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[For Beginners] Start Here! A Collection of Classic Thrash Metal Songs
In the 1980s, a music genre called “thrash metal,” which emerged primarily in the United States, made a powerful impact on the music scene by fusing the speed of punk and hardcore with aggressive heavy metal.
Over time, various styles of thrash metal have appeared—from those showcasing intricate technical prowess to those incorporating melodic elements—making it a genre with a surprisingly diverse musical palette.
In this article, we’ll introduce some quintessential tracks that define thrash metal.
It’s a lineup of masterpieces we highly recommend to anyone looking to step into the world of thrash metal.
[For Beginners] Start Here! A Collection of Classic Thrash Metal Songs (1–10)
Angel Of DeathSLAYER
Among the bands known as the Thrash “Four Heavenly Kings,” also called the Big Four, Slayer produces the most evil sound of them all.
This track opens their 1986 masterpiece Reign in Blood, the album that made their name known around the world.
Not only is it a classic in the history of thrash metal, it’s an essential song in the broader history of heavy metal.
With bewilderingly complex riffs unleashed at blistering speed, punishing drums, and lyrics that sparked controversy, it’s a truly classic number that profoundly influenced death metal and bands known for extreme sounds.
Holy Wars…The Punishment DueMegadeth
A masterpiece packed to the brim with the appeal of Megadeth, who dub their musical style “intellectual thrash metal” and consistently craft songs woven from a band ensemble backed by standout technique—even among the so-called Big Four of thrash.
Released in 1990, it opens the hugely successful classic Rust in Peace and stands as one of their signature tracks.
The moment the intro guitar riff hits, countless metal kids can’t help but start headbanging.
Marty Friedman’s Japanese-influenced guitar phrases are the icing on the cake!
Caught In A MoshANTHRAX
Anthrax, one of the Big Four of thrash metal alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer.
Released in 1987, this masterpiece from their breakout album Among the Living—where they truly cemented their style—is a standout track.
It fuses fierce thrash riffs with the breakneck drive of punk and hardcore, making it a textbook example of crossover thrash.
It’s not just about speed—the dynamic shifts and ebb-and-flow of the arrangement are unbelievably cool.
Had a bad day? Crank this track at full volume!
Metal MilitiaMetallica
Metallica’s indispensable track “Metal Militia,” essential to any discussion of thrash metal, is an energetic song themed around loyalty to the metal community and a spirit of rebellion.
While it boasts some of the fastest tempos on the album, it also has the surprising background of being crafted as a gesture of gratitude to the fans.
The repeated guitar riff, reminiscent of a military march, is exhilarating to hear.
Since this section isn’t overly complex, you can fully savor the overwhelming power of the riff.
If you tune in to the unifying chorus, you’ll experience the unbridled fervor that defines early thrash in all its glory.
Over The WallTestament
Testament is a band that represents the Bay Area thrash scene centered on the U.
S.
West Coast.
This is the opening track from their 1987 debut album, The Legacy, and its thrilling structure and unexpectedly intricate twin-guitar harmonies proved they were far more than mere Metallica followers.
Although there was a time when the band’s future seemed uncertain due to the decline of thrash metal and vocalist Chuck Billy’s serious illness, they have continued to be highly active ever since.
MilkS.O.D
“Milk,” a track from the album “Speak English or Die” released in 1985 by the American crossover thrash band S.
O.
D.
Born from a side project by members of Anthrax, it’s an extremely provocative song brimming with humor and venom.
What stands out most is the drummer Charlie Benante’s storm-like blast beat! This drumming was so innovative for its time that its impact on subsequent music scenes is immeasurable.
Experience the overwhelming sense of speed packed into less than two minutes!
Kill as OneDEATH ANGEL
Death Angel is a band that carved out its own path by incorporating funk-inflected rhythms into thrash metal, but when they released their debut album The Ultra-Violence—while all the members were still in their teens—their style was an aggressive one, driven by razor-sharp guitar riffs.
Among those early tracks, the song Kill as One is renowned as a classic.
Even though it’s straightforward thrash metal, the refined song structure already hints at the distinctive character that would later fully blossom.