365 Days Of Thrash – The Full List

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In 2024 we embarked on a some would say foolhardy venture to select and post a thrash album a day for the entire year….and what a success it turned out to be! With a great response on socials and an evident love for all things thrash from you lovely people out there, we thought it best to wrap up this exercise with a feature that details each and every thrash album we selected over the year.

We’ve not reviewed the lot because that’s a task even we’re not wiling to take on but this feature does scatter reviews throughout….

Day 1: Death Angel – The Ultra-Violence (1987) [USA]

Day 2: Xentrix – Shattered Existence (1989) [UK]

Day 3: Artillery – By Inheritance (1990) [Denmark]

Day 4: Deathrow – Deception Ignored (1989) [Germany]

Released: June 12th 1989 via Noise Records

After the relatively no-thrills thrash found on Deathrow‘s Riders Of Doom aka Satan’s Gift (1986) and Raging Steel (1987), there was virtually no indication that Deathrow would break boundaries with their 3rd full length release!

Complex and rhythmically confounding – but never at the cost of a satisfying sense of structure – the likes of “Narcotic” were insane blasts of technical thrash wizardry and should have marked Deathrow out as pioneers of prog metal / tech thrash very early in the game.

Instead, obscurity beckoned with Deception Ignored initially receiving a lukewarm response and ironically ignored by a legion of confused fans. Fortunately, this outstanding album has gone on to be revered as a work of almost labyrinthian art, misunderstood by many but now beloved by those in the know.

Day 5: Onslaught – The Force (1986) [UK]

Day 6: Dark Angel – Time Does Not Heal (1991) [USA]

Day 7: Destruction – The Antichrist (2001) [Germany]

Day 8: Exhorder – Slaughter In The Vatican (1990) [USA]

Also recommended: Exhorder – The Law (1992)

Day 9: Protector – A Shedding Of Skin (1991) [Germany]

Day 10: Mortal Sin – Face Of Despair (1989) [Australia]

Released: April 17th 1989 via Vertigo Records

The greatest Australian thrash band to ever have thrashed ™ fully deserve a inclusion here and, with their second album Face Of Despair, Mortal Sin fair gave us a second wave classic!

Opening with an absolute all-time thrash monster is always a good thing and “I Am Immortal” was a thrash fuckin’ behemoth! Rammed with hooks, tempo changes and all manner of thrashy goodness, Mortal Sin should have gone down in history as one of the greats by virtue of this one track alone. 

However, Face Of Despair is no one-trick pony, with the crunch of “The Infantry Corps” (very …and Justice For All in construct) and the more experimental rhythms of “Martyrs Of Eternity” (with its strong Sacred Reich vibe) proving equally as incendiary. 

Also recommended: Mortal Sin – Mayhemic Destruction (1987)

Day 11: Realm – Suiciety (1990) [USA]

Day 12: Vendetta – Brain Damage (1988) [Germany]

Also recommended: Vendetta – Go and Live … Stay and Die (1987)

Day 13: Anacrusis – Manic Impressions (1991) [USA]

Day 14: Mordred – Fools Game (1989) [USA]

Day 15: Lich King – The Omniclasm (2017) [USA]

Day 16: Traitor – Exiled To The Surface (2022) [Germany]

Released: July 8th, 2022 via Violent Creek Records 

Someone asks you to name a German thrash band. The one German thrash band you’d recommend they listen to. That band? Probably Kreator, right? Thought so. Traitor love a bit of Kreator too. So much so, they’ve taken to sounding exactly like ’em circa Extreme Aggression and, blatant plagiarism aside, we’ve gotta admit to enjoying the bloody hell out of it! 

Frontman Andreas Mozer sounds exactly like Mille Petrozza and the band sound like they ignored most of Kreator‘s 90s output post Coma Of Souls (much like we did) and simply wanna slavishly let rip in old-school Kreator style. 

So, why do we rate Exiled To The Surface so highly? 

It’s fun, it’s fast, it’s rabid and it’s relentless. It’s FRASH with a capital fuckin’ ‘F’. It rips your tits off and fires your nipples back at ya like bullets. It’s the album we wish Kreator had released instead of Hate Über Alles! What’s not to love?! 

The biggest irony is that Sodom‘s Tom Angelripper lends his vocals to “Total Thrash”. Was Mille Petrozza busy??

Day 17: Holy Terror – Mind Wars (1988) [USA]

Day 18: The Beyond – Crawl (1991) [UK]

Day 19: Municipal Waste – The Art Of Partying (2007) [USA]

Also recommended: Municipal Waste – Hazardous Mutation (2005)

Day 20: Voivod – Dimension Hatröss (1988) [Canada]

Day 21: Overkill – Horrorscope (1991) [USA]

Released: September 3rd 1991 via Megaforce Records

In the early 90’s Overkill were already one of the most prolific bands in thrash and they reached their commercial peak with Horrorscope, an album that fully harnessed the ever-maturing skill and dexterity merely hinted at in the past.

Following Bobby Gustafson’s departure, Overkill bolstered their line-up with the addition of two new guitarists in the shape of Rob Cannavino (who had been Gustafson’s guitar technician) and Merritt Gant (previously from thrash metal band Faith or Fear), both of whom stepped up to the challenge of filling Gustafson’s huge shoes.  

There’s no doubting the sheer quality of the song writing found on 1991’s Horroscope and Overkill were clearly thinking big with this release. Ably balancing the unbridled aggression found on their early releases with just the right amount of experimentation, Horrorscope found the boys harnessing everything from acoustic intros (“Coma”), blinding speed (“Infectious”), thrash ballads (“Solitude”) and mid-tempo stomp (“New Machine”), and they were more than capable of matching (if not beating) the mainstream-baiting likes of Metallica’s The Black Album and Death Angel’s Act III.   

Horrorscope remains an outstanding and enduring effort with quality stamped all over it; an early 90’s masterpiece and no mistake! 

Day 22: Sabbat – History Of A Time To Come (1989) [UK]

Day 23: Exodus – Tempo Of The Damned (2004) [USA]

Day 24: Dead Head – Dream Deceiver (1993) [Netherlands]

Also recommended: Dead Head – The Feast Begins at Dawn (1991)

Day 26: Harlott – Extinction (2017) [Australia]

Also recommended: Harlott – Detritus of the Final Age (2020)

Day 27: Heathen – Victims Of Deception (1991) [USA]

Released: April 12th 1991 via Roadracer Records

Absolutely, mind-bogglingly brilliant. 

That’s a fair summation of Heathen’s piece de resistance, a riff-fest of such magnitude and scope that these Bay Area thrashers should be a household name. The fact they’re not is another example of an album of such astounding quality and consistency falling by the wayside while The Big 4 marched on to greater glories.

Recorded by musicians of insane ability – and a singer who could, gulp, actually fuckin’ sing! – this progressive thrash masterpiece practically surpassed Metallica, Megadeth and co. in each and every area. The riffs were crunchier and the progressive elements better suited to the melodic manifestations that made up this magnum opus; allowing the band to pen heavy and aggressive tunes capable of impressing the most obtuse prog lover!

Heathen ended up being victims of circumstances but hindsight proves they were actually at the forefront of their chosen field.

Day 28: Believer – Sanity Obscure (1990) [USA]

Also recommended: Believer – Dimensions (1993)

Day 29: Razor – Shotgun Justice (1990) [Canada]

Day 30: Morbid Saint – Spectrum Of Death (1990) [USA]

Day 31: Warbringer – Woe To The Vanquished (2017) [USA]

Also recommended: Warbringer – Weapons Of Tomorrow (2020)

Day 32: Antidote – The Truth (1992) [Finland]

Day 33: Target – Master Project Genesis (1988) [Belgium]

Day 34: Sepultura – Beneath The Remains (1989) [Brazil]

Released: April 7th 1989 via Roadracer Records

An all-time death-thrash classic, Beneath The Remains fully marked the emergence of one of metal’s most enduring talents and laid down the gauntlet to thrash metal bands the world over. According to vocalist Max Cavalera, Sepultura had “really found [their] style” on that album and you’d be a fool to argue with that particular sentiment.

The epitome of all killer – no filler, a de riguer acoustic intro gave way to Beneath The Remains’ incendiary title track and the ‘Seps’ were off and running; thrashing with more aggression and more intensity than the majority of their peers could ever hope to muster. “Inner Self” and “Stronger Than Hate” then offered the ‘hits’ before the riff-fest of “Mass Hypnosis” garnered Sepultura ultimate technical bragging rights!

A brutal indictment of growing up in the favelas of Brazil, Sepultura harnessed their experiences and produced a visceral, primitive sound, bringing world music to the thrash scene and setting themselves up as one of extreme metal’s finest ever bands.

Day 35: Intruder – Psycho Savant (1991) [USA]

Day 36: Slayer – South Of Heaven (1988) [USA]

Day 37: Infernäl Mäjesty – None Shall Defy (1987) [Canada]

Day 38: Havok – Time Is Up (2011) [USA]

Also recommended: Havok – Unnatural Selection (2013)

Day 39: Lȧȧz Rockit – Annihilation Principle (1989) [USA]

Released: February 8th 1989 via Enigma

While Lȧȧz Rockit may have lagged slightly behind the likes of Exodus, Testament, Death Angel, Heathen, Forbidden and Vio-lence, their back catalogue represented the sheer wealth of talent that resided in the Bay Area….and Annihilation Principle was arguably their finest hour! 

Despite starting out as a relatively pure metal band on their 1984 debut, City’s Gonna Burn, each successive release found Lȧȧz Rockit moving into ever thrashier waters and by the time their 4th album, Annihilation Principle, rolled in, their brand of high energy and melodic thrash had reached its zenith. 

Opener “Fire In The Hole” was provocative and combustible – a sure fire way of gaining attention and building momentum from the outset – while the increasingly catchy likes of “Chain Of Fools” added a Metal Church-esque power-thrash aesthetic to Lȧȧz Rockit‘s overall tuneful yet powerful sound.

Day 40: Forbidden – Twisted Into Form (1990) [USA]

Day 41: Exumer – Possessed By Fire () [Germany]

Also recommended: Exumer – The Raging Tides (2016)

Day 42: Vektor – Terminal Redux (2016) [USA]

Also recommended: Vektor – Black Future (2009) / Vektor – Outer Isolation (2011)

Day 43: Evil Dead – Annihilation Of Civilization (1989) [USA]

Also recommended: Evil Dead – The Underworld (1991)

Day 44: Cyclone – Inferior To None (1990) [Belgium]

Released: 1990 via Justice Records

Suffering from severe underexposure dented Cyclone’s chances of ever escaping the underground but Inferior To None (a convincingly apt title if ever we’ve head one!) should have been the album to achieve it.

Four years on from their relatively meat n’ potatoes debut, Brutal Destruction, and these guys had used the time well; finding their groove and improving on every aspect of their sound with universally stunning results. Embracing a technical thrash aesthetic, Cyclone had upped their game considerably with some of the tightest playing around and a gamut of ear-pleasing solos in their back pocket. 

Inferior To None is practically perfect thrash. 

Day 45: Anilhilated – The Ultimate Desecration (1989) [UK]

Also recommended: Anihilated – Created In Hate (1988)

Day 46: Nuclear Assault – Handle With Care (1989) [USA]

Day 47: Testament – The New Order (1988) [USA]

Day 48: Gammacide – Victims Of Science (1989) [USA]

Released: 1989 via Wild Rage Records

Gammacide‘s one and only album, Victims Of Science, may not be well known (except to the thrash die-hards, of course) but it’s a late 80’s release far more deserving of simply also ran status!

Fans of Vio-lence and Exodus will appreciate Gammacide’s technically skilled but aggressively direct approach and their no nonsense attitude elevates Victims Of Science to a level which far surpasses the majority of their peers. Built around that age-old thrash chestnut of nuclear war and falling victim to mankind’s technological ‘progress’, Gammacide were the thrash equivalent of armageddon and their ripping, snarling vocals, high-speed riffs, outstanding solos and whip-crack tempos were refreshingly direct and as remorseless as a nuclear winter.

Mankind has always been doomed…..and Gammacide’s Victims Of Science will always provide the soundtrack!

Day 49: Sadus – Illusions (1988) [USA]

Also recommended: Sadus – Swallowed In Black (1990)

Day 50: Doom – Complicated Mind (1988) [Japan]

Day 51: Acid Reign – The Fear (1989) [UK]

Day 52: Defiance – Beyond Recognition (1992) [USA]

Released: March 27th 1992 via Roadracer Records

At this stage in their career, Bay Area thrashers Defiance were now trying to out ‘heavy’ the likes of Testament (by way of fellow Bay Area brethren Heathen) and found themselves forging ahead in an ever more progressive thrash direction….and they were damn good at it too!

“Inside Looking Out” entertained a decidedly warped take on typical chugging riffs (and featured vocal contributions from aforementioned Heathen frontman David White) and the heady thrash-fest of “Promised Afterlife” rivalled Justice-era Metallica for complexity, while remaining staunchly ‘heavy’. The remainder of Beyond Recognition’s tracks offered diversity, complexity and enough ideas to fill a further three albums!

Beyond Recognition is Defiance’s greatest achievement and one of the most impressive moments in 90’s thrash, even though it remains ironically unrecognised by those clearly not ‘in the know’. Of course, the rest of us recognise the moment when Defiance excelled themselves and if thrash hadn’t died on its arse in the 90’s, this outstanding album surely would have sent Defiance stratospheric!

Day 53: Mekong Delta – Dances of Death (And Other Walking Shadows) (1990) [Germany]

Day 54: Slayer – Hell Awaits (1985) [USA]

Day 55: Rigor Mortis – Rigor Mortis (1988) [USA]

Day 56: Demolition Hammer – Tortured Existence (1990) [USA]

Day 57: Apocalypse – Faithless (1993) [Switzerland]

Also recommended: Apocalypse – Apocalypse (1987)

Day 58: Algebra – Pulse? (2019) [Switzerland]

Released: September 30th 2019 via Unspeakable Axe Records

A truly technical thrash album that instantly brought to mind the classics – Dark Angel’s Time Does Not Heal, Heathen’s Victims Of Deception, Forbidden‘s Twisted Into Form & Defiance’s Beyond Recognition are ideal bedfellows – Algebra‘s Pulse optimised thrash’s grand design and elaborated on each and every facet imaginable.

Ultimately brave and featuring above average performances, Pulse‘s greatest achievement lay with its finely-tuned ear for complexity which, somehow, manifested itself into catchy as fuck songs. These guys may be incredibly indebted to the forefathers of the technical thrash scene but, in 2019, this was as close to tech thrash godliness as you’d ever have hoped to encounter.

The only Algebra we’ve ever enjoyed!

Day 59: Anthrax – Among The Living (1987) [USA]

Day 60: Mandator – Initial Velocity (1988) [Netherlands]

Also recommended: Mandator – Perfect Progeny (1989)

Day 61: Aftermath – Eyes Of Tomorrow (1994) [USA]

Also recommended: Aftermath – Killing The Future [Demo] (1987)

Day 62: Vio-Lence – Eternal Nightmare (1988) [USA]

Day 63: Flotsam And Jetsam – Doomsday For The Deciever (1986) [USA]

Released: July 4th 1986 via Metal Blade Records

One of the greatest thrash debuts known to man, Flotsam and Jetsam‘s Doomsday For The Deceiver led the world to believe that a new thrash superpower had arrived (not quite, unfortunately) with a collection of tunes both overwhelmingly powerful and expertly performed.

Taking the very best bits of speed metal, power metal and thrash metal and perfecting them amongst a flurry of cranking bass, warp-speed riffs and Erik A.K’s formidable pipes, the likes of the feral “Hammerhead”, the intense “Iron Tears” and the epic ability of the exquisite title track mark out Doomsday For The Deceiver as an undisputed all-time thrash classic.

Many will recall the rarely used 6K mark awarded by Kerrang back in ’86 but that ‘score’ does this legendary release a disservice… as this one truly does go up to 11!

Also recommended: All 4 albums released since 2016!

Day 64: Sacred Reich – Ignorance (1987) [USA]

Day 65: Annihilator – Alice In Hell (1989) [Canada]

Day 66: Slammer – The Work Of Idle Hands (1989) [UK]

Day 67: The Haunted – The Haunted (1998) [Sweden]

Day 68: Hydra Vein – Rather Death Than False Of Faith (1988) [UK]

Day 69: Whiplash – Power And Pain (1986) [USA]

Released: February 1986 via Roadrunner Records

Whiplash really should have been huge. 

Featuring hoarse vocals, widdly fucking riffs and (the incessant intro chug of “Red Bomb” aside) a pace that rarely dipped, Power and Pain was the real fuckin’ deal. 

Forever threatening to careen clear of the rails, Whiplash‘s brand of thrash was the most feral and frantic of its kind. Thre was no fuckin’ around to be found with these guys biting down hard and gnashing and thrashing their way through 9 tracks of amped up Motörhead meets Venom worship. Exhilarating and insanely visceral, the results speak themselves. 

Whiplash were the masters….WITH THE IRON FIST!!!

Day 70: Exodus – Bonded By Blood (1985) [USA]

Day 71: Destruction – Infernal Overkill (1985) [Germany]

Day 72: Pyracanda – Two Sides Of A Coin (1990) [Germany]

Day 73: Invocator – Excursion Demise (1991) [Denmark]

Day 74: Evile – Enter The Grave (2007) [UK]

Also recommended: Evile – Infected Nations (2009)

Day 75: Toxic Holocaust – Evil Never Dies (2003) [USA]

Also recommended: Toxic Holocaust – Hell On Earth (2005) / Toxic Holocaust – Primal Future: 2019 (2019)

Day 76: Lazarus AD – The Onslaught (2007) [USA]

Also recommended: Lazarus AD – Black Rivers Flow (2011)

Day 77: Bonded By Blood – Feed The Beast (2008) [USA]

Also recommended: Bonded By Blood – Exiled To Earth (2010)

Day 78: Violator – Chemical Assault (2006) [Brazil]

Also recommended: Violator – Scenarios of Brutality (2013)

Day 79: Power Trip – Manifest Decimation (2013) [USA]

Day 80: Flotsam And Jetsam – No Place For Disgrace (1988) [USA]

Day 81: Atrophy – Violent By Nature (1990) [USA]

Released: March 26th 1990 via Roadracer Records

The one thing Violent By Nature had that many thrash releases seemed to forget is choruses, shit loads of the catchy buggers!

“In Their Eyes”, “Slipped Through The Cracks”, “Violent By Nature”, “Forgotten But Not Gone”; all contained huge hooks and memorable choruses that once heard are never forgotten…..a rare commodity in a genre that often favoured blinding speed and all out assault over actual songwriting and one that enabled Atrophy to stand out from the majority of the thrash pack.

Unconcerned with unnecessarily lengthy compositions and progressive noodling, Violent By Nature took the core ingredients of thrash and refused to mess with a winning formula. The result was an album that hit with immeasurable groove, cunning melody and some of the catchiest, bounciest, mosh-pit friendly thrash anthems ever to be found on one album.

Day 82: Kreator – Pleasure To Kill (1986) [Germany]

Day 83: Razor – Evil Invaders (1985) [Canada]

Day 84: Dark Angel – Darkness Descends (1986) [USA]

Day 85: Sabbat – Dreamweaver (1989) [UK]

Day 86: Tankard – Chemical Invasion (1987) [Germany]

Released: October 1987 via Noise Records

We firmly believe that Tankard are the German equivalent of New Jersey’s Overkill; both bands taking the honour of being the most consistent and productive thrash bands of their respective continents.

Tankard have never strayed from their beer and whiskey soaked path but they are much more than a mere gimmicky joke band and Chemical Invasion is the one album to prove their incredible importance to the Teutonic thrash scene.

Like the mad scientist depicted on the album artwork, Tankard throw everything into their heady brew of intense drumming, barely controlled riffs and histrionic vocals. Seemingly just one more drink away from careening out of control entirely, Tankard’s hellish fury occasionally calms, the open acoustic guitar strum of “For A Thousand Beers” providing ample proof that these guys could play and they could play well.

Chemical Invasion is an album that demands to be listened to drunk with the room spinning and projectile puke just one more whirlwind head-bang away…. true party thrash!

Day 87: Coroner – Punishment For Decadence (1988) [Switzerland]

Day 88: DRI – Crossover (1987) [USA]

Day 89: Hyades – And The Worst Is Yet To Come (2007) [Italy]

Also recommended: Hyades – Abuse Your Illusions (2005)

Day 90: Sacrifice – Forward To Termination (1987) [Canada]

Day 91: Metallica – Ride The Lightning (1984) [USA]

Day 92: Enforced – Kill Grid (2021) [USA]

Released: March 12th 2021 via Century Media Records

Fuck-ing-hell. This was the shit, right here. 

Enforced‘s Kill Grid was the kind of full-throttle, take no prisoners crossover thrash that had you picking a fight with your own living room within seconds of hearing searing opener, “The Doctrine”. 

As furious as your Mum when she discovered how many spunk-filled socks were under your bed (sorry Mum), Kill Grid was unashamedly aggressive; fuelled by Knox Colby’s hardcore bark and the kind of frenzied riffing that propelled Slayer to god-like status. 

All of us left reeling after the tragic passing of Power Trip‘s Riley Gale should take solace in the fact that Enforced have picked up exactly where Power Trip left off! 

Day 93: Holy Moses – Finished With the Dogs (1987) [Germany]

Day 94: Deathwish – Demon Preacher (1988) [UK]

Day 95: Annihilator – Never, Neverland (1990) [Canada]

Day 96: Destruction – Eternal Devastation (1986) [Germany]

Day 97: Demolition Hammer – Epidemic Of Violence (1992) [USA]

Released: March 1992 via Century Media Records

Having the nerve to release one of the meanest thrash albums of all time during a period when thrash was all but forgotten took guts, but Demolition Hammer were blatantly unconcerned with the arrival of death metal and groove metal (for now, at least). Instead, they took the elements they admired from both sub-genres and shackled them, kicking and screaming, bloody and bowed, to their own thrash metal framework.

Arguably as sonically devastating as any death metal album of the era, this undisputed epitome of pure thrash brutality was propelled by the pummelling drumming of Vinny Daze who excelled himself here (those kicks are lightning fucking fast) and the aptly titled “Skull Fracturing Nightmare” sums this album up perfectly.

Abject aggression in musical form!

Day 98: Megadeth – Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying? (1986) [USA]

Day 99: Sodom – Persecution Mania (1987) [Germany]

Day 100: Power Trip – Nightmare Logic (2017) [USA]

Day 101: Death Angel – Act III (1990) [USA]

Day 102: Hypnosia – Extreme Hatred (2000) [Sweden]

Day 103: Faustus – …and Still We Suffer (1996) [USA]

Released: Independently on September 27th 1996

…and Still We Suffer may have arrived a little late in the day but there’s no denying that this semi-obscure effort from Seattle’s Faustus was a brave, complex and, ultimately, highly rewarding slab of progressive thrash metal. This was thrash made for the true fans; those committed souls who had continued to fly the thrash flag in the face of death metal, grunge and groove metal and …and Still We Suffer was their well-deserved reward!

With more than a hint of Nevermore and Anacrusis informing their sound, Faustus were undoubtedly looking to push thrash into ever more expansive realms; unleashing a tirade of ingenious riffs, multi-faceted vocals and ever-shifting time signatures in the process. While “Erosion” had an Atheist vibe – which removed the majority of the death metal elements but retained that recognisable free-form nature – it was “The Hell We Make” which provided the most succinct summation of Faustus‘ skill.

While at times Faustus‘ approach may have appeared scattershot (which can be attested to their abundance of ideas), it was actually their undying commitment to challenging trends, their obvious technical ability, their go-for-broke mentality and high octane performances which marked them out as a band with plenty to offer.

Day 104: Dyoxen – First Among Equals (1989) [Canada]

Day 105: Bezerker – Lost (1990) [Australia]

Day 106: Carrion – Evil Is There! (1986) [Switzerland]

Day 107: Messina – Terrortory (1990) [Netherlands]

Day 108: Vacant Grave – Life Or Death (1990) [USA]

Day 109: Aspid (Аспид) – Extravasation (Кровоизлияние) (1993) [Russia]

Released: May 1993 via Ritonis / RONEeS Records

Right time, wrong place. That’s the situation Russian technical thrashers Aspid (Аспид) found themselves in when they released their technically audacious debut album, Extravasation (Кровоизлияние) in 1993.

Had this monster of an album been released by an American or a German band we suspect that Aspid’s name would be mentioned in the same breath as cult legends Intruder and Deathrow. Instead, Extravasation is but a footnote in a scene that – with wider exposure – would surely have embraced these talented individuals with open arms. Blame the distribution (originally a limited vinyl release) for its relative failure but don’t the blame the performances and the song writing, because Aspid were equal to their lauded peers in every respect; often pushing their progressive/technical thrash into death metal territory while remaining resolutely committed to surprising the listener at every turn. 

Uniquely dark, aggressive, mesmerising and menacing, Aspid’s one and only release deserves far more than to rot in obscurity…..it demands to be heard!

Day 110: Sentinel Beast – Depths Of Death (1986) [USA]

Day 111: Violent Force – Malevolent Assault Of Tomorrow (1987) [Germany]

Day 112: Heathen – The Evolution Of Chaos (2010) [USA]

Day 113: Testament – The Formation Of Damnation (2008) [USA]

Day 114: Paradox – Collision Course (2000) [Germany]

Day 115: Acid Reign – The Age Of Entitlement (2019) [UK]

Released: September 27th 2019 via Dissonance Productions

In 2019, Tool may have graced us with a new release after 13 years but 13 years was NOTHING compared to the wait for Acid Reign‘s new album! Old-school UK thrash royalty Acid Reign had released their last full length studio album, Obnoxious, way back in 1990. Bloody good it was, too. But, shortly after, thrash metal trundled to a halt and the wheels came off for many a band; Acid Reign included.

And that was that. Except it wasn’t. In 2015, frontman Howard “H” Smith rebooted the band, recruited 4 new members and released the corking comeback single, “Plan Of The Damned“, revealing a more mature, more rounded, heavier and tighter band than before.

Album number 3 swiftly followed and with diversity, outstanding songwriting, a career best performance from frontman ‘H’, social commentary, The Age Of Entitlement had everything and is one of those precious few albums where you don’t dare skip a track. 

An outstanding modern thrash record.

Day 116: Destruction – All Hell Breaks Loose (2000) [Germany]

Day 117: Onslaught – Killing Peace (2007) [UK]

Day 118: Death Angel – The Art Of Dying (2004) [USA]

Day 119: Morbid Saint – Swallowed By Hell (2024) [USA]

Exhorder – Mourn The Southern Skies (2019) [USA]

Released: September 20th 2019 via Nuclear Blast

Few were expecting new material from Exhorder in 2019 and even less were prepared for an album that not only rivalled Slaughter In The Vatican but, in many ways, surpassed it!

Mourn The Southern Skies had no right sounding so devastatingly fresh, so exuberantly youthful and so damn relevant, and Exhorder weren’t just back; they were seemingly reborn. Thrashy, groovy and Southern-fried, this was still the Exhorder you fell in love with in the early 90’s but after after a 27(!) year sabbatical, what was most clear was just how pissed off Kyle Thomas, Vinnie LaBella and the boys still were.

They still don’t give a fuck…..so go fucking whine!

Day 121: Forbidden – Omega Wave (2010) [USA]

Day 122: Gladiator – Made Of Pain (1993) [Slovakia]

Day 123: Outrage アウトレイジ – Black Clouds (1988) [Japan]

Also recommended: Outrage – Blind To Reality (1989)

Day 124: Abaxial – Samasara (1994) [Argentina]

Day 125: Typhoon – Take Good Care (1992) [Austria]

Day 126: Asphyxia – Exit: Reality (1991) [Belgium]

Released: 1991 via Rumble Records

Asphyxia were yet another bunch of Belgians that were full of promise but released just the one full length album. In this case, it was the scintillating Exit: Reality; a Bay Area-esque cruncher which can stand toe-to-toe with any second-tier Californian act!

Delivering the kind of huge choruses, moshable bounce and deadly gang vokills that made Atrophy so irresistible, Asphyxia‘s gruff delivery was matched only by their speed and unforgiving assault. With no time for showboating or thrash balladry, Exit: Reality‘s 10 tracks simply ripped with 100% authenticity.

Above average thrash from an unfairly ignored band!

Day 127: Crash – Unreal Dreams (1993) [Bulgaria]

Day 128: Apostasy – Sunset Of The End (1991) [Chile]

Also recommended: Apostasy – The Sign Of Darkness (2018)

Day 129: Neurosis – Verdun 1916 (1995) [Columbia]

Day 130: Mezzrow – Then Came The Killing (1990) [Sweden]

Day 131: Gargoyle – Furebumi 檄 (1990) [Japan]

Also recommended: Gargoyle – 月の棘 (1994)

Day 132: Wolf Spider – Kingdom of Paranoia (1990) [Poland]

Released: 1990 via Under One Flag

A cult band of considerable skill, Poland’s Wolf Spider may not be anywhere near a household name but their late 80s / early 90s output was the envy of many a technical / progressive thrash band and Kingdom Of Paranoia is, arguably, their finest moment!

One of the ‘Big Four of Polish technical / progressive thrash’ – nestling in nicely next to Turbo, Astharoth and Acrimony  – Kingdom Of Paranoia found Wolf Spider improving immeasurably on debut album Wilczy Pająk, with the band further embracing schizophrenic time changes and all manner of obscure references.

The likes of “Sickened Nation” may have offered a more accessible road to thrash nirvana but Wolf Spider truly shone when they fully gave in to their esoteric tendencies – such as on the exhilarating “Pain”.

Day 133: Canker – Physical (1994) [Spain]

Day 134: Ancestor 祖先 – Lords Of Destiny (2018) [China]

Day 135: A.R.G. – Entrance (1989) [Finland]

Also recommended: A.R.G. – Redemption From Refaim (2015)

Day 136: Chronosphere – Embracing Oblivion (2014) [Greece]

Day 137: Ancesthor – White Terror (2022) [Mexico]

Released: Independently on January 7th 2022

A raucous blast of techincal thrash, Ancesthor threw everything at their 5th album (no, we don’t know how we missed them until now either) and while the results can often be overwhelming, there’s no denying that this is a monster of progressive / technical thrash! 

There will no doubt be many who accuse White Terror of being a mess of influences, with its cacophonous mix of all-out aggression, love ’em or hate ’em vocals and dalliances with symphonic elements proving difficult to consume in one sitting. However, there’s no doubting that Ancesthor are a talented bunch and fans of both neo-classical thrash and the kind of dissonant rage perpetrated by Vektor (particularly in their early days) will surely get a kick out of what these Mexicans have to offer. 

Thrashing terror awaits! 

Day 138: Intruder – Escape From Pain [EP] (1990) [USA]

Day 139: Forbidden – Forbidden Evil (1988) [USA]

Day 140: Overkill – Taking Over (1987) [USA]

Day 141: Testament – The Gathering (1999) [USA]

Day 142: Nuclear Assault – Game Over (1986) [USA]

Released: October 7th 1986 via Combat Records

Nuclear Assault‘s debut album saw Danny Lilker and his merry men release an unrefined and cataclysmic thrash metal assault on the world!

Still tapped in to the raw emotion and pure power over technical skill mentality of thrash metal’s early releases – that’s not to say these boys couldn’t play but it’s the attitude that shines through – Game Over bordered on a crossover release; revelling in gang vocals, thunderous bass and John Connoly’s unhinged and apocalyptic screeching diatribes.

From the blacker than black humour of “Hang The Pope” to the end of the world announcing “Nuclear War”, “After The Holocaust” and “Radiation Sickness”, Nuclear Assault hit like the proverbial atomic bomb in ’86 and instantly cemented their place amongst the greats of thrash metal.

Day 143: Blind Illusion – The Sane Asylum (1988) [USA]

Day 144: Sodom – Agent Orange (1989) [Germany]

Day 145: Kreator – Extreme Aggression (1989) [Germany]

Day 146: Sacred Reich – The American Way (1990) [USA]

Day 147: Sepultura – Arise (1991) [Brazil]

Day 148: Onslaught – In Search Of Sanity (1989) [UK]

Day 149: Realm – Endless War (1988) [USA]

Released: November 8th 1988 via R/C Records

Realm’s histrionic, kinetic and brain-scrambling debut still pummels the senses with its falsetto vocals and stampeding rhythms; threatening to career off the precipice of plausibility at any moment!

Straddling a fine line between thrash, power metal and speed metal – Toxik are a fitting comparison – Realm’s supreme confidence in finessing the core ingredients of these sub-genres was only outweighed by their sheer technical virtuosity. The guitars are virtually impossible to pin down, a cacophonous aural caning containing endless shredding, lightning-quick picking, intricate leads, the odd surprising acoustic section and more sickle-sharp rhythm’s and hair-raising solo’s than seems humanly possible to assimilate.

The frenetic pace of the entire album only shifted into a (slightly) lower gear for the likes of the slow-burning “Eminence” and the borderline balladry of “Second Coming“, while the classic sound of “All Heads Will Turn To The Hunt” helped to calm the pace of the attention deficit soloing and endless shifts in tempo that permeated through this accomplished debut.

Also home to one of the greatest thrash cover versions in the shape of The Beatles‘ “Eleanor Rigby”, this theatrical blast through such a usually melancholic song screamed insanity and summed up the hyperactive approach Realm adopted for the majority of Endless War.

Day 150: Forced Entry – Uncertain Future (1989) [USA]

Also recommended: Forced Entry – As Above, So Below (1991)

Day 151: Artillery – Terror Squad (1987) [Denmark]

Day 152: Coroner – No More Color (1989) [Switzerland]

Day 153: Holy Terror – Terror And Submission (1987) [USA]

Day 154: Exodus – Pleasures Of The Flesh (1987) [USA]

Day 155: Vio-Lence – Oppressing The Masses (1990) [USA]

Released: July 13th 1990 via Megaforce Records

Following up such an incendiary debut as Eternal Nightmare was always going to be a tough task. How do you follow perfection? You don’t. So, Vio-Lence simply set about penning another collection of suitably erratic, unabashedly heavy, and technically-savvy thrash metal tunes!

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Oppressing The Masses isn’t as openly revered as its illustrious predecessor but its reputation has, rightfully, grown over the years. While not quite as fast and feral as Eternal Nightmare, you could hardly label Oppressing The Masses ‘refined’ and with messrs Flynn and Demmel peeling the paint off the walls with their cavalcade of vicious riffs, Vio-Lence were still one of the heaviest thrash bands on the block. 

We’ll be damned if “I Profit” isn’t one of the best tracks Vio-Lence ever recorded and “Officer Nice” has gone down as an all-time thrash classic. While Vio-Lence couldn’t improve on Eternal Nightmare….they sure as hell gifted us a sophomore album for the ages!

Day 156: Whiplash – Ticket To Mayhem (1987) [USA]

Day 157: Blood Feast – Kill For Pleasure (1987) [USA]

Day 158: Hallows Eve – Death & Insanity (1986) [USA]

Day 159: Xentrix – For Whose Advantage? (1990) [UK]

Day 160: Dark Angel – Leave Scars (1989) [USA]

Released: January 24th 1989 via Combat Records

Sitting in between 2 monstrous, all-time classic thrash albums such as Darkness Descends and Time Does Not Heal is no easy task but then Dark Angel‘s Leave Scars is no easy album in the first place!

An album that’s as claustrophobic as it is brutal, Dark Angel were clearly beginning to embrace a more progressive aesthetic (particularly on the labyrinthine “The Promise of Agony) while maintaining the ferocity that marked out their debut as one of the all-time great thrash albums (get a load of “Never to Rise Again”).

The result was an uncomfortable experience (not least due to its muddied production) that was extreme in every sense of the word. In fact, for the time, Leave Scars was one of the most overwhelmingly aggressive thrash albums on the market and its impact has not diminished in the intervening years.

Day 161: Megadeth – So Far, So Good… So What! (1988) [USA]

Day 162: Voivod – Killing Technology (1987) [Canada]

Day 163: Atrophy – Socialized Hate (1988) [USA]

Day 164: Accuser – Who Dominates Who (1989) [Germany]

Day 165: Nuclear Assault – Survive (1988) [USA]

Day 166: Virus – Lunacy (1989) [UK]

Also recommended: Virus – Force Recon (1988)

Day 167: DBC – Dead Brain Cells (1987) [Canada]

Released: September 1st 1987 via Combat Records

To those in the know, DBC were a crossover thrash phenomenon. While those outside of the thrash underground may not have woken up to DBC‘s intrinsic charms until much later (if at all), those who caught on early to their crunching mix of hardcore-inflected technicality and speed were instantly taken by a band who should have made huge waves in the scene.

While “Lies” gave any late 80’s crossover act a run for their money it was the likes of “Tempest” – with its more ‘expansive’ leanings – which truly showcased what these Canadians were capable of….and would go on to achieve!

Day 168: Suicidal Tendencies – How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can’t Even Smile Today (1988) [USA]

Day 169: Sabbat – Evoke (1992) [Japan]

Also recommended: Sabbat – The Dwelling (1994)

Day 170: Cyclone Temple – I Hate Therefore I Am (1991) [USA]

Day 171: Znöwhite – Act Of God (1988) [USA]

Day 172: Angel Dust – To Dust You Will Decay (1988) [Germany]

Day 173: Entropy – Ashen Existence (1992) [Canada]

Released: September 14th 1992 via Inazone

Entropy’s debut album, Ashen Existence, may not be as well-known as it should be but that just means that when you do discover it, you’re in for one hell of a welcome surprise!

This was ambitious thrash, buoyed by technicality and hell-bent on challenging the notion of what thrash could be. With Ger Schreinert’s vocals swiftly alternating between death growls and raspy screams and wails, Entropy’s genius lay in their ability to hop between sub-genres at will, with changes in tempo and time signatures throwing endless curveballs throughout each and every, lengthy, track.

While, at times, Ashen Existence may sound like Entropy crammed 3 albums of material into the one song (never mind the one album!) – and the sheer number of ideas thrown around with wild abandon can often be overwhelming – if you dig a little deeper it’s abundantly clear that Ashen Existence was the Canadian answer to Dark Angel’s Time Does Not Heal…..and praise doesn’t really get any loftier than that!

Day 174: Anthrax – Persistence Of Time (1990) [USA]

Day 175: Testament – The Legacy (1987) [USA]

Day 176: Blessed Death – Destined For Extinction (1987) [USA]

Day 177: Iron Angel – Hellish Crossfire (1985) [Germany]

Day 178: Nasty Savage – Penetration Point (1989) [USA]

Day 179: Living Death – Protected From Reality (1987) [Germany]

Released: 1987 via Aaarrg Records

Savage as all hell, Living Death‘s 3rd full length album was a speed-thrash onslaught that took thrash into ever more extreme spheres of madness, often careening forth in a blitzkrieg of unhinged riffs and Thorsten Bergmann’s unnerving banshee screams.

Perhaps an acquired taste, Living Death seemed to forfeit thrash metal’s accessible aspects for a more unholy approach but they did still find room for some serious showboating! Check out the masterful instrumental “Wood of Necrophiliac”, which finds time to incorporate obligatory 80’s acoustic guitar spliced with some serious chugging riffs, monk-like vocal chanting and an atmosphere which catapults the listener into the creepiest realms imaginable.

Raw, aggressive and unpredictable, this underrated thrash act were arguably never better than on Protected From Reality.

Also recommended: Living Death – Metal Revolution (1985)

Day 180: Toxik – Think This (1989) [USA]

Also recommended: Toxik – Dis Morta (2022)

Day 181: Sacrifice – Soldiers Of Misfortune (1990) [Canada]

Also recommended: Sacrifice – The Ones I Condemn (2009)

Day 182: Devastation – Idolatry (1991) [USA]

Also recommended: Devastation – Signs of Life (1989)

Day 183: Meshuggah – Contradictions Collapse (1991) [Sweden]

Day 184: Flames – Merciless Slaughter (1986) [Greece]

Also recommended: Flames – Summon The Dead (1988)

Day 185: Anihilated – Anti Social Engineering (2015) [UK]

Released: Independently via April 17th 2015

Anihilated’s punk origins may have rang true in both Si Cobb’s snarling vocal delivery and barborous social commentary but this modern classic was blistering thrash through and through.

Stripped back and bloodily raw, the likes of “They Lie, We Die”, “Seas Of Red” and “A Vile Congregation” were savage and effective but it was on “Thrashing Crew” where Anti Social Engineering reached its zenith. A track that should officially be added to the list of ultimate thrash anthems; “Thrashing Crew” was a call to arms to rival Megadeth’s “Rattlehead”, Testament’s “Into The Pit” and Exodus’ “Bonded By Blood“. Featuring guest vo-kills from Sy Keeler (Onslaught), Coke Finlay (Virus) and Jason McLoughlin (D.A.M.), UK thrash could not have been better represented and “Thrashing Crew” was a pit-inducing whirlwind of lacerating riffs and larynx-ripping vocals.

Anti Social Engineering was a modern thrash record that slammed you into the canvas and stood toe-to-toe with absolutely anything released under the banner of thrash in 2015 – and that included Slayer‘s Repentless.

Day 186: Angelus Apatrida – The Call (2012) [Spain]

Also recommended: Angelus Apatrida – Aftermath (2023)

Day 187: Condition Critical – Extermination Plan (2016) [USA]

Day 188: Xentrix – Seven Words (2022) [UK]

Day 189: War Curse – Eradication (2019) [USA]

Day 190: Desaster – The Oath Of An Iron Ritual (2016) [Germany]

Day 191: Inculter – Fatal Visions (2019) [Norway]

Released: April 29th 2019 via Edged Circle Productions.

Another old-school honouring album that embraced the abrasive as it dove headlong into the blackened thrash abyss, Fatal Visions was tailor made for fans of Slayer, early-Sepultura and any thrash band from the mid-80s who conjured up a blackened thrash storm in the name of SATAN!

While characterised by blistering speed, it’s worth noting that Fatal Visions is far more than mindless thrashing and its semi-hidden depths only reveal themselves once you’ve fully indoctrinated yourself into Inculter’s shadowy world.

A blackened thrash masterpiece.

Day 192: Ghoul – Splatterthrash (2006) [USA]

Day 193: Gama Bomb – The Terror Tapes (2013) [Ireland]

Day 194: Nekromantheon – Rise, Vulcan Spectre (2012) [Norway]

Day 195: Legion Of The Damned – Malevolent Rapture (2005) [Netherlands]

Day 196: Onslaught – Generation Antichrist (2020) [UK]

Day 197: Terrifier – Weapons Of Thrash Destruction (2017) [Canada]

Released: January 20th 2017 Test Your Metal Records

No mere pastiche or nostalgic piss take, Canada’s Terrifier lovingly crafted a pure thrash metal album that made you want to dig out your white hi-tops and wedge yourself into your old skin tight jeans!

Proving itself to be an apt title, this ripper of an album contained enough WMD’s to shame the majority of bands operating under the guise of old school thrash. Raw, vicious and full of taut muscular riffing – and a drum attack that left you gasping for clean air – this truly great album may have lacked variety but who gives a fuck when they’re thrashin’ this hard and this fast!

With definite doffs of the (baseball) cap to the likes of Kreator and Exodus, this lightning bolt of an album was one of 2017’s finest releases and should have seen Terrifier take a major leap forward with their career…..except it took them 6 years to follow the damn thing up!

Day 198: Reign Of Fury – Death Be Thy Shepherd (2015) [UK]

Also recommended: Reign Of Fury – World Detonation (2012)

Day 199: Condor – Unstoppable Power (2017) [Norway]

Day 200: Black Fast – Starving Out The Light (2013) [USA]

Day 201: Cryptosis – Bionic Swarm (2021) [Netherlands]

Day 202: Distillator – Summoning The Malicious (2017) [Netherlands]

Day 203: Overkill – Ironbound (2010) [USA]

Released: January 29th 2010 via Nuclear Blast

While they’d never really been away, 2010’s Ironbound felt like Overkill‘s rebirth and appeared to re-ignite a flame that’s still burning bright 13 years later! 

Instantly making amends for the relatively disappointing Immortalis (2007), Ironbound focused 100% on thrashing hard and fast and, in Overkill‘s own inimitable way, they released a monster of an early 00’s thrash album. 

Clinically effective and stripped to the bone, Overkill were evidently hungrier than ever and opening with the obscene quality of “The Green And Black” and Ironbound‘s title track immediately announced that Bobby, D.D and the boys weren’t fucking around; they were gonna shit all over Metallica‘s Death Magnetic (2008) and Slayer‘s World Painted Blood (2009) and they were gonna have fun doing it. 

A certifiable shit-kicker of a record, Overkill had no right sounding this damn good 30 years into their career. 

Day 204: Tankard – The Beauty And The Beer (2006) [Germany]

Day 205: Thrashist Regime – Carnival Of Monsters (2018) [UK]

Day 206: Acrophet – Corrupt Minds (1988) [USA]

Also recommended: Acrophet – Faded Glory (1989)

Day 207: Whiplash – Insult To Injury (1989) [USA]

Also recommended: Whiplash – Thrashback (1998)

Day 208: Gothic Slam – Killer Instinct (1988) [USA]

Also recommended: Gothic Slam – Just A Face In The Crowd (1989)

Day 209: Wrekking Machine – Mechanistic Termination (1992) [USA]

Day 210: Holy Moses – The New Machine Of Liechtenstein (1989) [Germany]

Released: April 17th 1989 via WEA

Taming much of the bite that made 1987’s Finished With The Dogs so rabid, Holy Moses emerged in 1989 as a notably more clinical beast; still savage, still capable of ripping your head clean off your shoulders, but now laced with the kind of precision-tooled, crisp riffing that led to justifiable Megadeth comparisons!

That being said, Sabine Classen’s vocals were as predatory as ever and, while the music around her was graced with more nuance and compositional skill than ever before, it remains a joy to hear her hostile holler ring true above the insanely tight rhythmic interplay of Andy Classen’s sublime riffs and Uli Kusch’s always impressive performance behind the kit.

While there’s nothing to be found on The New Machine Of Liechtenstein that hits quite as hard as Holy Moses classic “Current Of Death”, it’s the progressive/technical playfulness of album highlights “Panic” (replete with funk bass!) and the rapid-fire rifferama of the catchy as fuck “SSP (Secret Service Project)” that lends credo to this arguably being Holy Moses‘ most ‘complete’ album.

Day 211: Mysto Dysto – The Rules Have Been Disturbed (1986) [Netherlands]

Day 212: Harter Attack – Human Hell (1989) [USA]

Day 213: Thought Industry – Songs For Insects (1992) [USA]

Day 214: Risk – The Daily Horror News (1988) [Germany]

Released: 1988 via Steamhammer

Roll up, roll up, read all about it….daft Germans in excellent speed-thrash shocker!

With a history dating all the way back to 1967(!), Risk took the relatively safe gamble of updating their hard rock/prog rock sound – originally finessed when they were known as Faithful Breath – and went hell for leather with ‘debut’, The Daily Horror News.

With precise riffing and unruly speed, the raw nature of this obscurity may prove to be a shock to those expecting something a little cleaner from a band who had originally plied their trade two decades prior. 

As it turned out, Risk proved more than adept at out-riffing the majority of their peers and seemed to have thrash flowing through their veins…. and a more cohesive and intelligent late 80’s speed/thrash album you’d be hard pressed to find.

Ridiculous artwork….cracking album.

Day 215: Deathwish – At The Edge Of Damnation (1987) [UK]

Day 216: I.N.C. – The Visitor (1988) [USA]

Also recommended: I.N.C. – Razorback (1987)

Day 217: Eviction – The World Is Hours Away (1990) [USA]

Day 218: Stone – No Anaesthesia! (1989) [Finland]

Also recommended: Every album they’ve released!

Skyclad – The Wayward Sons Of Mother Earth (1991) [UK]

Day 220: The Mist – Phantasmagoria (1989) [Brazil]

Released: 1989 via Cogumelo Records

With ex-Chakal members filling the ranks (Chakal‘s Abominable Anno Domini is also well worth checking out), The Mist already had pedigree but, in truth, this uber-cult band were operating on another sphere entirely to Chakal, Dorsal Atlantica and Overdose etc; ultimately embracing a schizophrenic approach to their audacious brand of thrashing rage. 

With the likes of “A Step In The Dark’ toying with time signatures and shifting moods at will, The Mist dialled down the outright aggression of the majority of their contemporaries and took a more considered approach. The results were impressive to say the least – despite a middling production job – and The Mist‘s compositional skills alongside the overall variety found on Phantasmagoria‘s 10 tracks means it comes highly, and we mean highly, recommended.

A hidden gem from the heyday of Brazilian thrash! 

Also recommended: The Mist – The Hangman Tree (1991)

Day 221: Viking – Man Of Straw (1989) [USA]

Also recommended: Viking – No Child Left Behind (2015)

Day 222: Mutilator – Immortal Force (1987) [Brazil]

Day 223: Depressive Age – First Depression () [Germany]

Also recommended: Depressive Age – Lying in Wait (1993) / Depressive Age – Symbols for the Blue Times (1994)

Day 224: Wrathchild America – 3-D (1991) [USA]

Also recommended: Wrathchild America – Climbin’ the Walls (1989)

Day 225: Darkness – Death Squad (1987) [Germany]

Released: 1987 via Tales of Thrash

Severely lacking in anything approaching originality, you’d be forgiven for letting Darkness pass you by, with their by-the-numbers thrash attack adhering a little too faithfully to the pioneering sounds already solidified by their peers a few years earlier.

However, give Darkness a chance to shine (ironically) and you’ll experience a debut album that actually hits pretty damn hard with sustained and tightly controlled rage. Opening ‘oh so gently’ with the delicately strummed “Invasion Sector 12”, it’s the building intensity of a distant air siren and the unnerving sounds of bombs decimating the landscape that truly warns of things to come….with all-out-war eventually declared by these leather-clad thrashers!

A bevy of speed-obsessed ragers then follow, careening forth just on the right side of chaos with the likes of “Critical Threshold” and “Staatsfeind” providing the requisite blistering riffs and compulsory head-banging moments.

Day 226: Astharoth – Gloomy Experiments (1990) [Poland]

Day 227: Sacrosanct – Recesses Of The Depraved (1991) [Netherlands]

Also recommended: Sacrosanct – Truth Is – What Is (1990)

Day 228: Witchery – Restless & Dead (1998) [Sweden]

Also recommended: Witchery – Dead, Hot and Ready (1999)

Day 229: Meliah Rage – Kill To Survive (1988) [USA]

Day 230: Acid Reign – Obnoxious (1990) [UK]

Day 231: Assorted Heap – Mindwaves (1992) [Germany]

Released: 1992 via 1MF Recordz

Assorted Heap‘s second album is a minor masterpiece. Pure and simple.

Hitting the prog ramp at high speed, Assorted Heap finessed their already impressive sound (1991’s far more aggressive The Experience Of Horror is also well worth checking out) and delivered an unsung classic of progressive thrash; the kind of calling card that should have seen them attain more than mere ‘cult’ status.

Transcending genre trappings with ease, Assorted Heap mirrored the wholesale changes and ‘anything is possible’ mentality of Sarcofago circa The Laws Of Scourge, ultimately delivering an album that lived and died by its palpable atmosphere and unique, often ornate, clarity of sound.

A distinctive moment in thrash….German or otherwise.

Also recommended: Assorted Heap – The Experience Of Horror (1991)

Day 232: Narcotic Greed – Fatal (1994) [Japan]

Day 233: Dorsal Atlântica – Dividir & Conquistar (1988) [Brazil]

Day 234: Prestige – Parasites In Paradise (1992) [Finland]

Also recommended: Prestige – Selling the Salvation (1990)

Day 235: Infernäl Mäjesty – Unholier Than Thou (1998) [Canada]

Released: July 25th 1998 via Hypnotic Records

11 long years after None Shall Defy shook up the underground, Infernäl Mäjesty returned majestically, armed to the teeth with a set of blasphemous thrashers that shook the fillings from your teeth.

Adapting well to the need for more complex and adventurous arrangements, Infernal Majesty’s technicality also came to the fore – particularly on “Gone The Way Of All Flesh” – as they procured inspiration from progressive thrash and death metal to create a release that still sounds devastating today. In ’98, there was only one mantra a thrash fan (and thrash band) could live by…..and that was to fight for your thrash lives! Fight to the death!

Here was how to deliver a top-class thrash album in the late 90’s, with supreme conviction and no concern for prevailing trends.

Day 236: Cyclone – Brutal Destruction (1986) [Belgium]

Day 237: Defiance – Product Of Society (1989) [USA]

Day 238: Attomica – Attomica (1988) [Brazil]

Also recommended: Atomic – Disturbing The Noise (1991)

Day 239: Acridity – For Freedom I Cry (1991) [USA]

Day 240: Detritus – If But For One (1993) [UK]

Released: 1993 via R.E.X. Music

An anomaly for (ironically) more than one reason, Detritus‘ second full length album remains one of the most experimental UK thrash albums in existence – one which found this Christian thrash act branching out in all manner of unexpected directions.

Still resolutely thrash, it’s the far-reaching compositional skill that elevated this album into the category of ‘must-hear’ with subtlety and acoustic dexterity nestling nicely next to honest-to-goodness thrashing (and a thrashed-up sea shanty, for fucks sake!).

Truly a one of a kind album, those thrashers who enjoy a band who go for broke and take thrash into pastures new need to hear this album to fully appreciate the talent and potential on display.

Also recommended: Detritus – Perpetual Defiance (1990)

Day 241: Loss For Words – Prey (1989) [USA]

Day 242: Acrimony – In Unknown Direction (1992) [Poland]

Day 243: Despair – Beyond All Reason (1992) [Germany]

Also recommended: Despair – History Of Hate (1988)

Day 244: Napalm – Cruel Tranquility (1989) [USA]

Day 245: Poltergeist – First Depression (1989) [Switzerland]

Day 246: Protector – Golem (1988) [Germany]

Released: October 21st 1988 via Atom H

Easily as heavy (heavier even) than anything released by Kreator, Destruction, Sodom etc at the time, Protector‘s debut album was the sound of the German thrash underground at its most corrosive and most frightening. 

A relentless barrage of hyperactive, hyper-speed death / black / thrash riffs greeted those of us brave enough to embrace this sort of filth and an instant cult classic debut was born. Golem‘s blackened thrash attack was necro-enough to appeal to early Sodom, early Destruction and Possessed fans, and while the likes of Kreator were courting MTV, Protector were keeping the underground flame alive. 

The ranking of this album will irk many (some will no doubt claim that it deserves top 3 status), but time has not been quite so kind to Golem‘s relatively rudimentary charms as nostalgia will probably lead you to believe. It still kicks almighty ass though! 

Day 247: Hexenhaus – The Edge Of Eternity (1990) [Sweden]

Also recommended: Their entire back catalogue!

Day 248: Taramis – Stretch Of The Imagination (1991) [Australia]

Day 249: Megace – Human Errors (1991) [Germany]

Also recommended: Megace – Inner War (1999)

Day 250: Torture – Storm Alert (1989) [USA]

Released: 1989 via Metalcore

Home to eerie The Omen-esque intros, demonic vocals and whip-crack thrashing, the one and only full length album from Texas’ Torture was always a feral beast and one utterly committed to thrashing your tits off….and the passing of time has not softened its impact!

Kindred spirits of Dark Angel, Slayer and Possessed, these evil sounding bastards may have laced their visceral attack with twisted humour – check out the absurd intro to “Slay Ride” – but where they excelled was in delivering track after track of hyper-speed thrash.

“Ignominious Slaughter” was pure proto-death metal; obscenely fast and excessively violent and way ahead of the curve. In comparison, the epic title track was progressive thrash gold; an atmospheric 8 minute Ride The Lightning-esque smörgåsbord of ideas and no end of satisfying chug.

Day 251: Necronomicon – Escalation (1988) [Germany]

Day 252: Deathrow – Raging Steel (1987) [Germany]

Day 253: Midas Touch – Presage Of Diaster (1989) [Sweden]

Day 254: National Napalm Syndicate – National Napalm Syndicate (1989) [Finland]

Day 255: Gladiator’s Designation (1992) [Slovakia]

Day 256: Destructor – Maximum Destruction (1985) [USA]

Released: November 1985 via Auburn Records

With band members christening themselves Matt Flammable, Pat Rabid, Dave Overkill and Dave Holocaust, you’re not looking for subtlety when you blast Destructor’s 1985 debut Maximum Destruction….. you’re looking for unadulterated THRASH with a side order of POWER! 

And guess what? That’s exactly what you get!

Maximum Destruction’s riotously rudimentary nature may sound antiquated to modern ears but these guys were at the forefront of extremity in 1985, matching Slayer in the ferocity stakes and unleashing all manner of merry thrashin’ hell in the name youthful abandonment. An often overlooked release, Maximum Destruction was every inch the equal of Slayer’s Show No Mercy and Anthrax’s Fistful Of Metaland Destructor fully deserved to reach a wider audience with their reprehensibly raw racket.

Day 257: Metal Church – Metal Church (1985) [USA]

Day 258: Exciter – Heavy Metal Maniac (1983) [Canada]

Day 259: Slayer – Show No Mercy (1983) [USA]

Day 260: Metallica – Kill ‘Em All (1983) [USA]

Day 261: Celtic Frost – To Mega Therion (1985) [Switzerland]

Day 262: Megadeth – Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good! (1985) [USA]

Released: June 12th 1985 via Combat Records

Miraculously, a rejected genius with a spiralling drug addiction (and a mouth that refused to stay shut) led to such auspicious beginnings!

Killing Is My Business… showcases Megadeth at their most unrefined and unrestrained, with “Rattlehead” and “Mechanic” particularly endearing the band to slathering thrash fans the world over while providing ample evidence that great things were to come.

While it may lack the precision pummelling of Rust In Peace etc, any shortcomings found on Killing Is My Business… (and there sure ain’t many!) were balanced out via boundless energy and a steadfast determination like no other.

Metallica’s loss was undoubtedly the world’s gain.

Day 263: Kreator – Endless Pain (1985) [Germany]

Day 264: Razor – Executioner’s Song (1985) [Canada]

Day 265: Overkill – Feel The Fire (1985) [USA]

Day 266: Heathen – Breaking The Silence (1987) [USA]

Day 267: Tankard – Zombie Attack (1986) [Germany]

Day 268: Artillery – Fear Of Tomorrow (1985)[Denmark]

Released: August 9th 1985 via Neat Records

Denmark’s Artillery have often found themselves criminally ignored and although 1990’s By Inheritance is their masterpiece, it’s Fear Of Tomorrow that deserves to be revered for its contribution to thrash metal’s ascendancy.

Insanely-fast tremolo picking and machine-gun drums provide the battery while Artillery’s penchant for settling into mid-paced groove counterbalances the speed; no more so than on album highlights “The Almighty” and “King, Thy Name Is Slayer”.

If this gem is collecting dust in your collection it’s time to unearth it’s intricate treasures…. because thrash this good deserves to be heard!

Day 269: Coroner – R.I.P. (1987) [Switzerland]

Day 270: Hirax – Raging Violence (1985) [USA]

Day 271: Paradox – Product Of Imagination (1987) [Germany]

Day 272: Nasty Savage – Nasty Savage (1985) [USA]

Day 273: Toxik – World Circus (1987) [USA]

Day 274: Sacrilege B.C. – Party With God (1986) [USA]

Also recommended: Sacrilege B.C. – Too Cool To Pray (1988)

Day 275: Viking – Do Or Die (1988) [USA]

Day 276: Wargasm – Why Play Around? (1988) [USA]

Released: 1988 via Profile Records

Fusing the sonic onslaught of all-out thrash with the melodic nous of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal and the classic sounds of old-school heavy metal, Wargasm’s Why Play Around? is ignored by the majority…. but beloved by thrash connoisseurs!

“Bullets & Blades” took the speed and aggression of Motorhead and Tank and thrashed the shit out of ’em, while “Revenge” harnessed a mid-paced crunch to drive home some truly catchy riffing and its “knee deep in blood” refrain.

So much potential, so much talent. In 1988, Why Play Around? may have failed to stand out in a crowded scene of quality releases (Metallica’s …And Justice For All, Anthrax’s State Of Euphoria, Exodus’ Fabulous Disaster, Flotsam’s No Place For Disgrace, Testament’s The New Order etc, etc) but that’s no reason for ignoring it now!

Day 277: Vulcano – Bloody Vengeance (1986) [Brazil]

Day 278: Target – Mission Executed (1986) [Belgium]

Day 279: Watchtower – Energetic Dissasembly (1985) [USA]

Day 280: Sieges Even – Lifecycle (1988) [Germany]

Released: October 1st 1988 via Steamhammer

Sieges Even may have gone on to become a more considered, melodic progressive metal act but their debut was a beast of technical / progressive thrash, powered by the almost falsetto delivery of Franz Herde.

Comparisons with Watchtower remain rife but to dismiss Lifecycle as a mere clone of Control And Resistance would be missing the point. This was an era of exploration and of pushing boundaries, which is exactly what Sieges Even were doing from the outset.

Sure, both bands were influenced by the prog giants of the 70’s – alongside the thrash boom led by Metallica – but Sieges Even took everything that much further, splicing the DNA of prog and thrash to create a new, extreme, version of both. The results were extraordinary, dazzling the mind with a series of labyrinthine structures that were brooding, malevolent and practically beyond judgment!

Day 281: Suicidal Tendencies – Join The Army (1987) [USA]

Day 282: Ludichrist – Immaculate Deception (1986) [USA]

Also recommended: Ludichrist – Powertrip (1988)

Day 283: Crumbsuckers – Beast on My Back (B.O.M.B.) (1988) [USA]

Also recommended: Crumbsuckers – Life Of Dreams (1986)

Day 284: Wehrmacht – Shark Attack (1987) [USA]

Also recommended: Wehrmacht – Biērmächt (1988)

Day 285: Carnivore – Carnivore (1986) [USA]

Also recommended: Carnivore – Retaliation (1987)

Day 286: S.O.D. – Speak English Or Die (1985) [USA]

Released: August 30th 1985 via Megaforce Records

S.O.D were completely devoid of tact, they were politically incorrect, full of humour (very black humour) and capable of thrashing your nuts clean off!

One of the first bands to throw hardcore punk and thrash into a blender, S.O.D were just some young punks letting off steam (Anthax’s Scott Ian and Charlie Benante reuniting with ex-bassist Dan Lilker and recruiting vocalist Billy Milano) but turned out to be one of the 80’s most influential bands.

S.O.D invented crossover thrash and systematically crushed your head in with heavy-hitters such as “Sargent D and the S.O.D.”, “Milano Mosh” and “Identity”. In hindsight, much of Speak English Or Die’s lyrical content is dubious/risky at best…. but that doesn’t detract from the fact it remains a crossover thrash masterpiece!

Day 287: Leeway – Born To Expire (1989) [USA]

Day 288: D.R.I. – Thrash Zone (1989) [USA]

Also recommended: D.R.I. – Full Speed Ahead (1995)

Day 289: Excel – The Jokes On You (1989) [USA]

Day 290: Cryptic Slaughter – Money Talks (1987) [USA]

Also recommended: Cryptic Slaughter – Speak Your Peace (1990)

Day 291: Uncle Slam – Will Work For Food (1993) [USA]

Also recommended: Uncle Slam – Say Uncle (1988)

Day 292: Attitude Adjustment – American Paranoia (1986) [USA]

Day 293: Paralysis – Visions (1994) [Netherlands]

Also recommended: Paralysis – Architecture of the Imagination (2000)

Day 294: Mystrez – The Indictment (1990) [Netherlands]

Day 295: Genetic Wisdom – The Fear Dimension Futurity And Human Depressions (1993) [Netherlands]

Also recommended: Genetic Wisdom – Humanity On Parole (1994)

Day 296: Osiris – Futurity And Human Depressions (1991) [Netherlands]

Day 297: Donor – Triangle Of The Lost (1992) [Netherlands]

Day 298: Num Skull – Ritually Abused (1988) [USA]

Released: 1988 via Medusa Records

Ritually Abused may have been ritually ignored on release but there’s no denying its deathly thrashin’ pedigree and albums this savage rarely reared their snarling, slathering head in the late 80’s.

Redefining what it meant to be truly brutal, Num Skull‘s debut may have been neanderthal in essence but fans of Kreator’s early noise – and those fond of the ferocity of Reign in Blood era Slayer and Exodus circa Bonded By Blood – would undoubtedly offer themselves up to the kind of abuse Num Skull were dishing out.

Speed, aggression and unbelievably unhinged vocals characterised album highlights “The Henchman”, the Exodus-esque “No Morals” and the utterly merciless title track….true American hate performed by absolute maniacs!

Day 299: Solstice – Solstice (1992) [USA]

Day 300: Merciless – The Awakening (1990) [Sweden]

Also recommended: Merciless – The Treasures Within (1992) / Merciless – Unbound (1994)

Day 301: Epidemic – Decameron (1992) [USA]

Day 302: Sarcófago – The Laws Of Scourge (1991) [Brazil]

Day 303: Slaughter – Strappado (1987) [Canada]

Day 304: Messiah – Hymn To Abramelin (1986) [Switzerland]

Day 305: Minotaur – Power Of Darkness (1988) [Germany]

Day 306: Pestilence – Mallevs Maleficarvm (1988) [Netherlands]

Day 307: Incubus (aka Opprobrium) – Serpent Temptation (1988) [USA]

Not those digerideroo-blowing nu metal wombats, this is the real Incubus; a towering death/thrash colossus who annihilated their 80’s competition with debut album, Serpent Temptation!

Incubus/Opprobrium were extreme (in every sense of the word) and they were absurdly talented, tempering their ferocity with intricate riffing and a superb sense of dynamics. It has to be said, this shit was astonishingly heavy back in ’88; a savage re-appropriation of thrash metal’s fundamental’s strapped to death metal’s still to be completed blueprint. The results were almost beyond comprehension, with Incubus paving the way for countless acts who took thrash/death into ever heavier realms as the 90’sdawned and death metal took hold.

A hyper-speed, proto-death metal classic, Serpent Temptation deserves to be considered an equal of Dark Angel’s Darkness Descends, Slayer’s Reign In Blood and Kreator’s Pleasure To Kill and should have been heard by everyone!

Day 308: Sadus – A Visions Of Misery (1992) [USA]

Day 309: Living Sacrifice – Living Sacrifice (1991) [USA]

Day 310: Insanity – Death After Death (1993) [USA]

Day 311: Abomination – Tragedy Strikes (1991) [USA]

Released: 1991 via Nuclear Blast

Paul Speckmann may be revered as one of the Godfather’s of death metal but the great man also turned his attention to thrash in the early 90’s and while Abomination‘s debut was solid, its follow up, Tragedy Strikes, was a different beast altogether. Raw, real and utterly remorseless, Tragedy Strikes cut deep with political diatribes, powerful compositions and a sincerity rarely head in thrash.

Abomination’s hate, bile and utter contempt for the world as they saw it bleeds profusely through album highlights “Pull The Plug”, “Will They Bleed” and the still apt “Blood For Oil” (the meaning of this one shouldn’t come as a surprise for those who remember the first Gulf War).

Death-thrash rarely comes loaded with this much gravitas and while Tragedy Strikes may not be friendly, it’ll sure as hell earn your respect!

Day 312: Overthrow – Within Suffering (1990) [USA]

Day 313: Agressor – Neverending Destiny (1990) [France]

Day 314: Dead Orchestra – Global Lobotomy (USA) [1992]

Day 315: Silent Scream – From The Darkest Depths Of The Imagination (1992) [USA]

Day 316: Disciples Of Power – Power Trap (1989) [Canada]

Released: 1989 via Fringe Product

One of those more obscure thrash albums (and bands) who had everything, Disciples Of Power were already sucker-punching the majority of their peers with debut full length Power Trap; a release which showcased this outstanding band’s ability to meld primal thrash aggression, death metal tendencies and progressive thrash structures into a satisfying whole.

The acoustic interplay and almost jazzy swing of exquisite opener “Shades of Grey” reels you in from the get-go and once Disciples of Power fully let rip with their metallic tendencies there’s no turning back! Think a heavier, more death/thrash inclined version of Artillery circa By Inheritance and you’ll have an idea of what (hell) awaits.  

The production may be shite but there’s no denying the talent Disciples Of Power clearly had in spades and the merciless nature of their attack – coupled with Watchtower-esque levels of technicality – marks Power Trap out as one of the best thrash albums you’ve probably never heard.

Also recommended: Disciples Of Power – Invincible Enemy (1993)

Day 317: Mortuary – Nothingless Than Nothingness (2016) [France]

Day 318: The Bleeding – Morbid Prophecy (2019) [UK]

Also recommended: The Bleeding – Rites of Absolution (2017) / Monokrator (2023)

Day 319: Schizophrenia – Recollections Of The Insane (2022) [Belgium]

Day 320: Rapture – Paroxysm Of Hatred (2018) [Greece]

Released: January 22nd 2018 via Memento Mori 

Rapture are simply colossal, rewinding the clock back to the late 80’s with ridiculous ease and un-restrainable confidence as they clattered their way through 8 tracks of pure death-thrash malevolence. Looking to fracture your skull with each and every precision-tooled tempo change, the likes of “Thriving On Atrocity”, “Misanthropic Outburst” and the 7 minute title track were pure savagery; deftly balancing the brutality of death metal with the speed and aggression of thrash and delivering a time-capulse of an album in the process.

Paroxysm Of Hatred is the late 80’s Death album you’ve never heard, it’s the bridge between Sepultura’s Schizophrenia and Beneath The Remains and it’s arguably what would have happened had Sadus and Dark Angel teamed up in the early 90’s to form a wrecking-ball of a supergroup.

Too much praise? Perhaps, but with Paroxysm Of Hatred we honestly thought we were listening to a ‘lost’ album from the glory days of death-thrash…. and there can be no greater compliment than that! 

Also recommended: Rapture – Malevolent Demise Incarnation (2021)

Day 321: Hellbastard – Natural Order (1990) [UK]

Day 322: Crionic – Different (1993) [Czechia]

Day 323: Re-Animator – Condemned To Eternity (1990) [UK]

Day 324: Tourniquet – Pathogenic Ocular Dissonance (1992) [USA]

Day 325: Mekong Delta – The Principle Of Doubt (1989) [Germany]

Released: February 28th 1989 via Aaarrg Records

Mekong Delta often operated on another level entirely and this, their 3rd full length album, was certainly no exception! The chug of Anthrax-esque riffs may have provided the core of their sound but Mekong Delta stood out from the pack via their otherworldly solos, frantic percussion and abstract background noise; resulting in a sonic maelstrom often inconceivable in its complexity.

To sound like you’re playing a different song to your bandmates and still fashion these sounds into something resembling a recognisable song structure is a feat in itself…..and yet, Mekong Delta managed it time and time again.

Just give the title track a spin and try telling us your head isn’t left spinning from the sheer madness of it all!

Day 326: Meliah Rage – Solitary Solitude (1990) [USA]

Day 327: Coroner – Mental Vortex (1991) [Switzerland]

Day 328: Hobbs’ Angel Of Death – Hobbs’ Angel Of Death (1988) [Australia]

Released: March 1988 via Steamhammer

Ostensibly a solo venture for ex-Tyrus guitarist Peter Hobbs, Hobbs’ Angel Of Death was an old-school thrash album, unsurprisingly in thrall to the satanic noise belched forth by thrash giants Slayer (Hell Awaits era).

A cult act par excellence, Hobbs’ Angel Of Death may not have registered on the global scene but tracks such as caustic opener “House of Death” and the bludgeoning “Crucifixion” were equal to anything coming from the Bay Area and should have seen the band rise swiftly up the ranks, as opposed to merely falling by the wayside.

Ripping death/thrash delivered with 100% satanic conviction, when it comes to Australian thrash, Hobbs’ Angel Of Death should have been the album to break the big leagues. It’s that convincing.

Day 329: DBC – Universe (1989) [Canada]

Day 330: Coven – Blessed Is The Black (1986) [USA]

Day 331: Sacrament – Haunts Of Violence (1992) [USA]

Day 332: Aggression – The Full Treatment (1987) [Canada]

Day 333: Jester’s March – Beyond (1991) [Germany]

Released: February 25th 1991 via Steamhammer

Utterly unpredictable and progressive within its own, seemingly limitless boundaries, Beyond is yet another example of a 90’s band taking the blueprint of thrash and contorting it to suit their own agenda.

The Germans were always at the forefront of emerging trends and Dortmund’s Jester’s March were no different. Here was a band who fashioned an album of heavily melodic prog metal, enriched with thrash influences, layered vocals and 80’s keyboards.

With vocals courtesy of Olaf Bilic recalling the dramatic power of Queensrÿche’s Geoff Tate, this early 90’s euro-prog effort channelled the classic sound of 80’s prog with the harder-hitting riffs of thrash. The results were suitably bombastic, as richly rewarding in complexity as they were in accessibility and preceded the sounds arguably perfected by Symphony X and Shadow Gallery as the decade came to an end.

Day 334: Believer – Dimensions (1993) [USA]

Day 335: Lost Century – Complex Microcosm (Movement in Nine Rituals) (1994) [Germany]

Day 336: Savage Steel – Do Or Die (1988) [Canada]

Day 337: Sodom – M-16 (2001) [Germany]

Day 338: Kreator – Terrible Certainty (1987) [Germany]

Day 339: Anacrusis – Suffering Hour (1988) [USA]

Released: 1988 via Axis Records

Anacrusis‘ debut, Suffering Hour, remains an overlooked moment in thrash history and is the only album in their formidable back catalogue to be classifiable as true ‘thrash’.

Joining the likes of Watchtower, Voivod and Mekong Delta in constructing complex arrangements and schizophrenically unique songs that flow through dozens of exhilarating tempo changes, Anacrusis’ youthful exuberance and disjointed clamour exhibited nothing but an alluring charm and a desire to challenge thrash’s boundaries.

Anacrusis’ debut had it all – intelligence, alarming momentum, hollowed-out groove, fiendish rhythms, atonal experimentation, a forebodingly dark and dense sound and a character all of its own. Precious few albums are capable of surprising the listener with each repeat listen but Suffering Hour achieved this and more.

Day 340: Hallows Eve – Tales Of Terror (1985) [USA]

Day 341: Defiance – Void Terra Firma (1990) [USA]

Day 342: Assassin – The Upcoming Terror (1987) [Germany]

Day 343: Sanctuary – Refuge Denied (1988) [USA]

Day 344: Pariah – Blaze Of Obscurity (1989) [UK]

Released: April 15th 1989 via Steamhammer

A classic sounding thrash band before the term could even be applied, there was something inviting about Pariah’s thrashed up New Wave Of British Heavy Metal based output; of which Blaze Of Obscurity was their finest hour.

Formed from the ashes of NWOBHM heroes Satan, Pariah would go on to donate Graeme English and Steve Ramsey to Skyclad but first came this magnificent slice of melodic thrash magnificence. The perfect companion piece to Onslaught’s equally ambitious In Search Of Sanity, Pariah’s astonishing array of complex riffs and expansive song writing should have found them beloved the world over.

As it transpired, Pariah were treated in a manner befitting their name and split after just two short years.

However, Blaze Of Obscurity is so ridiculously accomplished that it deserves nothing less than total reappraisal and should be considered a benchmark for 80’s speed metal and thrash metal guitar work.

Day 345: Seventh Angel – Lament For The Weary (1991) [UK]

Day 346: Allegiance – D.E.S.T.I.T.U.T.I.O.N. (1994) [Australia]

Day 347: Sacrilege – Within The Prophecy (1987) [UK]

Day 348: Grinder – Dead End (1989) [Germany]

Released: 1989 via No Remorse Records

Beginning with “Agent Orange” (not a cover of Sodom’s classic but a ‘classic’ of their own making), Grinder‘s stomping, militarised, rotor-riffs flow flawlessly into the kind of quality melodic thrash that should have adhered these German thrashers to millions.

Channeling the highly melodic noise of Flotsam and Jetsam and Anthrax, Grinder stillmanaged to create something a little different in the thrash world; no easy task by the time the late 80’s rolled around. Playing with structure and speed, Grinder’s skill lay in fluid bass lines and taking the turn least expected. The result? An album that remains unpredictable and surprisingly unique.

In particular, Dead End‘s title track is a thrash monster, a totally unique speed/thrash workout which traverses more moods and more terrain than most thrash albums manage in their entirety!

Day 349: Vulture – Fatal Games (1990) [Netherlands]

Day 350: Toxic Shock – Welcome Home… Near Dark (1990) [Germany]

Day 351: Deliverance – Weapons Of Our Warfare (1990) [USA]

Day 352: Powermad – Absolute Power (1989) [USA]

Day 353: Watchtower – Control And Resistance (1989) [USA]

Day 354: Destruction – Release From Agony (1987) [Germany]

Released: December 1st 1987 via Steamhammer

Destruction may have started life as a rough ‘n’ ready blackened thrash band but by the time their third full length album arrived, 1987’s Release From Agony, they’d transformed themselves into a technical thrash act par excellence.

The mad butcher didn’t just strike back with this album, it hacked and sliced its way through the competition and while (originally) the quality of Release From Agony‘s production left a lot to be desired, the likes of “Sign Of Fear” and  “Survive To Die” indicated that Destruction were now operating on a higher level than the majority of their peers.

A thrilling combination of insanely technical riffs and abstract song structures marks out Release From Agony as a true masterpiece of Teutonic thrash……and Destruction would, arguably, never be so wilfully obscure again!

Day 355: Metallica – …And Justice for All (1988) [USA]

Day 356: Metal Church – The Dark (1986) [USA]

Day 357: Slayer – Seasons In The Abyss (1990) [USA]

Released: October 9th 1990 via Def American Recordings

Seasons In The Abyss is the one Slayer album which successfully combined the all-out assault of Reign in Blood with the more considered, ominous grooves of South Of Heaven…. and the result was arguably the most accessible album of Slayer’s illustrious career.

All out thrashers such as “War Ensemble” and “Hallowed Point” cosied up to ‘catchier’ material such as “Blood Red” and “Skeletons Of Society”, while on “Dead Skin Mask” and Seasons In The Abyss‘ epic title-track, Slayer proved they could stretch thrash metal’s boundaries without sacrificing their distinctive macabre sound.

Slayer achieved a deft balancing act on Seasons In The Abyss, with the fantastical, hellish themes of old jostling with our planet’s real life atrocities (War/Urban Gang Violence/Serial Killers) to create an atmosphere with as many peaks and troughs as their many varied riffs.

By the time the 90s rolled round, their peers may have deserted them but Slayer held strong; defiant to the very end!

Day 358: Kreator – Coma Of Souls (1990) [Germany]

Day 359: Overkill – The Years Of Decay (1989) [USA]

Day 360: Exodus – Fabulous Disaster (1989) [USA]

Day 361: Possessed – Seven Churches (1985) [USA]

Day 362: Anthrax – Spreading The Disease (1985) [USA]

Day 363: Testament – Practice What You Preach (1989) [USA]

Released: August 8th 1989 via Megaforce Records

Practice What You Preach, the third studio album from American thrash metal royalty Testament, took these Californians to the next level as Chuck Billy and the boys attempted to crack the stranglehold The Big 4 held on late 80’s thrash!

This was the album that should have done it as well, with the likes of the title track, “Greenhouse Effect” and “The Ballad” showcasing a more mature band; one who were turning their attention away from occult themes to socio / political / environmental concerns instead.

Mediative they may have been but this hardly dampened the fiery thrash spirit that burned inside, and with a flurry of thrash anthems that bristled with raw energy and aggression, it’s unsurprising that Practice What You Preach has gone down in thrash history as one of Testament’s greatest ever achievements (and there’s been a few)!

Day 364: Sepultura – Schizophrenia (1987) [Brazil]

Day 365: Metallica – Master Of Puppets (1986) [USA]

Day 366: Slayer – Reign In Blood (1986) [USA]

Yes, Day 366….because 2024 was a leap year – so we all got a bonus album!!!