Beginner’s Guide to Metal Genres

THRASH METAL

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FREQUENT TRAITS

• Fast tempos
• Aggression
• Low register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work
• Lyrics often deal with social issues

HISTORY

• Where it came from
  • It’s origins can be traced back to the late 1970s and early 80s with the influence of NWOBHM and Speed Metal
  • Was ‘created’ and popularized by the “Big Four” (ANTHRAX, MEGADETH, METALLICA, and SLAYER)
• Where it is today
  • As the first form of extreme metal, Thrash developed a dedicated following in the 80s. Though no longer at it’s peak popularity it continues to have amongst the most loyal fanbases and one of the most popular metal genres.

BANDS

• METALLICA
• SLAYER
• ANTHRAX
• KREATOR
• MEGADETH
• TESTAMENT
• OVERKILL

SUB-GENRES

• Crossover Thrash (POWER TRIP)
• Deathrash (PESTILENCE)
• Groove Metal (PANTERA)

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