Into the Pit – – A Thrash Starter Pack 

Thrash may be the frothing mad dog at the Heavy music pound, but make no mistake: Metal’s biggest subgenre is not just some mindless, savage beast. Bred from the stock of New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Punk, and Doom, the Thrash mutt is akin to Cerberus, the 3-headed hound of Hades. One head growls thought-provoking social and personal commentary, one spooks you with cataclysmic and occult horror imagery, and the last charges you with exhilarated release – – but all of them snarl at you with aggression, sarcasm, anger, enthusiasm, spite, ‘tude, and ferocity above their spiked collars. All three heads have a strong bite as well as a deafening bark. This music tends toward abrasiveness, full of muted power chords, dissonant notes and minor keys, thunderous, acrobatic drums, and powerful vocals across all ranges, from down in the gutter with the rest of the trash up to the face in the sky. 

But all of those are descriptors and guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Thrash’s GOAT songwriters have also been known to deliver ballads, Prog-adjacent epics, Radio Rock, and occasional funk too – – even some forays into Rap/Hip-Hop (Looking at you, Anthrax). 

Thrash is past its 40th year of existence; it’s way too big, diverse, and storied to be summed up in one article. Much has been made and debated of Thrash’s Big 4: Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth, and Slayer. They all hit superstardom in their careers – – business has been good. 

What we’ll give you here is a starter pack for beginners. We’ll break it up along the 3 shades of Thrash, with 10-or-so songs in each category to get you introduced. Each group will include a few from the Big 4, plus a few from the legions of great bands beyond them.

“Dude, you don’t know anything. . . Any list without Moshskull and the Legion of Teeth – Blood Society Anachronismal Fist is bullshit. . .” Yes, there are millions of great songs and excellent bands out there. This isn’t a comprehensive list of every goddamn song. It’s a starter pack for Thrash newcomers. Feel free to suggest your own favorites on social media. Hopefully these selections will foster appreciation and lead to further great discoveries. Most, but not all will be pulled from the distant past. Step a little closer, if you please.  

Social. 

Forget the mainstream’s perception of Thrash players and fans as meatheads in denim and leather. Mustaine, Hetfield, Blitz, Billy, Ian, Fink, King, et al.  have often been the harshest and keenest social critics. Acerbic, fatalistic, sarcastic – – but observant, outspoken, and pissed off: This is where the “fuck you” Punk aesthetic shines through. Why don’t you think for yourself? 

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Nuclear Assault – Critical Mass
Nuclear Assault – Brainwashed
Sepultura – Arise
Sepultura – Refuse/Resist
Megadeth – Hook in Mouth
Megadeth – Peace Sells
Anthrax – A.I.R.
Anthrax – In My World
Metallica – Disposable Heroes
Heathen – Pray for Death
Forbidden – Parting of the Ways/Infinite
Gothic Slam – Who Died and Made You God?
Suicidal Tendencies – Pledge Your Allegiance
Testament – Greenhouse Effect

Scary. 

Thrash’s players and fans were raised on unhealthy doses of 70s and 80s Horror films, alongside EC Comics and Stephen King novels – – and the genre was born in the midst of the 1980s Satanic Panic. They love to frighten you with cataclysmic Horror, occult visions, and Burnt Offerings. Frozen eyes stare deep in your mind as you die. 

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Overkill – Overkill II: The Nightmare Continues
Slayer – Hell Awaits
Slayer – Raining Blood
Slayer – Seasons in the Abyss
Possessed – Graven
Possessed – The Eyes of Horror
Megadeth – The Conjuring
Testament – Alone in the Dark
Flotsam & Jetsam – Hammerhead
Destruction – Bestial Invasion
Razor – Evil Invaders
Anthrax – Among the Living
Heathen – World’s End
Annihilator – Alice in Hell
Metallica – The Thing That Should Not Be
Wargasm – Revenge
Sodom – Agent Orange
Vio-lence – Eternal Nightmare
Helstar – Awaken Unto Darkness

Exhilaration. 

Could also be interpreted as Chaotic anarchy. Whether the tempos veer into breakneck Speed Metal or plodding kaiju stomps, these songs fire up the pit. Face the music, now the time has come. 

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Kreator – Flag of Hate
Metallica – Damage, Inc.
Metallica – Whiplash
Metallica – My Apocalypse
S.O.D. – March of the S.O.D.
S.O.D. – Milano Mosh
Overkill – Powersurge
Overkill – Electro-Violence
Overkill – Elimination
Suicidal Tendencies – You Can’t Bring Me Down
Slayer – War Ensemble
Slayer – Angel of Death
Anthrax – Panic
Anthrax – Caught in a Mosh
D.R.I. – Beneath the Wheel
Testament – Trial By Fire
Testament – Into the Pit
Exodus – The Toxic Waltz
Exodus – Bonded By Blood
Destruction – Thrash Til Death
Death Angel – The Ultra-Violence
Sepultura – Roots Bloody Roots

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So pop this tape into your boombox, bang your head against the stage, and start the circle pit.
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Or dig the playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2ruxs0jzwktuNgAG9uSbyD?si=Ic7C4PG2S1-idNcqX0D3Xg&pi=IcU9v-c-QS6f1
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Thrash ‘Til Death!
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Jack Mangan has been writing for the Metal Hall of Fame since 2020.He’s also known in the Metal world as lead author/project runner for the “Am I Evil?” graphic novel, as a journalist with MetalAsylum.net and the official Metal Hall of Fame. and also as co-host of the popular (sporadic these days) Metal Hall of Fame and MetalAsylum.net livestreams with Rich Catino. He’s made a few guest appearances as a panelist on The Metal Voice. He’s currently the Executive Director for Support Life And Music (S.L.A.M.), to benefit musician mental health. Friend him on Facebook if you can find him, but be warned: he’s not great about checking Facebook Messenger.