Top 10 Creators of Thrash Metal
Queen are an English rock band formed in London in 1970. The original lineup was Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals), and John Deacon (bass guitar, vocals). Before forming into Queen, Brian May and Roger Taylor had played together in a band named Smile. Freddie Mercury was a fan of Smile and encouraged them to experiment with more elaborate stage and recording techniques. He then joined the band in 1970, suggested "Queen" as a new band name, and adopted his familiar stage name. John Deacon was also recruited to complete the line-up. ...read more. I was surprised when I read about that for the first time but yes - this song was written by Freddie in 1968 and recorded a bit later when he joined Queen. Metallica did a cover.
"Stone Cold Crazy" is considered the first Thrash song.
Because Freddie Mercury was a genius!
Venom are an English extreme metal band formed in 1979 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Coming to prominence towards the end of the new wave of British heavy metal, Venom's first two albums—Welcome to Hell and Black Metal—are considered a major influence on thrash metal and extreme metal in general. Welcome to Hell was the first Thrash album ever
Anvil are a Canadian heavy metal band from Toronto, Ontario, formed in 1978. The band consists of Steve "Lips" Kudlow, Robb Reiner and Chris Robertson. "666" is considered the first Thrash song by some.
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.
Kill 'Em All is one of the earliest Thrash albums. Metallica went on to popularize Thrash
Motörhead were an English heavy metal band formed in June 1975 by bassist, singer, and songwriter Ian Fraser "Lemmy" Kilmister, who was the sole constant member; guitarist and songwriter Larry Wallis; and drummer Lucas Fox. The band's harsh vocals and fast paced tempos helped inspire speed metal and thrash metal. Their early Speed Metal influenced Thrash
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. Overkill did fast covers of Hardcore Punk songs in the early 80s
Accept is a German heavy metal band from the town of Solingen, originally assembled by former vocalist Udo Dirkschneider, guitarist Wolf Hoffmann and bassist Peter Baltes. I'm not sure about Accept and thrash... But I'm sure about Thin Lizzy and Tygers of Pan Tang and added them below.
Tygers of Pan Tang are a heavy metal band, part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement. They formed in 1978 in Whitley Bay, England, and were active until 1987. The band reformed in 1999 and continue to record and perform. A very obscure band - I heard of them in 2011 in a metal documentary (Metal Evolution). I got the impression they were pretty popular in The UK in the late 70s/early 80s and kinda influential.
They are not a thrash band but they sound very thrashy and I was pleasantly surprised. Their songs were covered by thrash bands and this confirms my impression.
Try:
Hellbound (1981) - covered by Heathen, American thrash metal band.
Gangland (1981) - covered by Kreator in 1987, German thrash metal band.
Thin Lizzy are an Irish rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Their leader Phil Lynott was composer or co-composer of almost all of the band's songs, and the first black Irishman to achieve commercial success in the field of rock music. Thin Lizzy's most successful songs, "Whiskey in the Jar", "Jailbreak" and "The Boys Are Back in Town", were all major international hits which are still played regularly on hard rock and classic rock radio stations. An Irish rock-to-metal band formed in Dublin in 1969.
Try 'Thunder And Lightning' (no, Thin Lizzy were not influenced by Metallica's Ride the Lightning - Metallica were influenced by Thin Lizzy).
'Thunder And Lightning' was released in March 1983, which was even several months earlier than Kill Em All.
Some of the biggest Thin Lizzy fans are Metallica, Iron Maiden, Vader and Mastodon, to name a few. They all state they were influenced by Thin Lizzy and did many covers.
Angel Witch are a British heavy metal band which formed in London, England in 1977 as part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement.