''[[The Sane Asylum]]'', which received some particular attention as it was produced by [[Kirk Hammett]], and is also notable for featuring bassist [[Les Claypool]] and former Possessed guitarist [[Larry LaLonde]]; after its release, the two would later team up together in Claypool's then-upcoming band [[Primus (band)|Primus]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Metal Crypt - Blind Illusion Interview|url=https://www.metalcrypt.com/pages/interviews.php?intid=791|access-date=19 December 2023|website=metalcrypt.com|date=28 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Progressive thrash vets Blind Illusion celebrate new album at Petaluma's Phoenix Theater|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/progressive-thrash-metal-vets-blind-illusion-celebrate-new-album-phoenix-theater-petaluma/|access-date=19 December 2023|website=[[CBS News|CBS San Francisco]]|date=8 April 2023}}</ref>

Canadian thrashers [[Annihilator (band)|Annihilator]] released their highly technical debut ''[[Alice in Hell]]'' in 1989, which was praised for its fast riffs and extended guitar solos. In Germany, Sodom released ''[[Agent Orange (album)|Agent Orange]]'', and Kreator would release ''[[Extreme Aggression]]''. Several highly acclaimed albums associated with the sub-genre of technical thrash metal were also released in 1989, including Coroner's ''[[No More Color]]'', Dark Angel's ''[[Leave Scars]]'', [[Toxik]]'s ''[[Think This]],'' and [[Watchtower (band)|Watchtower]]'s ''[[Control and Resistance]]'', which has been recognized and acknowledged as one of the cornerstones of [[jazz fusion|jazz-metal fusion]] and a major influence on the [[technical death metal]] genre,<ref>{{cite web|title=Agoraphobic News' Top 45 metal albums of 1989!|url=http://agoraphobic-news.com/articles_view.php?url=agoraphobic_news_top_45_metal_albums_of_1989|work=Agoraphobic News|date=26 June 2019|access-date=17 March 2021|archive-date=28 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228140226/http://agoraphobic-news.com/articles_view.php?url=agoraphobic_news_top_45_metal_albums_of_1989|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://metalindex.hu/2019/11/15/control-was-just-the-natural-progression-for-us/|title="Control was just the natural progression for us"|website=metalindex.hu|date=15 November 2019|access-date=17 March 2021|archive-date=14 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114145614/https://metalindex.hu/2019/11/15/control-was-just-the-natural-progression-for-us/|url-status=live}}</ref> while [[Forced Entry (band)|Forced Entry]]'s debut album ''[[Uncertain Future]]'' helped pioneer the late 1980s [[Music of Seattle|Seattle music]] scene.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Seattle Metal Scene|url=http://www.knaclive.com/article.asp?ArticleID=511|work=[[KNAC]].com|date=7 March 2002|access-date=16 March 2021|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420232506/http://www.knaclive.com/article.asp?ArticleID=511|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=20 Of The Greatest Technical Thrash Albums Of The 1980's!|url=http://www.worshipmetal.com/features/20-of-the-greatest-technical-thrash-albums-of-the-1980s/|work=Worship Metal|date=29 March 2020|access-date=16 March 2021|archive-date=18 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418075828/http://www.worshipmetal.com/features/20-of-the-greatest-technical-thrash-albums-of-the-1980s/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Thrash metal in the 1990s===
====Continued popularity (1990–1991)====
A number of more typical but technically sophisticated albums were released in 1990, including Megadeth's ''[[Rust in Peace]]'', Anthrax's ''[[Persistence of Time]]'', Slayer's ''[[Seasons in the Abyss]]'', Suicidal Tendencies' ''[[Lights...Camera...Revolution!]]'', Testament's ''[[Souls of Black]]'', Kreator's ''[[Coma of Souls]]'', Destruction's ''[[Cracked Brain]]'', Forbidden's ''[[Twisted into Form]]'', Exodus' ''[[Impact Is Imminent]]'', [[Sacred Reich]]'s ''[[The American Way (album)|The American Way]]'', [[Prong (band)|Prong]]'s ''[[Beg to Differ]]'', [[Pantera]]'s ''[[Cowboys from Hell]]'' and [[Exhorder]]'s ''[[Slaughter in the Vatican]]''; the latter three are often credited for being an integral part of the then-developing [[groove metal]] genre.<ref>{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Dick|title=Prong - "Beg to Differ" - Decibel Magazine|date=16 August 2017|publisher=[[Decibel (magazine)|Decibel]]|url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2017/08/16/prong-beg-differ/|access-date=10 December 2021|archive-date=11 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811041608/https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2017/08/16/prong-beg-differ/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Exhorder - Slaughter in the Vatican (album review )|date=26 March 2012|publisher=Sputnikmusic|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/48823/Exhorder-Slaughter-in-the-Vatican/|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=19 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919144745/https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/48823/Exhorder-Slaughter-in-the-Vatican/|url-status=live}}</ref> All of those albums were commercial high points for the aforementioned artists. During this period, Megadeth and Slayer co-headlined one of the most successful tours in thrash metal history called the [[Clash of the Titans (tour)|Clash of the Titans]]; the first leg in Europe included support from Testament and Suicidal Tendencies, while the second leg in North America had Anthrax and then-emerging Seattle band [[Alice in Chains]], who were the supporting act.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wiederhorn|first=Jon|date=13 April 2010|title=Clash of the Titans Tour: Iron Giants|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/clash-titans-tour-iron-giants|access-date=16 March 2021|website=[[Guitar World]]|language=en-US|archive-date=16 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216160040/https://www.guitarworld.com/features/clash-titans-tour-iron-giants|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Gilmore|first=Mikal|date=11 July 1991|title=Heavy Metal Thunder: Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/heavy-metal-thunder-slayer-megadeth-and-anthrax-185010/|access-date=16 March 2021|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

Several albums, some of which had come to be known as technical thrash metal, were released in 1991, including Overkill's ''[[Horrorscope (Overkill album)|Horrorscope]]'', [[Heathen (band)|Heathen]]'s ''[[Victims of Deception]]'', [[Dark Angel (band)|Dark Angel]]'s ''[[Time Does Not Heal]]'', Sepultura's ''[[Arise (Sepultura album)|Arise]]'', Coroner's ''[[Mental Vortex]]'', Prong's ''[[Prove You Wrong]]'' and Forced Entry's ''[[As Above, So Below (Forced Entry album)|As Above, So Below]]''.

In 1991, Metallica released their [[Metallica (album)|eponymous fifth studio album]], known as ''The Black Album''. Produced by [[Bob Rock]] (who was then known for working with the likes of [[Mötley Crüe]], [[Aerosmith]], [[Bon Jovi]] and [[The Cult]]), the album marked a stylistic change in the band, eliminating much of the speed and longer song structures of the band's previous work, and instead focusing on more concise and heavier songs. The album was a change in Metallica's direction from the thrash metal style of the band's previous four studio albums towards a more contemporary heavy metal sound with original [[hard rock]] elements, but still had remnant characteristics of thrash metal.<ref>[[Adam Dubin]], [[Metallica]] ([[James Hetfield]], [[Lars Ulrich]], [[Kirk Hammett]], [[Jason Newsted]]), [[Bob Rock]], [[Spinal Tap (band)|Spinal Tap]], ''[[A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica]]'': Part 1, VHS, [[Elektra Entertainment]], 1992</ref><ref name="Gibson Bob Rock Metallica 2011">{{cite web|last=Hodgson|first=Peter|url=http://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/News/en-us/metallica-0802-2011.aspx|title=Metallica Producer: 'Black Album' 'Wasn't Fun'|publisher=[[Gibson Guitar Company]]|date=2 August 2011|access-date=2 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201005154/http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/News/en-us/metallica-0802-2011.aspx|archive-date=1 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/producer-bob-rock-says-he-had-to-prove-himself-constantly-while-working-on-metallicas-black-album|title=Producer BOB ROCK Says He Had To Prove Himself 'Constantly' While Working On METALLICA's 'Black Album'|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=April 28, 2025|date=June 6, 2023}}</ref> ''Metallica'' would go on to become the band's best-selling album and began a wave of thrash metal bands releasing more garage-oriented albums, or else more experimental ones.

====Decline (1991–1999)====
The era of 1991–1992 marked the beginning of the end of thrash metal's commercial peak, due to the rising popularity of the [[alternative metal]] and [[grunge]] movements (the latter spearheaded by [[Washington (state)|Washington]]-based bands [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], [[Soundgarden]], [[Alice in Chains]] and [[Pearl Jam]]).<ref>{{cite book|last1=McIver|first1=Joel|title=The Bloody Reign of Slayer|date=2009|publisher=Omnibus Press}}</ref> In response to this climate change, many thrash metal bands that had emerged from the previous decade had called it quits or went on hiatus during the 1990s, while half of the "Big Four" and other veteran bands began changing to more accessible, radio-friendly styles.<ref>{{cite web|title=Speed/Thrash Metal|website=[[AllMusic]]|url=http://www.allmusic.com/style/speed-thrash-metal-ma0000002874|access-date=30 January 2014|archive-date=2 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602220548/http://www.allmusic.com/style/speed-thrash-metal-ma0000002874|url-status=live}}</ref> Metallica was a notable example of this shift, particularly with their mid-to-late 1990s albums ''[[Load (album)|Load]]'', and ''[[Reload (Metallica album)|ReLoad]]'', which displayed minor [[blues]] and [[southern rock]] influences, and were seen as a major departure from the band's earlier sound.{{sfn|Sharpe-Young|2007a|p=256}} Megadeth took a more accessible heavy metal route starting with their 1992 album ''[[Countdown to Extinction]]''.{{sfn|Sharpe-Young|2007a|p=241}} Testament, Exodus and Flotsam and Jetsam all took a melodic/progressive approach with the albums ''[[The Ritual (Testament album)|The Ritual]]'',<ref>{{cite web|first=Anthony|last=Syme|title=Interview with Chuck Billy|publisher=MetalUpdate.com|url=http://metalupdate.com/interviewbilly.html|access-date=1 September 2014|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305015249/http://www.metalupdate.com/interviewbilly.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Force of Habit]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=6545|title=Review: Exodus: Force of Habit (remaster)|website=seaoftranquility.org|access-date=31 March 2022|archive-date=1 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401022612/https://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=6545|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[Cuatro (Flotsam and Jetsam album)|Cuatro]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flotstildeath.com/discography/cuatro-studio-album/|title=Cuatro (Studio Album) - Flotsam and Jetsam|website=flotstildeath.com|access-date=31 March 2022|archive-date=17 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117160402/https://www.flotstildeath.com/discography/doomsday-for-the-deceiver/|url-status=live}}</ref> respectively. One of the pioneers of crossover thrash, [[Corrosion of Conformity]], began changing their sound into a slower and [[Black Sabbath]]-influenced heavy metal direction with their post-1980s output, adapting influences and textures of [[sludge metal|sludge]], [[doom metal]], blues, and southern rock on several of their albums, including ''[[Blind (Corrosion of Conformity album)|Blind]]'' (1991), ''[[Deliverance (Corrosion of Conformity album)|Deliverance]]'' (1994) and ''[[Wiseblood (Corrosion of Conformity album)|Wiseblood]]'' (1996).<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/reed-mullin-corrosion-of-conformity-obituary-944459/|title=Reed Mullin, Corrosion of Conformity Drummer, Dead at 53|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=28 January 2020|access-date=6 June 2021}}</ref>

In the wake of the success of [[groove metal]], instigated by Pantera (who went on to become one of the most successful heavy metal bands of the 1990s), several thrash metal established bands started to expand their sound by adding elements and influences from the groove metal genre.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.vh1.com/news/h0tfpf/90s-post-thrash-groove-metal-scene | title=Rediscovering The '90s Post-Thrash Groove Metal Scene | publisher=[[VH1|VH1.com]] | date=12 August 2015 | access-date=27 April 2021 | archive-date=31 July 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731031546/http://www.vh1.com/news/45371/90s-post-thrash-groove-metal-scene/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/every-prong-album-ranked-from-worst-to-best-by-tommy-victor/ | title=Every Prong Album Ranked From Worst To Best By Tommy Victor | publisher=[[Kerrang!]] | date=9 August 2020 | access-date=27 April 2021 | archive-date=8 October 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008232645/https://www.kerrang.com/features/every-prong-album-ranked-from-worst-to-best-by-tommy-victor/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/top_7_iconic_groove_metal_albums_that_helped_metal_survive-109511 | title=Top 7 Iconic Groove Metal Albums That Helped Metal Survive | publisher=[[Ultimate Guitar|Ultimate-Guitar.com]] | date=9 August 2020 | access-date=27 April 2021 | archive-date=27 April 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427193922/https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/top_7_iconic_groove_metal_albums_that_helped_metal_survive-109511 | url-status=live }}</ref> Anthrax, who had recently replaced [[Joey Belladonna]] with [[John Bush (musician)|John Bush]] as their singer, began stepping away from their previously established thrash metal formula to a more accessible alternative/groove metal approach for the remainder of their 1990s output, starting with and including ''[[Sound of White Noise]]'' (1993).<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2011-09-14/music/anthrax-and-joey-belladonna-keep-it-in-the-family | title=Anthrax and Joey Belladonna Keep It In the Family | newspaper=[[The Village Voice]] | date=14 September 2011 | access-date=27 April 2021 | author=Weingarten, Christopher R.| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201124735/http://www.villagevoice.com/2011-09-14/music/anthrax-and-joey-belladonna-keep-it-in-the-family | archive-date=1 December 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/anthrax-sound-of-white-noise/ | title=How Anthrax's 'Sound of White Noise' Kicked Off the John Bush Era | publisher=Ultimate Classic Rock | date=25 May 2018 | access-date=27 April 2021 | author=Kielty, Martin | archive-date=27 April 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427193921/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/anthrax-sound-of-white-noise/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YIwHlb1zNyoC&q=%22Sound+Of+White+Noise%22+%22+metal%22&pg=PA79 | title=Anthrax - Sound of White Noise review | last=Wiederhorn |first=Jon |magazine=SPIN | date=July 1993 | volume=9 | issue=4 | page=79 |access-date=27 April 2021 | archive-date=19 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919144822/https://books.google.com/books?id=YIwHlb1zNyoC&q=%22Sound+Of+White+Noise%22+%22+metal%22&pg=PA79 | url-status=live }}</ref> Sacred Reich, Overkill, Coroner, Prong, Testament, and Forbidden followed this trend with their respective albums ''[[Independent (Sacred Reich album)|Independent]]'',<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/cdreviews/independent-reissue/ | title=CD Reviews - Independent (Reissue) Sacred Reich | publisher=Blabbermouth.net | access-date=27 April 2021 | author=Bergman, Keith | archive-date=27 April 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427193921/https://www.blabbermouth.net/cdreviews/independent-reissue/ | url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[I Hear Black]]'',<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.worshipmetal.com/features/i-hear-black-is-it-overkills-most-underrated-album/ | title=I Hear Black: Is It Overkill's Most Underrated Album? | publisher=Worship Music | date=9 March 2016 | access-date=27 April 2021 | author=Jennings, Chris | archive-date=5 June 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605005837/http://www.worshipmetal.com/features/i-hear-black-is-it-overkills-most-underrated-album/ | url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Grin (Coroner album)|Grin]]'',<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/53987/Coroner-Grin/ | title=Coroner - Grin (album review 2) | publisher=Sputnikmusic | date=18 December 2012 | access-date=27 April 2021 | author=Wolfers, Jeremy | archive-date=19 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919144747/https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/53987/Coroner-Grin/ | url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Cleansing (album)|Cleansing]]'',<ref>{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Roche|title=The Top 20 New York Hardcore and Metal Albums of All Time|date=8 July 2013|publisher=[[The Village Voice]]|url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2013/07/08/the-top-20-new-york-hardcore-and-metal-albums-of-all-time/|access-date=10 December 2021|archive-date=10 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210174140/https://www.villagevoice.com/2013/07/08/the-top-20-new-york-hardcore-and-metal-albums-of-all-time/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Low (Testament album)|Low]]'',<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/8659/Testament-Low/ | title=Testament - Low (album review) | publisher=Sputnikmusic | date=14 September 2017 | access-date=27 April 2021 | author=Geadom | archive-date=19 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919144747/https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/53987/Coroner-Grin/ | url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[Distortion (Forbidden album)|Distortion]]''.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://metalnerdblog.com/2011/10/07/forbidden-distortion-review/ | title=Forbidden – Distortion Review | publisher=Metal-Nerd Blog | date=7 October 2011 | access-date=27 April 2021 | archive-date=27 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027130232/https://metalnerdblog.com/2011/10/07/forbidden-distortion-review/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Sepultura's 1993 album ''[[Chaos A.D.]]'' also marked the beginning of their transition away from death/thrash metal to groove metal which had influenced then-up-and-coming bands like [[Korn]], who reciprocally became the inspiration behind the [[nu metal]] style of the band's next album ''[[Roots (Sepultura album)|Roots]]'' (1996).<ref>[https://loudwire.com/iggor-cavalera-korn-did-influence-sepultura-on-roots-album-but-so-did-others/ "Iggor Cavalera: Korn did influence Sepultura on Roots album but so did others"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418221041/https://loudwire.com/iggor-cavalera-korn-did-influence-sepultura-on-roots-album-but-so-did-others/ |date=18 April 2021 }}. ''Loudwire'', 2016</ref> ''Roots'' would influence a generation of bands from [[Linkin Park]] to [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]], which during the 1990s meant the replacement of death, thrash, and speed, by nu metal and metalcore as popular epicenters of the hardest metal scene.<ref>[https://www.wearethepit.com/2020/09/why-sepulturas-chaos-a-d-is-more-relevant-now-than-ever/ "Why Sepultura's 'Chaos A.D.' Is More Relevant Now Than Ever"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418221042/https://www.wearethepit.com/2020/09/why-sepulturas-chaos-a-d-is-more-relevant-now-than-ever/ |date=18 April 2021 }}, ''We Are The Pit'', 2 September 2020</ref>

Staying away from this new commercial mainstream of groove metal, metalcore, and especially nu metal, the [[Black metal#Second wave|second wave of black metal]] emerged as an opposed underground music scene, initially in [[Norway]]. This crop of new bands differenced themselves from the "first wave" by totally distilling black metal from the combined origins with thrash metal, but they preserved from all these sub-genres the emphasis on atmosphere over rhythm.<ref>[https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/10-of-the-most-important-cultural-shifts-in-metal/ "10 of the Most Important Cultural Shifts in Metal"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418221040/https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/10-of-the-most-important-cultural-shifts-in-metal/ |date=18 April 2021 }}, ''Kerrang'', 2 February 2020</ref>

As further [[extreme metal]] genres came to prominence in the 1990s ([[industrial metal]], death metal, and [[black metal]] each finding their own fanbase), the heavy metal "family tree" soon found itself blending aesthetics and styles.<ref>Dunn, Sam (2005). [http://imdb.com/title/tt0478209/ ''Metal: A Headbanger's Journey''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229154022/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0478209/ |date=29 December 2017 }}. IMDB.</ref> For example, bands with all the musical traits of thrash metal began using [[death growls]], a vocal style borrowed from death metal, while black metal bands often utilized the airy feel of [[synthesizers]], popularized in industrial metal. Today the placing of bands within distinct sub-genres remains a source of contention for heavy metal fans, however, little debate resides over the fact that thrash metal is the sole proprietor of its respective spin-offs.

===Revivals (2000–present)===
A few thrash metal bands from the 1980s and early 1990s, particularly the genre's U.S. "Big Four", continued recording and touring with success in the 2000s. In 2003, Anthrax released their first studio album in five years ''[[We've Come for You All]]'', followed a month later by Metallica's double platinum-certified album ''[[St. Anger]]''. After experimenting further with a commercialized sound on their previous few albums, Megadeth returned to its heavier sound with their ninth album ''[[The World Needs a Hero]]'' (2001). It would be the band's final album before disbanding in the following year, due to an arm injury that had left [[Dave Mustaine]] unable to play guitar;<ref>{{cite web|title=Injury Forces Mustaine To Disband Megadeth|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/injury-forces-mustaine-to-disband-megadeth-76247/|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> he would eventually reform Megadeth for a handful albums, including ''[[The System Has Failed]]'' (2004) which was originally going to be released as a solo album by him,<ref>{{cite web|title=DAVE MUSTAINE: 'Anyone Who Says That MEGADETH Isn't Me Is A Fool'|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/dave-mustaine-anyone-who-says-that-megadeth-isn-t-me-is-a-fool|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=31 March 2007 |access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> before reuniting with co-founding member and bassist [[David Ellefson]] in 2010. Slayer released three albums in the 2000s: ''[[God Hates Us All]]'' (2001), which saw a return to their signature thrash metal sound,<ref>{{cite web|title=22 Years Ago: Slayer Release 'God Hates Us All'|url=https://loudwire.com/slayer-god-hates-us-all-album-anniversary/|website=[[Loudwire|Loudwire.com]]|date=11 September 2023 |access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> followed by ''[[Christ Illusion]]'' (2006) and ''[[World Painted Blood]]'' (2009), both of which marked their first studio albums with drummer [[Dave Lombardo]] in nearly two decades. Although their career had declined from its peak in the 1990s, Overkill was perhaps one of the most-active thrash metal groups outside of the "Big Four", having never disbanded or taken longer breaks in-between records, and by 2000's ''[[Bloodletting (Overkill album)|Bloodletting]]'', they were the first band in the genre to release more than ten studio albums. Overkill's popularity was reignited in the 2010s, with three of their albums, ''[[The Electric Age]]'' (2012), ''[[White Devil Armory]]'' (2014) and ''[[The Grinding Wheel]]'' (2017), all entering the Top 100 on the ''[[Billboard 200|Billboard]]'' charts.<ref>{{cite web|title=
Overkill - Biography - Bobby Blitz Ellsworth - DD Verni - Taking Over - The Years of Decay|url=http://fullinbloommusic.com/overkill-biography-dd-verni-blitz-ellsworth.html|website=fullinbloommusic.com|access-date=February 14, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Overkill|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/overkill/chart-history/tlp/|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard.com]]|access-date=February 14, 2024|archive-date=25 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125181928/https://www.billboard.com/artist/overkill/chart-history/tlp/|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>

The resurgence of interest in the thrash metal genre during the early 2000s was widely attributed to the [[Thrash of the Titans]] festival, which was held in August 2001 as a co-benefit concert for Testament singer [[Chuck Billy]] and [[Death (metal band)|Death]]'s [[Chuck Schuldiner]], who were both battling cancer.<ref name=share-the-stage>{{Cite web|title=Bay Area thrash-metal titans share the stage at the San Jose Civic|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/bay-area-thrash-metal-heroes-bay-strikes-back-tour-testament-exodus-death-angel/|website=[[CBS News]]|date=10 October 2022 |access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> The show is also notable for seeing several of Testament's [[Bay Area thrash metal]] contemporaries, including Exodus, Death Angel, [[Vio-lence]], [[Forbidden (band)|Forbidden Evil]], [[Sadus]] and Legacy (a precursor to Testament), reunited.<ref>{{Cite web|title=August 11 2001 Thrash Of The Titans|url=https://www.emptywords.org/RHThrashOfTheTitans10-2001.htm|website=emptywords.org|access-date=February 11, 2024|archive-date=21 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921223440/http://www.emptywords.org/RHThrashOfTheTitans10-2001.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Thrash Of The Titans|url=https://www.emptywords.org/MM02-2002.htm|website=emptywords.org|access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> Many thrash metal bands from outside of the Bay Area would subsequently reunite, including Anthrax (twice with [[Joey Belladonna]] and briefly with [[John Bush (singer)|John Bush]]),<ref>{{cite web|title=JOHN BUSH Reveals Most Hurtful Thing About His Split With ANTHRAX|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/john-bush-reveals-most-hurtful-thing-about-his-split-with-anthrax|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=10 June 2015 |access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> [[Dark Angel (band)|Dark Angel]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Partial DARK ANGEL Reunion Occurs!|url=https://bravewords.com/news/partial-dark-angel-reunion-occurs|website=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|bravewords.com]]|date=21 October 2002 |access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> [[Nuclear Assault]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dan Lilker Explains on Disbanding Nuclear Assault: 'We're Getting a Little Old'|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dan_lilker_explains_on_disbanding_nuclear_assault_were_getting_a_little_old.html|website=[[Ultimate Guitar]]|access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> [[Sacred Reich]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sunday Old School: Sacred Reich|url=https://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=58491|website=metalunderground.com|access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> UK bands [[Onslaught (band)|Onslaught]],<ref>{{cite web|title=ONSLAUGHT To Play One-Off U.K. Date With TESTAMENT, XENTRIX|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/onslaught-to-play-one-off-u-k-date-with-testament-xentrix|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=11 May 2006 |access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> [[Sabbat (English band)|Sabbat]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sunday Old School: Sabbat|url=https://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=62316|website=metalunderground.com|access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> and [[Xentrix]],<ref>{{cite web|title=U.K. Thrashers XENTRIX To Reunite For Two Exclusive Gigs|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/u-k-thrashers-xentrix-to-reunite-for-two-exclusive-gigs|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=12 February 2006 |access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> and Canada's [[Sacrifice (band)|Sacrifice]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Canadian Thrash Metal Legends SACRIFICE To Reunite For DAY OF THE EQUINOX II|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/canadian-thrash-metal-legends-sacrifice-to-reunite-for-day-of-the-equinox-ii|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=13 March 2006 |access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> renewing interest in previous decades.

The term "thrash-revivalists" has been applied to such bands as [[Lamb of God (band)|Lamb of God]],<ref name="lamb of god"/> [[Municipal Waste (band)|Municipal Waste]],<ref name="tidal"/> [[Evile]],<ref name="hatchet"/> [[Havok (band)|Havok]],<ref name="hatchet"/><ref name="havok"/><ref name="metalassault"/> [[Warbringer]],<ref name="hatchet"/><ref name="metalassault"/> [[Vektor (band)|Vektor]],<ref name="metalassault"/> [[Bonded by Blood (band)|Bonded by Blood]],<ref name="metalassault"/> [[Hatchet (band)|Hatchet]],<ref name="hatchet"/> and [[Power Trip (band)|Power Trip]].<ref name="tidal"/> Evile's 2007 debut album ''[[Enter the Grave]]'', produced by former Metallica producer and engineer [[Flemming Rasmussen]], received considerable praise for its sound, which combined elements of the sounds of Slayer and the Bay Area scene (particularly Exodus and Testament).<ref>Kee, Chris. ''Enter the Grave'' review. ''Zero Tolerance''. October 2007.</ref> Los Angeles-based bands Warbringer and Bonded by Blood took a similar approach on their respective debut albums, ''[[War Without End (album)|War Without End]]'' and ''[[Feed the Beast (Bonded by Blood album)|Feed the Beast]]'', both released in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11199-war-without-end/|title=Warbringer: War Without End Album Review|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|pitchfork.com]]|date=March 5, 2008|access-date=February 18, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://lambgoat.com/albums/2633/bonded-by-blood-feed-the-beast/|title=BONDED BY BLOOD 'Feed The Beast' Album Review|website=lambgoat.com|date=June 27, 2008|access-date=February 18, 2024}}</ref> Perhaps the most commercially successful band from the 2000s and 2010s thrash metal revival movement is Lamb of God, who are also considered a key part of the [[new wave of American heavy metal]] movement,{{sfn|Sharpe-Young|2007b|p=462}}<ref>''[[Metal: A Headbanger's Journey]]'' (2005, Director: Sam Dunn), Disc Two: "Metal Genealogy Chart"</ref> have received two [[Music recording certification|gold-certified]] albums in the U.S.,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Lamb+of+God&ti=&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|title=Gold & Platinum - RIAA|website=[[Recording Industry Association of America|riaa.com]]|access-date=February 18, 2024}}</ref> and have gone from playing small clubs to arenas and stadiums.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/lamb-of-god-from-the-basement-to-arenas|title=Lamb Of God: From the basement to arenas|website=[[Metal Hammer|loudersound.com]]|date=November 15, 2015|access-date=February 18, 2024}}</ref>

Notable bands returned to their roots with releases such as Kreator's ''[[Violent Revolution]]'' (2001), Metallica's ''[[Death Magnetic]]'' (2008), Megadeth's ''[[Endgame (Megadeth album)|Endgame]]'' (2009), Slayer's ''World Painted Blood'' (2009), Exodus' ''[[Exhibit B: The Human Condition]]'' (2010), Overkill's ''[[Ironbound (album)|Ironbound]]'' (2010), Anthrax's ''[[Worship Music (album)|Worship Music]]'' (2011), Testament's ''[[Dark Roots of Earth]]'' (2012), and Flotsam and Jetsam's ''[[Ugly Noise]]'' (2012). More recent bands of the genre, such as Havok and [[Legion of the Damned (band)|Legion of the Damned]] have turned their focus towards a more aggressive rendition of thrash metal, incorporating elements of [[melodic death metal]].

==Derivative forms==
Thrash metal is directly responsible for the development of underground metal genres, such as death metal, [[black metal]],{{sfn|Weinstein|2000|p=288}} and [[groove metal]].<ref name="BestPanteraCDs">{{cite web |url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/bestpanteraalbums.htm |title=Best Pantera Albums |publisher=[[About.com]] |access-date=18 May 2012 |archive-date=3 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003025402/http://heavymetal.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/bestpanteraalbums.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> In addition to this, [[metalcore]], [[grindcore]], and [[deathcore]] employ similar riffs in their composition, the former with more focus on melody rather than chromaticism. The blending of punk ethos and metal's brutal nature led to even more extreme, underground styles after thrash metal began gaining mild commercial success in the late 1980s.{{sfn|Sharpe-Young|2007a|p=162}} 

With gorier subject matter, heavier down tuning of guitars, more consistent use of [[blast beats|blast beat drumming]], and darker, atonal [[death growls]], death metal was established in the mid-1980s. Black metal, also related to thrash metal, emerged at the same time, with many black metal bands taking influence from thrash metal bands such as [[Venom (band)|Venom]].{{sfn|Sharpe-Young|2007a|p=208}} Black metal continued deviating from thrash metal, often providing more orchestral overtones, open [[tremolo picking]], blast beat drumming, [[screaming (music)#Black metal|shrieked]] or raspy vocals and [[Paganism|pagan]] or [[Occultism|occult]]-based aesthetics to distinguish itself from thrash metal. Thrash metal would later combine with its spinoffs, thus giving rise to genres like [[blackened thrash metal]] and [[deathrash]].<ref name="loudwire.com">{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/best-metal-albums-subgenres/#photogallery-1=5|title=The Best Metal Album From 40 Subgenres|website=[[Loudwire]]|date=21 November 2022|access-date=29 August 2018|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140152/http://loudwire.com/best-metal-albums-subgenres/#photogallery-1=5|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2017/12/06/top-black-thrash-albums/|title=Top Ten Black-Thrash Albums by Steve Jansson (Daeva) - Decibel Magazine|date=6 December 2017|access-date=29 August 2018|archive-date=6 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306230838/https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2017/12/06/top-black-thrash-albums/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Deathrash>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2012/01/03/album-of-the-day-deathchains-deathrash-assault/|title=Album of the Day: Deathchain's ''Deathrash Assault'' |date=3 January 2012|publisher=Metal Sucks|last=Ford |first=Leyla |access-date=30 August 2018|archive-date=3 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403175912/http://www.metalsucks.net/2012/01/03/album-of-the-day-deathchains-deathrash-assault/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Ekeroth>{{cite book |last=Ekeroth |first=Daniel |title=Swedish Death Metal |year=2008 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jRRvfWp95FIC |publisher=Bazillion Points Books |isbn= 9780979616310|access-date=30 August 2018 }}</ref> 

[[Groove metal]] takes the intensity and sonic qualities of thrash metal and plays them at mid-[[tempo]], with most bands making only occasional forays into fast tempo,{{r|BestPanteraCDs}} but since the early 1990s, it started to favor a more death metal-derived sound.<ref name="Sound of the Beast">{{citation |author=Christe |year=2003 |page=264 |quote=As close to death metal as any other gold-selling record before it, ''Chaos A.D.'' stripped down Sepultura's sound into a coarse metallic loop. The CD sold half a million copies, and alongside Pantera the band forged a streetwise, death-derived groove metal that inspired an upcoming generation of mavens in the 1990s. |title=[[Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal|Sound of the Beast]]}}</ref> Thrash metal with stronger punk elements is called [[crossover thrash]]. Its overall sound is more punk-influenced than traditional thrash metal but has more heavy metal elements than [[hardcore punk]] and [[thrashcore]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Claes|first=Sean|title=Superjoint Ritual Feature Interview|url=http://www.blistering.com/fastpage/fpengine.php/link/1/templateid/7659/tempidx/5/menuid/3|work=[[Blistering (magazine)|Blistering]]|access-date=10 August 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040820155635/http://www.blistering.com/fastpage/fpengine.php/link/1/templateid/7659/tempidx/5/menuid/3|archive-date=20 August 2004}}</ref>

A fusion of trash metal with shoegaze is called '''dream thrash'''. According to Emma Cownley of ''[[Metal Hammer]]'', "Dream thrash combines the ethereal sounds of shoegaze with the distortion, blast beats and tremolo picking of thrash." Practitioners of this style include [[Astronoid]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=updated |first=Emma Cownleylast |date=2020-03-30 |title=11 of the weirdest metal subgenres |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/dinosaurs-pirates-and-porno-11-of-the-weirdest-metal-subgenres |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Louder |language=en}}</ref>

==Regional scenes==
{{example farm|date=December 2022}}
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Thrash metal emerged predominantly from a handful of regional scenes, each of which was generally distinguished by the unique characteristics of its bands.

* '''[[Bay Area thrash metal]]''', also known as '''West Coast thrash metal''': In addition to being the most commercially successful, the West Coast's thrash metal (mostly centered in [[California]]) is the most progressive and technical of the major regional thrash scenes, being strongly [[new wave of British heavy metal|NWOBHM]]-influenced. [[Metallica]] (originally from [[Los Angeles]]), [[Exodus (band)|Exodus]], [[Testament (band)|Testament]], [[Metal Church]], [[Possessed (band)|Possessed]], [[Death Angel]], [[Attitude Adjustment]], [[Lȧȧz Rockit]], [[Vio-lence]], [[Forbidden (band)|Forbidden]], [[Defiance (metal band)|Defiance]], [[Sadus]], [[Mordred (band)|Mordred]] and [[Blind Illusion]] are prominent examples of bands to emerge from [[San Francisco Bay Area|the Bay Area]]. Although [[Megadeth]], [[Slayer]], [[Dark Angel (band)|Dark Angel]] and [[Suicidal Tendencies]] were technically from Los Angeles, those bands are often credited for popularizing and contributing to the thrash metal scene in [[Northern California]] during the 1980s by frequently playing shows there, especially early in their careers and/or before they received their first [[Recording contract|record deal]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-08-16 |title=Dark Angel Currently Discussing Reunion Plans |url=https://loudwire.com/dark-angel-currently-discussing-reunion-plans/ |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=[[Loudwire]] |language=en-US |archive-date=26 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126201513/https://loudwire.com/dark-angel-currently-discussing-reunion-plans/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rizk |first=Anwar |date=2022-08-29 |title=Local supports announced for upcoming Dark Angel Australian tour |url=http://www.metalobsession.net/2019/08/29/local-supports-announced-for-upcoming-dark-angel-australian-tour/ |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=metalobsession.net |language=en-US |archive-date=26 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126201518/http://www.metalobsession.net/2019/08/29/local-supports-announced-for-upcoming-dark-angel-australian-tour/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-05 |title=Ex-MEGADETH Bassist DAVID ELLEFSON Says EXODUS Would Have To Be Included In Expanded 'Big Four' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/ex-megadeth-bassist-david-ellefson-says-exodus-would-have-to-be-included-in-expanded-big-four |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=[[Blabbermouth.net]] |language=en-US |archive-date=26 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126201515/https://blabbermouth.net/news/ex-megadeth-bassist-david-ellefson-says-exodus-would-have-to-be-included-in-expanded-big-four |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McIntyre |first=Ken |date=2022-09-20 |title=Bonded by blood: the birth of the Bay Area Thrash scene |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/bonded-by-blood-the-birth-of-the-bay-area-thrash-scene |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=[[Metal Hammer|Loudersound.com]] |language=en-US |archive-date=26 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126201518/https://www.loudersound.com/features/bonded-by-blood-the-birth-of-the-bay-area-thrash-scene |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/slayer-exodus-suicidal-tendencies-remembering-day-in-the-dirt-the-woodstock-of-thrash-metal|title=SLAYER, EXODUS, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES - Remembering Day In The Dirt - The Woodstock Of Thrash Metal|date=28 August 2014 |publisher=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|Bravewords.com]]|access-date=December 6, 2022|archive-date=6 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206155603/https://bravewords.com/news/slayer-exodus-suicidal-tendencies-remembering-day-in-the-dirt-the-woodstock-of-thrash-metal|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''East Coast thrash metal''': Centered in [[New York (state)|New York]] and [[New Jersey]], the East Coast's thrash metal tended to display a sound that incorporated a strong [[hardcore punk]] influence. An emphasis was placed on aggression and speed rather than technicality. [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]], [[Overkill (band)|Overkill]], [[Carnivore (band)|Carnivore]], [[Nuclear Assault]], [[Meanstreak (band)|Meanstreak]], [[Warzone (band)|Warzone]], [[Prong (band)|Prong]], [[Toxik]], [[Whiplash (band)|Whiplash]], [[Wrathchild America]] and [[Demolition Hammer]] exemplified the style to emerge from this regional scene.
*'''Gulf Coast thrash metal''': While not as popular as the West Coast and East Coast regions, the Gulf Coast spawned at least three thrash metal scenes (including [[Texas]], [[Louisiana]] and [[Florida]]) during the late 1980s and early 1990s, which saw a number of bands develop a style that was influenced by punk rock and/or the early-to-mid 1980s heavy metal scene. The most notable bands from the Gulf Coast are [[Atheist (band)|Atheist]], [[Solstice (American band)|Solstice]], [[Juggernaut (band)|Juggernaut]], [[Opprobrium (band)|Opprobrium]] (formerly named Incubus), [[Watchtower (band)|Watchtower]], [[Rigor Mortis (band)|Rigor Mortis]], [[Dirty Rotten Imbeciles|D.R.I.]], [[Absu (band)|Absu]], [[Nasty Savage]], [[Verbal Abuse (band)|Verbal Abuse]], [[Angkor Wat (band)|Angkor Wat]], [[Dead Horse (band)|Dead Horse]], [[Pantera]] and [[Exhorder]], the latter of the two (along with New York's Prong) are often credited for developing and popularizing the [[groove metal]] genre in the early 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metal-digest.com/2022/03/12/prong-beg-to-differ/|title=Prong – 'Beg to Differ' – Metal Digest – The Normless Magazine|publisher=metal-digest.com|access-date=December 3, 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202185213/https://metal-digest.com/2022/03/12/prong-beg-to-differ/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vh1.com/news/5s1gm0/pantera-cowboys-from-hell-facts|title='Cowboys From Hell': 25 Facts About the Pantera Classic|publisher=[[VH1]]|access-date=December 3, 2022|archive-date=2 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202192358/https://www.vh1.com/news/5s1gm0/pantera-cowboys-from-hell-facts|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''British thrash metal''': The British thrash scene originated from NWOBHM bands like [[Raven (band)|Raven]], [[Jaguar (band)|Jaguar]], Warfare and [[Dragonslayer (band)|Dragonslayer]] (originally called Slayer) beginning to play accelerated [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]]. This led to British thrash metal bands leaning towards a more [[traditional heavy metal]] approach, often heavier though less aggressive than their American counterparts. Additionally, [[crust punk]] is an integral part of the British thrash metal scene. The most notable bands from this scene are [[Onslaught (band)|Onslaught]], [[Cancer (band)|Cancer]], [[Amebix]], [[Sabbat (English band)|Sabbat]], [[Detritus (band)|Detritus]], [[Xentrix]], [[Sacrilege (band)|Sacrilege]], [[Nightlord]], [[Atomkraft]], [[Hellbastard]], [[Cerebral Fix]], [[Seventh Angel]], [[Acid Reign]] and [[Lawnmower Deth]]. 
* '''[[Brazilian thrash metal]]''': The Brazilian thrash scene is notable for producing a handful of bands that would become principal parts of thrash metal's prevalence in the early 1990s. There were three scenes where Brazilian thrash metal originated: Belo Horizonte (the most prominent), São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro. The most notable bands from this scene are [[Sepultura]], [[Dorsal Atlântica]], [[Executer]], [[Mutilator]], [[Chakal]], [[Korzus]], [[Holocausto (band)|Holocausto]], [[Claustrofobia (band)|Claustrofobia]], [[Torture Squad]], [[Ratos de Porão]], [[Sagrado Inferno]], [[Vulcano (band)|Vulcano]] and [[Sarcófago]].
* '''[[Teutonic thrash metal]]''': The German and Swiss regions have spawned dozens of bands since the mid-1980s that developed their own style. Their style was more aggressive than American and Canadian thrash. The most prominent bands from this scene are [[Kreator]], [[Destruction (band)|Destruction]], [[Sodom (band)|Sodom]], [[Tankard (band)|Tankard]], [[Celtic Frost]], [[Holy Moses]], [[Desaster]], [[Coroner (band)|Coroner]], [[Exumer]], [[Despair (band)|Despair]], [[Paradox (German band)|Paradox]], [[Messiah (Swiss band)|Messiah]], [[Assassin (German band)|Assassin]], [[Poltergeist (band)|Poltergeist]], [[Living Death (band)|Living Death]] and [[Sieges Even]] (who were originally called Sodom).
* '''Canadian thrash metal''': The Canadian region has seen numerous thrash metal bands create a unique blend of speed metal, progressive and hardcore punk into their music, influenced by a variety of acts such as [[Rush (band)|Rush]], [[Iron Maiden]], [[Judas Priest]], [[Motörhead]] and D.R.I., as well as fellow American thrash metal bands like Metallica and Slayer. [[Anvil (band)|Anvil]] and [[Exciter (band)|Exciter]] are considered to be the pioneers of this scene, while [[Voivod (band)|Voivod]], [[Sacrifice (band)|Sacrifice]], [[Razor (band)|Razor]], and [[Annihilator (band)|Annihilator]] are often referred to as the country's "Big Four". Notable crossover bands from the hardcore punk scene include West Coast bands Death Sentence and Beyond Possession.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/13-canadian-metal-albums-everyone-should-own/|title=13 Canadian Metal Albums Everyone Should Own|publisher=[[Kerrang!]]|date=2 May 2018|access-date=7 April 2021|archive-date=2 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502223048/https://www.kerrang.com/features/13-canadian-metal-albums-everyone-should-own/|url-status=live}}</ref> Other notable Canadian thrash metal bands include [[Infernäl Mäjesty]], [[Anonymus (band)|Anonymus]], [[Eudoxis]], [[Piledriver (band)|Piledriver]], [[Slaughter (Canadian band)|Slaughter]], [[Dead Brain Cells|DBC]] and [[Obliveon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worshipmetal.com/features/canadian-thrash-the-10-greatest-old-school-albums/|title=Canadian Thrash: The 10 Greatest Old School Albums|publisher=Worship Metal|date=1 December 2020|access-date=7 April 2021|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414110133/http://www.worshipmetal.com/features/canadian-thrash-the-10-greatest-old-school-albums/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''[[Australian thrash metal]]''': While not considered a "major" part of the worldwide thrash metal scene due to distance from the major Bay Area and Teutonic scenes, Australian thrash metal has had a fairly substantial following in overseas markets, while local audiences have always been difficult to gather. The most notable Australian thrash metal bands from the 1980s are [[Mortal Sin (band)|Mortal Sin]], [[Nothing Sacred (band)|Nothing Sacred]] and [[Hobbs' Angel of Death]].

==See also==
*[[List of thrash metal bands]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|last=Ekeroth|first=Daniel|year=2008|title=Swedish Death Metal|publisher=[[Bazillion Points Books]]|isbn=978-0-9796163-1-0}}
*{{cite book|last=Pillsbury|first=Glenn|title=Damage Incorporated: Metallica and the Production of Musical Identity|year=2006|publisher=[[Routledge]]|isbn=1-136-09122-X}}
*{{cite book|last=Sharpe-Young|first=Garry |year=2007a |title=Thrash Metal |publisher=Zonda Books Limited |isbn=978-0-9582684-3-1}}
*{{cite book|last=Sharpe-Young |first=Garry |title=Metal: A Definitive Guide |location=New Plymouth |publisher=Jawbone |year=2007b |isbn=978-1-906002-01-5}}
*{{cite book|last=Weinstein|first=Deena|year=2000|title=Heavy Metal: The Music and Its Culture|publisher=[[Da Capo Press]]|isbn=978-0-306-80970-5}}

{{heavy metal}}{{Hardcore punk}}{{extreme metal}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thrash Metal}}
[[Category:Thrash metal| ]]
[[Category:1980s in music]]
[[Category:1990s in music]]
[[Category:2000s in music]]
[[Category:20th-century music genres]]
[[Category:American styles of music]]
[[Category:British styles of music]]
[[Category:Extreme metal]]
[[Category:Heavy metal genres]]
[[Category:Reagan Era]]
==External links==
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