Define the styles of thrash

[Hammer of Might]

So it's still a very popular genre, but what are the defining aspects of the different sub-genres within it.

You often see people talking of "Bay Area Thrash" or German thrash, so let's have a go at classifying the different styles, periods, or whatever.

I expect a lot of people just think of thrash as a homgenous group of bands playing fast aggressive riffs and drums, but there is actually more definition within the genre, which is clear from listening to various bands.

So define the styles of the different areas, and also have a stab at the changing style of thrash through the years - ie. what are the characteristics of early thrash, 90s thrash, modern-day thrash, etc. - it could be quite interesting and informative.

 

[skeptik]

If only I wasn't lazy...typically, Bay Area leaned to a more melodic side a la Heathen, Testament, Exodus, etc., while German thrash used harsh vocals, etc. And stuff.

 

[Hammer of Might]

yeah I know it's a bit of an effort, but if we could compile some rough factors for various categories that would be useful

 

[CF87]

German thrash bands tend to sound a lot like Slayer to me. They usually are more intence and raw than florida thrash. Except early Forbidden which makes an exception from florida. Really that's all I can say.

 

[skeptik]

Forbidden is one of the more melodic Thrash bands. And it's CALIFORNIA NOT FLORIDA.

 

[Life Sucks]

Bay Area thrash is not as heavy, bearing some similarities to heavy metal, and usually has clean vocals and a sung vocal melody. German thrash has harsh vocals and no vocal melody, with heavier, faster, more aggressive riffs. Brazilian thrash is basically the same style as German thrash, as are bands like Drunkard and Necrodeath. Some Bay Area bands, such as Sadus and Dark Angel, play German style thrash. I prefer German thrash.

 

[Hammer of Might]

So Bay Area = Exodus, Testament, Overkill, etc?

 

[Lies and Perfidy]

Except Overkill's from the east coast.

East Coast thrash is more punk-influenced, and tends to slow down in the middle, whereas Bay Area thrash is more closely tied to classic/speed metal and more often than not speeds up on the instrumental breaks.

 

[Hammer of Might]

ok - give examples for each grouping as well

 

[skeptik]

Also, the Brazilian scene (of old) was more apt to seemlessly integrate Death Metal and first-wave Black Metal influences not terribly unlike very early Sodom.

 

[skeptik]

Bay Area - Exodus, Heathen, Megadeth
NY - Nuclear Assault, Anthrax, Overkill
German - Kreator, Destruction, Sodom, Exumer, neverendinglistof80millionbands
Brazilian - Sepultura, Holocausto, Sextrash (REFORMED wooooo), Sarcofago, Expulser, Chakal, Mutilator

 

[Hammer of Might]

Other than Sepultura I know very little about the Brazilian thrash scene - what other groups were there forming this style?

EDIT: ^^ ok

 

[Hammer of Might]

Bay Area - Exodus, Heathen, Megadeth
NY - Nuclear Assault, Anthrax, Overkill
German - Kreator, Destruction, Sodom, Exumer, neverendinglistof80millionbands
Brazilian - Sepultura, Holocausto, Sextrash (REFORMED wooooo), Sarcofago, Expulser, Chakal, Mutilator

fair enough, but surely accoding to Pyrus's descriptions, Anthrax would fit more into the Bay Area style (regardless of their location), with their early sound "more closely tied to classic/speed metal"?

 

[skeptik]

Earlier on, to an extent, but they certainly characterize the scene quite well with the thrash breaks and such.

 

[CF87]

Forbidden has some melodic solos,etc.. "Forbidden Evil" still is intence raw thrash to me anyways.

 

[skeptik]

You need to listen to some intense, raw Thrash. Then you'll see that Forbidden is firmyl cemented in the melodic end of the the Thrash spectrum.

 

[CF87]

Hit me up. I could use some new thrash.

Stuff I'm into already(so you don't recomend stuff I know)

Forbidden-Forbidden Evil,Twisted Into Form
Sepultura-Beneath The Remains
Slayer-Show No Mercy,Hell Awaits,Reign In Blood,Seasons In The Abyss
Overkill-Horroscope
Metallica-Kill 'Em All
Devastation-Idolatry
Kreator-Plessure To Kill
Sodom-Persecution Mania
Testament-The Legacy
Destruction-Eternal Devastation
Coroner-R.I.P,No More Color
Exhorder-Slaughter in The Vatican

 

[skeptik]

Listen to some of the Brazilian bands I mentioned for some more raw stuff. Intensity is at a maximum with Expulser in particular.

 

[Life Sucks]

So Bay Area = Exodus, Testament, Overkill, etc?

Yeah. Even though Overkill are from the East Coast, they play Bay Area Style thrash. Ironically, Overkill are my favorite Bay Area style thrash band. They are better than Exodus, Testament, old Metallica, etc.

 

[Thraxz]

Bay area thrash is by far my favorite. (I just learned that.)