25 Of The Most Under-Appreciated Albums In US Thrash History!
Forget The Big 4.....this is what you should be listening to!
Powermad – Absolute Power (1989)
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With a sound that marries well with that of Metal Church, Flotsam & Jetsam and Forbidden – particularly in Joel Dubay’s powerful vocals – Powermad‘s debut full length is a strangely alluring hybrid of thrash, speed metal, power metal and core traditional metal values that sucks you in with humungous hooks, unforgettable melodies and a clear, concise sound that’s impressively executed.
“Slaughterhouse” may be a title that conjures images of a typical horror-show bloodbath but – just like the majority of Absolute Power – there’s a refreshing ‘light’ touch and upbeat, bouncy feel to this storming opener that defied the standard unbridled aggression of the day.
That’s not to say that these guys didn’t know how to thrash!
The high tempo and satisfyingly crunchy staccato palm-muted riff-fest of “Test The Steel (Powermad)” stands as testament to their thrash credentials. Ample moments of speed metal frenzy are ably balanced throughout with the kind of controlled yet expansive dynamism that Queensrÿche excelled at in the late 80’s.
An unsung classic, Absolute Power may not be the most aggressive, in-your-face 80’s thrash release but it’s one of the most consistent!
Worship Metal – thanks for the inclusion oh Aftermath
Eyes Of Tomorrow is top class….and often overlooked. It just had to be included! 🙂 \m/
In the studio today finishing up the follow up to Eyes of Tomorrow. More aggressive and filled with attitude. Chris can’t wait to get it to you.
Amazing news! Can’t wait to hear it!! \m/
Whiplash ‘Power and Pain’
Good call but I think it recieves more love than the majority of the albums on here 🙂 \m/
Vendetta – Brain Damage.
Every song has great thrash beats and machine gun speedy riffs. Two guitarist and both sing.
But Vendetta are German…..this is a US thrash list 🙂 \m/
Toxik’s ‘World circus’. Great list by the way, many discoveries to check out (same remark for the german list).
Another good call…..and many thanks for the compliments, glad you enjoyed both features! 🙂 \m/
OMG !! GREAT LIST …but you guys have seemed to forget…Blind Illusion’s The Sane Asylum…Hands down (in my humble opinion!!) the most UNDERATED album EVER !! in any GENRE even !! If you havent heard it go online & LISTEN …a THRASH MASTERCLASS from the warped mind of MARK BIEDERMANN Les Calypool & Larry Lalonde !!
Thank you kindly…..look out for Blind Illusion in a follow-up feature….there’s loads more under-appreciated US albums we want to shout about! \m/
Sacrilege bc’s “Party With God” this is one of the all time underrated Thrash LP’s crossover that quite possibly started the blackned thrash movement.
Great list! Honored to have Intrinsic on there.
Thanks Mike! \m/
Forbidden.DBC,Sabbat,Cyclone,Violence and Cyclone Temple to name a few more! 🙂
Cheers Scott! Sabbat are British and Cyclone are Belgian though, so they can’t be included in a US thrash list. I think Forbidden and Vio-Lence are generally rated high and discussed often but Cyclone Temple are a great shout! \m/
oops sorry!
No worries man! 🙂 \m/
Uncle Slam,Pissing Razors and Wrath. Or is Pissing Razors from Mexico?
Pissing Razors are from Texas I think, but always considered them to be groove metal. Sub-genres causing problems as always!! haha
Great shout when it comes to Uncle Slam and particularly Wrath….a follow-up feature is in the works and these could both be included 🙂 \m/
demolition hammer – epidemic of violence is one of the most brutal and relentless thrash albums of all time, it deserves a spot there imo
Can’t argue with you there! \m/
Can’t argue with that! \m/
Hey very interesting blog!