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Big Four of Thrash
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Among mainstream and underground circles, the Big Four of Thrash Metal are generally considered to be:
Since thrash metal's inception, these four bands have been the genre's most influential and recognized artists, thus the coined term 'The Big Four of Thrash'.
While the first true origins of thrash are still highly disputed, it is for certain that 'The Big Four' pioneered and shaped this style of metal to a major extent, arguably more so than all other bands to come. Even though there are other bands that are still popularly known for their efforts (due to their commercial and critical success), such as Testament, Exodus, Overkill, Annihilator, Kreator, and Venom, it is widely accepted that they are not part of 'The Big Four of Thrash'.
Without any doubt, the most commercially successfully heavy metal band of all time, Metallica are viewed as the 'biggest' of 'The Big Four'. With more than 90 million albums sold worldwide, they are the biggest selling metal act ever.
| Metallica | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Years active | 1981 – present |
| Members | |
| Past members |
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Metallica formed on October 28, 1981, and ever since have been hugely influential to the face of metal. The very first line-up consisted of James Hetfield (vocals/guitar), Lars Ulrich (drums), Lloyd Grant (lead guitar), and Ron McGovney (bass). This initial line-up did not last long, and never released a full-length album, but it did signal the start of the band's amazing journey to stardom. In 1981, a very early version of the song Hit the Lights was recorded for the Metal Massacre compilation, and yet, the band failed to get signed to any labels.
Sensing things needed to be changed, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich decided to fire Lloyd Grant in 1982, and in turn recruited a young Dave Mustaine (now of Megadeth fame). With this line-up in place, Metallica recorded the classic No Life 'Til Leather demo. In underground metal circles the demo was an instant hit, sparking major interest in the band's fresh new sound. They played raw, energetic metal, a sound that was largely unheard of at the time. It was young, amateur thrash metal, but it showed a band with enormous potential.
Towards the end of 1982, Ron McGovney was replaced with the enigmatic Cliff Burton, and what would be considered the first of three 'power line-ups' was formed: Hetfield and Mustaine both sharing vocal and guitar duties, Lars Ulrich on drums, and Cliff Burton playing bass. Many of the songs that would be released on their first full-length (and some on their second) were written with the band in this format. An untitled demo (commonly called the Megaforce Demo) featuring the songs Whiplash and No Remorse was produced, and this led to the band signing with Megaforce Records.
Upon signing with their new label, the band decided that one last change needed to be made. Dave Mustaine allegedly suffered from a serious alcohol addiction, and with the band on the brink of recording their first album, they needed someone who was less unstable. Thus, Mustaine was ejected, and Exodus guitarist Kirk Hammet was quickly recruited. This was the second 'power line-up', and what most long-time fans would come to consider the most innovative and influential Metallica. In 1983, they recorded their debut album, Kill 'Em All, and thus Metallica become metal giants.
Under the guise of a thrash metal band, Metallica released another two highly successful CD's: the notorious Ride The Lightning, and the critically acclaimed Master Of Puppets. Both albums cemented the band's place in metal history as a class act, with hit songs such as Creeping Death, For Whom The Bell Tolls, Battery, and Damage, Inc. Arguably, these two releases confirmed that Metallica were the band to spearhead metal's movement into the mainstream.
In 1986, however, tragedy struck the band as Cliff Burton was killed in a freak tour bus accident. His death occurred in the final leg of the band's Master of Puppets Tour, and for months following, the band's future was highly uncertain. Yet Metallica quickly rebounded, and soon hired Flotsam And Jetsam bassist Jason Newsted. This was the third 'power line-up', and with the group in this format, they would release both an EP, Garage Inc., and the classic 1988 album ...And Justice for All. While the album still retained a lot of thrash elements, it emphasised on progressive elements only vaguely introduced in previous albums (long songs, uncommon time signatures, increasngly complex riffs and drum beats, etc). This is most notably seen in the songs One, Blackened, and Dyer's Eve. Still, it is most commonly considered Metallica's last thrash album to date.
| Megadeth | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Years active | 1983 – 2002 2004 - present |
| Members | |
| Past members | |
Members: Tom Araya: Bass/Vocals Jeff Hanneman: Guitar Kerry King: Guitar Dave Lombardo: Drums