Top 10 Best American Thrash Metal Bands

The Top Ten

  1. Megadeth

    Megadeth is an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. The band was formed in 1983 by guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson, shortly after Mustaine was dismissed from Metallica. They have released 16 studio albums to date and have undergone numerous lineup changes, with... read more

    One of the greatest bands of all time. Mustaine is a living legend.

    They reign supreme.

  2. Metallica

    Metallica is an American heavy and thrash metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup included James Hetfield (vocals and rhythm guitar), Dave Mustaine (lead guitar), Lars Ulrich (drums), and Ron McGovney (bass). They first gained mainstream fame with their 1991 self-titled album (The Black Album... read more

    The first four albums are gold. They made masterful thrash albums. Megadeth also made their first four albums gold. But Metallica was never superior to Megadeth. They are a great band, but the only reason they did better (and I know Megadeth did attempt this) is that they sold out and continued to make dad rock. They rode on the success of The Black Album.

    Now, they did release Death Magnetic and Hardwired. Death Magnetic was a subpar album with bad mixing and sluggish thrash. Hardwired was better, but the solos were bad.

  3. Slayer

    Slayer is 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 are considered one of the Big Four of thrash metal, along with Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax.... read more

    Absolute chaos. Thrash at its best.

  4. Exodus

    Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1979 in Richmond, California. Over a career spanning more than 45 years, Exodus has undergone numerous lineup changes and two extended hiatuses. The band is considered part of the Bay Area thrash metal scene.

    I think Exodus did really well and can be argued to have deserved a spot in the Big Four.

  5. Testament

    Testament is an American thrash metal band from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1983 under the name Legacy, the band currently consists of vocalist Chuck Billy, guitarists Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick, bassist Steve DiGiorgio, and drummer Gene Hoglan. Testament's lineup has varied over the years,... read more

  6. Overkill

    Overkill is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1980 in Old Bridge Township, New Jersey. The band has gone through many lineup changes, with singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and bassist D.D. Verni remaining the only constant members... read more

  7. Anthrax

    Anthrax is an American thrash metal band from New York City, formed in 1981 by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker. The band is considered one of the Big Four of thrash metal, alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth. They are known for albums such as Among the Living and for pioneering the... read more

  8. Nuclear Assault

    Nuclear Assault is an American thrash metal band from New York City, formed in 1984 by bassist Dan Lilker after he left Anthrax. They released five full-length albums and toured extensively throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. The band split in 1995, briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2002, before... read more

  9. Dark Angel

    Dark Angel is an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1981. Their music is known for being extremely fast and heavy, featuring lengthy songs with frequent tempo changes and extended instrumental sections. This intense style earned them the nickname "the L.A. Caffeine Machine."... read more

    Faster and heavier than the average thrash standards.

  10. Death Angel

    Death Angel is an American thrash metal band from Daly City, California, initially active from 1982 to 1991 and reformed in 2001. The band has released nine studio albums, two demo tapes, one box set, and two live albums. They are considered part of the Bay Area thrash metal scene.

    11. The Newcomers
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    Vio-Lence

    Vio-lence is an American thrash metal band formed in 1985 in the San Francisco Bay Area. They released several demo tapes, one EP, and three LPs between 1985 and 1993. Their most stable lineup included Phil Demmel and Robb Flynn on guitars, Deen Dell on bass, Perry Strickland on drums, and Sean Killian... read more

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    Sacred Reich

    13. The Contenders

  13. Havok

    Havok is an American thrash metal band from Denver, Colorado. Formed in 2004, their members currently consist of David Sanchez, Nick Schendzielos, Pete Webber, and Reece Scruggs. The band is known for its aggressive sound and politically charged lyrics.

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