Best Bands In the Big Four of Thrash

The Top Ten
1 Megadeth Megadeth is an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. Megadeth was formed in 1983 by guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson, shortly after Mustaine was fired from Metallica. They have released 15 studio albums to date, and have gone through many lineup changes, with Dave Mustaine being the sole constant member.

They released their debut album “Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!” in 1985, but became successful after the release of “Peace Sells...But Who’s Buying?” in 1986. ...read more.

Megadeth has remained consistent
Megadeth has always made complex music and riffs
Master of puppets (one of my personal favorites) is a phenomenal song but its just power chords but holy wars is much more than that its music speaks for itself thrash metal is not just heading to power chords its much more than that!

I think megadeth is the best because Dave always had so much of a powerful and agressive style but never enough to ruin his songs. And I'm glad that people realize that and are not giving Metallica the top spot, because it's the Big Four of Thrash metal and Metalilica quit thrash a while ago.

the Dave's power as the frontman makes the band my favorite thrash band of all times
I started listening to them, with songs like "Symphony of Destruction", "Hangar 18" and "Peace Sells"

Megdath's albums are better than Metallica's. Even Megadeth's few hard rock albums are better then Metallica's. Get over it...Megadeth is better.

2 Metallica Metallica is an American Heavy/Thrash Metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup was James Hetfield (Vocalist and Rhythm guitarist), Dave Mustaine (Lead Guitar), Lars Ulrich (Drums), Ron McGovney (Bassist). The group came into mainstream from their Self-Titled album and the hit single "Enter Sandman".

With their first two albums, Kill 'Em All and Ride The Lightning reaching underground success, their third effort, Master of Puppets has since become one of the most important heavy metal albums ever, as it became the first thrash metal album to be certified platinum. The title track has since become the band's most played song live. ...read more.

Let's get this straight, I love Megadeth. Dave Mustaine is god to me, but, James has written ten times the amount of songs, and is an extremely talented guitarist in his own right. Could Mustaine have written "Fade to Black? " No. He considered himself to be all speed, all the time. But, you think Metallica can't go fast? Battery. Master of Puppets. Fght Fire with Fire. All way faster than I have ever heard Megadeth go. Lot's of people give Lars hate, but he has a point with Napster. However, he may be lacking in skill among drummers, but he is an extremely skilled drummer anyway. Also, he fits the band! Kirk, has spiraled into inevitable bad guitaristism, but just listen to Master of Puppets! Fad to Black! Hell, even One! He even ripped on the Black album! You may say I dwell in the 80's, and yes I certainly do way to often. But, just listen to Hardwired. Metallica is back, and they are ready to kick ass.

one of my favorite metal bands, sometimes I think I like them as same as Megadeth (or even more)... both are my favorite thrash bands, and it's so great they've played together; even though they have had some feuds
I started hearing them with a Motorhead's cover, "Overkill"... the song was so great, so I started to hearing them; also they were the first metal band I heard

The first metal band that really hooked me and the reason I love thrash.
Kill 'em all, Ride the lightning, Master of puppets,...And justice for all and of course the black album are filled to the brim with good songs and even the load albums have a few hidden gems. Even after some bad albums they are still my favorites.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to never never land.

Musically better songs that take me away to another place, but Megadeth were better at playing and as a "thrash" band. I usually don't even think of Metallica as thrash because their music was so far ahead of other bands at the time.

3 Slayer Slayer was an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California, formed in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. They rose to fame with their 1986 album Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the big four of thrash metal bands, the others being Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax. ...read more.

Here's list of the best album since 2006 ago
1. The best album of 2009 = 3rd. Endgame - Megadeth, 4th. World Painted Blood - Slayer,
2. The best album of 2007 = 7th. United Abomination - Megadeth
2. The best album of 2008 = Death Magnetic wasn't in the Thrash rule more
3. The best album of 2006 = 1st. Christ Illusion - Slayer

Metallica has sold out since The Black Album, even their Death Magnetic coudn't be in the Thrash Metal way more, caused those songs many HardRock style like in Reload and Load era.

Megadeth just has a great amazing guitar solo, but Dave sound is weak almost like childish,

Slayer is the most consistent with Thrash Metal way since their first album, Araya has loud scream also most aggressive style among Mustaine and Hetfield way, Dave Lombardo get back in Christ Illusion-World Painted Blood with awesome double-kick-pedal, King and Hanneman play faster on the amazing solo. SLayer wins... Slayer's Thrash Metal Rules

Check ...more

Slayer are thrash until the die and easily the most aggressive and manic. Kerry King may need to shut up, but man is the music worth his bull.

Would just like to say that Slayer is easily THE metal band. You don't become the most influential band for no reason.

Slayer, Megadeth, Early Metallica Only, Anthrax yeah, this list is an ultra failure

4 Anthrax Anthrax is an American thrash metal band from New York City, formed in 1981 by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker.

Comparison:
Anthrax: never released a bad album and with the new For all kings,they are way better than the rest of the big four.

Metallica:the first 5(I count the black album) are excellent, the rest is just awful.

Megadeth: got some serious argue. Peace sells,rust in peace and countdown to extinction. But at the same time,released two horrible albums and the recent dystopia is good,but just good.

Slayer: For me they didn't released any bad album. Diabolus in musica and divine intervention are just underrated. But compare repentless with For all kings and you will understand why anthrax is the best trash band of all time.

Although they are usually considered the worst in the big four they are by far my favourite just simply because they have so much awesome songs like Medusa, Caught in a mosh, Be all end all, Indians, madhouse and metal thrashing mad plus many more. m/

Even though I love Anthrax, I think these guys being included in the Big Four instead of bands like Overkill or Exodus is wrong.

Overall, Anthrax is great. I am tempted to say Slayer, but I think I'll go with Anthrax.

5 Testament Testament is an American thrash metal band from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1983 under the name Legacy, the band consists of vocalist Chuck Billy, guitarists Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick, bassist Steve DiGiorgio and drummer Gene Hoglan.

Metallica is boring. Testament should take their throne.

Big Four or not, Testament is better than Metallica.

They should be Anthrax's replacement.

Definitely belongs in the Big 5.

6 Exodus Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1979 in Richmond, California. Spanning a career of 37 years, Exodus has gone through numerous lineup changes, two extended hiatuses, and the deaths of two former band members.

They may not be in the "Big Four" but Gary Holt (who's been playing in Slayer for years) is their guitarist!

Baloff and Zouza Exodus laid the groundwork for thrash, and Duke perfected it. What's not to love about this band.

Um they aren't in the Big 4

7 Sodom Sodom is a German thrash metal band from Gelsenkirchen, formed in 1981. They have gone through many line-up changes, leaving bassist vocalist Tom Angelripper as the only constant member.
8 Overkill Overkill is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1980 in New Jersey. They have gone through many line-up changes, with singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and bassist D.D.

It's either this band, Testament or Exodus that should be included in the Big 5 of thrash metal.

9 Kreator Kreator is a German thrash metal band from Essen. Their style of music is similar to that of their compatriots Destruction, Sodom and Tankard; along with those three bands, Kreator has been referred to as one of the "big four" of Teutonic thrash metal, and they are often credited with helping pioneer ...read more.
10 Tankard Tankard is a thrash metal band from Frankfurt am Main, Germany, founded in 1982. Along with the bands Kreator, Destruction and Sodom, Tankard is often considered one of the "The Big Teutonic Four" of Teutonic thrash metal.
The Contenders
11 Destruction Destruction is a German thrash metal band. They are considered one of the "The Big Four" of the German thrash metal scene, the others being Kreator, Sodom and Tankard.
12 Metal Church Metal Church is an American heavy metal band. They originally formed in San Francisco, California in 1980 before relocating to Aberdeen, Washington the following year and briefly using the name Shrapnel.
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