In this my take, I'm going to be counting down the top 5 best albums of Bay area thrash in my opinion. For those who are familiar with the thrash scene, you know the bands of the bay area & some of these bands would probably be on your own personal ranking list. But hey let's get started with the count down.
At number 5
Exodus - Bonded by blood 1985
This album is a classic and to me is an essential album in the thrash scene. The debut album for this band. you have it Gary holt the lead guitarist who delivers some killer solos along with some killer riffs. And Paul baloff was a great vocalists who delivered his own style of vocals which could best be described as an angry maniac which makes all the more better. Top 3 songs from this album for me are Bonded by blood, And then there were none & my personel favorite Exodus. Great album & one new comers should definitely check out.
At number 4
Forbidden - Forbidden Evil 1988
This is yet another great debut edition to thrash & the bay area. When I first heard this album, I was instantly hooked & really liked the style of this band. This album is filled with amazing riffs & great solos. But the one thing that stands out to me about this album are the vocals of singer Russ Anderson. His vocals are unique for thrash. The vocals lean more towards power metal with high vocal range, but it works very well with this album & I think that's what makes it unique. Favorite 3 tracks are Chalice of blood, Follow me & the best in my opinion which is Through the eyes of glass. It's definitely an album worth owning on vinyl or CD.
At number 3
Testament - The New Order 1988
I had to include Testament on this list. This band was a mist & they're very prominent in the thrash scene. The New order is the 2nd album by this band & it's my favorite. I know for a lot of people The legacy is their favorite album of this band, but for me it's the New order. Great follow up album to a great debut. Vocalist Chuck Billy is outstanding in this album with his style of vocals. You can hear the anger & intensity in his voice throughout this album. You also have Alex Skolnick lead guitarist who is awesome & very underrated. His can deliver kick ass riffs that'll have you headbanging & of course the solos as well. Favorite 3 on here are The pit, Trial by fire & Eerie inhabitants which is my # 1 favorite & the opening track for this album. Great stuff 🤘.
At number 2
Metallica - Kill em All 1983
Does this album even need an introduction? The great debut by Metallica themselves. Arguebly the birth of thrash metal. That's up for debate. But yeah this album is definitely an important landmark for thrash. It's my favorite record by Metallica & is the most thrashiest of anything the band ever produced. The line up James hetfield, Kirk hammot, Lars Ulrich & the great Cliff burton (RIP). This album has some amazing riffs for something new at the time & good songwriting like the song Four horseman for example. I can only imagine how it must have been to hear an album like this in 1983. It was innovative & paved the way for something new that would be coming to the metal scene. Top 3 tracks are Hit the lights (the opening track), Four horseman & the song I like the most which is No Remorse. It was hard to choose between No Remorse & the song Whiplash which is the most thrashiest track on the album. But this album is a must own in your metal catalogue for sure.
And at number 1
Vio-lence - Eternal Nightmare 1988
This fucking album takes my number one spot as the best bay area thrash album. Very underrated, but a bad ass album it is. When I heard this album, I remember my ears ringing from blasting it so loud on my earbuds. It was worth it though lol. But yeah all I can say to describe this album is hyper speed. Every track is hyper up to 100. You have Sean Killian the vocalist who sounds like a hyper lunatic who just escaped from an asylum & his vocals are very intense & full of energy. People have complained about his vocals, but I think they're perfect for a band with the name Vio-lence. You also have some bad ass riffs & some cool transitions that lead to some sick ass guitar solos by Robb Flynn when he was actually cool 😁. I love this album so much that I had to get the remasted edition that has a damaged cover which makes it look like you just bought a ripped CD but that's how it's supposed to be. This will always be my favorite & will be bay area thrash classic to me. Favorite three on here are Calling in the Coroner, T.D.S Take it as you will & my personal #1 favorite Bodies on Bodies. Brutal lyrics talking about the Holocaust, but it's still my #1 off this album. Give this album a listen to if you haven't already. Bad ass album.
Well that's gonna do it for my list, even though I could have made a top ten. But I just went with the best 5. What are your favourite bay area thrash metal albums. I would like to know 🙂. Thanks for stopping by & thrash on 🤘
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