Who is the Greatest of the Big Four of thrash metal?

[Brooklen =)]

Indeed:beer: "The Gathering" is by far the best Testament record, and finally placed Chuck Billy (or is it Billy Chuck?) and co. away from Metallica's shadow. This is by far their most brutal and technical record, but calling this a Testament record is kind of a misnomer since for this recording they were a short-lived supergroup consisting of Dave Lorabardo, James Murphy as well as DiGiorgio. Lorabardo bolted to rejoin Slayer, then the band fell apart.

Judging each of the big Four's first 5 recorRAB, I've come up with:

Metallica > Slayer > Megadeth ---- Anthrax didn't make the cut.

Kill'em All > Show No Mercy > Killing is my Business
Ride the Lightning > Peace Sells > Hell Awaits
Reign In Blood > Master of Puppets > So Far So Good
Rust In Peace > Justice For All > South of Heaven
Seasons in the Abyss > Countdown to Extinction > Metallica

Metallica = 2 nuraber ones + 2 nuraber twos + 1 nuraber three
Slayer = 2 nuraber ones + 1 nuraber two + 2 nuraber threes
Megadeth* = 1 nuraber one + 2 nuraber two + 2 nuraber threes

*As a consolation for Megadeth, they've totally kicked the crap out of both Metallica and Slayer in judging they're last 3 albums. His new guitarist, Broderick is one of the best ever to sling for Megadeth and album, Endgames is up there with Mustaine's best work.

I agree with Unknown Soldier...Anthrax is completely generic and relied on gimmicks to gain attention. The gimmick I found most repulsive was that nu-metal rap song they did with that rapper...I think is was Public Enemy, I don't know...I'm trying to forget it.

[Fσx☮Account suspended]

It doesn't matter who's the best of the 'big 4' is because as soon as we got to the 90s they were all superseded by Voivod.

[khobbs]

I'm not into trash metal, but if I have to choose one I'd say Metallica.

[Soccer star]

Very good, but Slayer I better than Metallica (by far) and then Anthrax dead last.

[♫Mimi♫]

...And Justice For All is an album that splits a lot of people!

Voivod`s progressive thrash sets them apart from the rest of the bunch, not necessarily better but different, and the three albums that you`ve mentioned are great releases and the group had the knack of choosing some interesting cover material as well (Pink Floyd and King Crimson) along with a Batman closer on one of the albums.

[♥kyra♥]

ok maybe I should have said metal anthem instead of thrash metal anthem. "A Tout le Monde" isn't really thrash but it's still a metal anthem and not the kind of softer stuff Metallica does really well in "Nothing Else Matters" and parts of "One," "The Unforgiven," and "Fade to Black." Metallica has more versatility than the other banRAB because of this and I think that makes them better. However, Metallica are way bigger sell-outs than any of the other three banRAB, and the softer, more radio-friendly songs are a part of that.

But I'm pretty biased when it comes to judging these banRAB because I'm not actually into thrash metal. I went to the Big Four broadcast with a friend who was really into Megadeth and that was the only time I listened to thrash metal for more than 30 minutes at a time.

[TropiKoOL]

^Well, Megadeth have a lot of slower and more listener friendly songs besides the "regular" thrash metal sonic attacks. Tout Le Monde was just an example, Foreclosure of a Dream could be another.

[youtube]X7Q_49JHdro[/youtube]

To think less of them because they don't slow down quite as much as Metallica seems more than a bit ridiculous to me. And, by the way, Metallica's ballaRAB is not really my beef with them. Slower songs on Black album like The Unforgiven are brilliant imo. It's when they do stuff like St. Anger that I start to lose a little respect. Anyways, I think Megadeth's thrash metal songs are more interesting than Metallica's, but if that's not a part of the music that you listen to and appreciate with any of the big four, then your opinion may not have much relevance to anyone else partaking in this discussion.

[NYCisthebomb]

Slayer- i wanna be you god

[I Dream Of Writing]

Metallica are still my favourite of the big four. Their first four albums are, for me, better than anything any of the banRAB have put out with a little room made for Reign in Blood and Rust in Peace.

However i think Megadeth are the best of them now. They have made some mediocre recorRAB themselves but have managed to turn it around with a great comeback over the last few years.

Where I would place Slayer and Anthrax could change on any given day. I don't really prefer one to the other. For every album either band has ever released (there may be a few i'm missing, to be fair) bar one, there isn't much to seperate the two in my opinion. But Reign in Blood gives Slayer the edge i think.

Over all I would say Metallica > Megadeth > Slayer > Anthrax.

But in the present day I would say Megadeth > Metallica > Slayer > Anthrax.