Thrash Metal Revival

During the 2000s, thrash metal experienced a revival of sorts. In the 1990s, the subgenre had died down a little to make way for newer, more extreme types of heavy metal. Many of the more mainstream thrash metal groups, such as Metallica and Megadeth, took on more of a hard rock approach in order to try to compete with grunge. Meanwhile, some thrash metal bands, such as Slayer, Testament and Exodus, stuck to their roots, but struggled to survive due to fans gaining more of an interest in new, heavier styles of metal.  Others groups like Destruction, Dark Angel, Vio-lence and Death Angel just couldn’t compete, so they disappeared entirely.

By the mid-2000s, thrash metal was cool again. Many fans had missed the passion of the music and longed to re-experience the mayhem that thrash metal brought to their youth, so new thrash metal bands started to emerge and old ones went back to their roots. Listed below are my ten favorite albums from the thrash metal revival movement. Take a look!

10. Death Angel - Killing Season

Death Angel was a really talented thrash metal band from the 1980s, but the band was always dragged down by the youth of its members. When Death Angel re-emerged in the 2000s after having broken up in the early 1990s, it sounded like a totally different band. The music was reminiscent of old Death Angel, but it was so much more mature. Weak link Mark Osgueda suddenly became one of the band’s biggest assets due the maturation in his voice. Killing Season has thus far been the highlight of Death Angel’s work since its reactivation, and is, in my opinion, the band's best album ever.

9. Megadeth - United Abominations

Megadeth has had three fantastic modern thrash metal albums: The System Has Failed, United Abominations and Endgame. My favorite is United Abominations. The album sounds really natural for Megadeth and is a great combination of the band’s work in the 1980s and the early 1990s. It’s a catchy thrash metal album that never tries too hard to impress its listeners. United Abominations is, in my opinion, the most underrated Megadeth.

8. Anthrax - Worship Music

Worship Music speaks for itself. Featuring the return of Joey Belladonna, the album sounds like Anthrax hasn’t missed a beat with its old singer. Worship Music is a great album by a band whose quality never suffered too much. Rob Caggiano did a great job producing the record too, and really motivated everyone to play their hearts out.

7. Warbringer - Worlds Torn Asunder

Warbringer is a newer thrash metal band that sounds like a combination of old-school Slayer and Exodus. This record is the band during its prime, and is heavy as hell. The band members all sound really pissed and it adds to the album’s intensity. That album opener, “Living Weapon,” is one of my favorite thrash metal songs ever. SO BRUTAL!

6. Cavalera Conspiracy - Inflikted

The Cavalera brothers didn’t play together for a long time after Max left Sepultura.  However, when the brothers finally reunited on Inflikted, all hell broke loose. This album features outstanding musicianship from everyone involved and is better than anything that modern day Sepultura has ever put out. If you’re a fan of Max Cavalera, even a little, this album is really worth listening to. It’s awesome!

5. Kreator - Phantom Antichrist 

Kreator has really done a good job at putting out memorable albums during the 2000s. The group’s most recent effort, Phantom Antichrist, is its best modern thrash metal album yet. The band still sounds great and will hopefully keep pummeling the ears of its fans for many years to come. Also, THAT ALBUM COVER IS FUCKING AWESOME! Look it up!

4. Battlecross - Pursuit of Honor

Battlecross is the newest band on this list. Pursuit of Honor combines thrash metal with melodic death metal in a way that has never been done before. Battlecross’ music is more passionate and exciting than the majority of heavy metal music that is coming out now. This album is worthy of all the praise it receives and should be checked out by thrash metal fans, as well as fans of groups such as At the Gates and Children of Bodom. Battlecross’ music does not disappoint.

3. Skeletonwitch - Beyond the Permafrost 

Hailing from Athens, Ohio, Skeletonwitch is one of the best modern thrash metal bands around. The group combines thrash metal and black metal in a way that no other group can emulate. The band's live performances are outstanding and the music is empowering. Beyond the Permafrost has become the group’s classic record, and it is one that many metalheads will surely be listening to for decades to come. 

2. Exodus - Exhibit B: The Human Condition

Exodus has done a brilliant job of refining its sound in the 2000s. Gary Holt’s songwriting abilities are incredible, and each song on this album is really memorable. Exodus is still creating classics, and it is evident with this record, which was released only three years ago. The band still sounds so youthful and alive even though the members have aged significantly. Singer Rob Dukes is doing a phenomenal job of filling massive shoes, and he has really helped to give this band new life. Exodus is one of the few old thrash metal bands that is currently putting out records that are better than some of its old work from the 1980s. Exhibit B: The Human Condition is incredible, and is a modern thrash metal masterpiece. 

1. Overkill - Ironbound

Overkill is unbelievable. This band is always so overlooked, despite the fact that it's one of the best thrash metal bands around. Overkill combines old school speed metal with thrash metal, and has been creating some of the most exciting, fast metal albums of the last decade. Ironbound is my favorite recent Overkill record, but the last three have all really been phenomenal, and are better than most of the rest of the albums on this list. Ironbound is a memorable record from top to bottom and is a must-hear album for every metalhead.