I was wondering who you guys consider the first thrash band. Please leave your comments/opinions. Here is my opinion (sorry if it's a little wordy):
A lot of people say that Motörhead was the first thrash band because of the way they introduced speed to metal with songs like “Overkill” (from 1979). I would say that Motörhead is not a thrash band; they are more of a speed metal band. Yes, there is a difference. Speed metal is cleaner, with less emphasis on techniques like tremolo picking and shredding guitar solos. “Overkill” obviously features prominent double-bass drumming, a common technique in both thrash and speed metal. However, the rhythm guitar in “Overkill” relies mainly on chords rather than fast picking. Even songs such as Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades” (1980) and Venom’s “Witching Hour” (1981) didn’t quite reach the intensity of thrash metal.
Songs like Metallica’s “Whiplash” (from demos in 1982) were the first real thrash metal songs. “Whiplash” has a little bit of double bass in the intro, but the most important element is the guitar. James Hetfield’s tremolo picking, Dave Mustaine’s (and later Kirk Hammett’s) shredding solos, and Lars Ulrich’s rapid drum beats set the tone. Hetfield’s barked vocals were a key element of the sound, although not necessary to be considered thrash metal (other bands such as Anthrax with Joey Belladonna, and even later Metallica were thrash metal with melodic vocals).
Of course, Metallica was only one of the first true thrash metal bands—some others include Exodus, Slayer, Overkill, and Anthrax. Unfortunately, the thrash scene was still very underground in the early 80s, and bootlegs and tape-trading were rampant, so there is no way to tell which thrash band was first, although the first official thrash metal demo was Metallica’s No Life ‘til Leather (1982), followed by Exodus’ 1982 Demo. I asked Brian Slagel who the first thrash band was and he said he didn't know, probably Metallica or Exodus. The first official thrash metal album was also Metallica, with 1983’s Kill ‘Em All, with Slayer’s Show No Mercy arriving later that year. There was no official first thrash metal band, but Metallica released the first official demo and official full-length album in the genre.
A lot of people say that Motörhead was the first thrash band because of the way they introduced speed to metal with songs like “Overkill” (from 1979). I would say that Motörhead is not a thrash band; they are more of a speed metal band. Yes, there is a difference. Speed metal is cleaner, with less emphasis on techniques like tremolo picking and shredding guitar solos. “Overkill” obviously features prominent double-bass drumming, a common technique in both thrash and speed metal. However, the rhythm guitar in “Overkill” relies mainly on chords rather than fast picking. Even songs such as Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades” (1980) and Venom’s “Witching Hour” (1981) didn’t quite reach the intensity of thrash metal.
Songs like Metallica’s “Whiplash” (from demos in 1982) were the first real thrash metal songs. “Whiplash” has a little bit of double bass in the intro, but the most important element is the guitar. James Hetfield’s tremolo picking, Dave Mustaine’s (and later Kirk Hammett’s) shredding solos, and Lars Ulrich’s rapid drum beats set the tone. Hetfield’s barked vocals were a key element of the sound, although not necessary to be considered thrash metal (other bands such as Anthrax with Joey Belladonna, and even later Metallica were thrash metal with melodic vocals).
Of course, Metallica was only one of the first true thrash metal bands—some others include Exodus, Slayer, Overkill, and Anthrax. Unfortunately, the thrash scene was still very underground in the early 80s, and bootlegs and tape-trading were rampant, so there is no way to tell which thrash band was first, although the first official thrash metal demo was Metallica’s No Life ‘til Leather (1982), followed by Exodus’ 1982 Demo. I asked Brian Slagel who the first thrash band was and he said he didn't know, probably Metallica or Exodus. The first official thrash metal album was also Metallica, with 1983’s Kill ‘Em All, with Slayer’s Show No Mercy arriving later that year. There was no official first thrash metal band, but Metallica released the first official demo and official full-length album in the genre.
