Editing Thrash metal (section)

== History ==
=== Roots (1970s–early 1980s) ===
[[File:Venom live at hellfest.jpg|thumb|right|[[Venom (band)|Venom]]'s early work is considered a major influence on thrash metal.]]
The term "proto-thrash" has been used to describe bands as having elements of [[speed metal]] or thrash metal before those genres came to prominence in the early-to-mid-1980s. [[Deep Purple]]'s 1970 album ''[[Deep Purple in Rock]]'' is perhaps the earliest proto-thrash/speed metal album, as music journalist [[Martin Popoff]] noted, "It's really about the discipline and classical haughtiness of this record, as well as 'Hard Lovin' Man' which is a great contender for first proto-thrash song ever."<ref name="goldminemag"/> [[Queen (band)|Queen]]'s 1974 song "[[Stone Cold Crazy]]" and [[Black Sabbath]]'s "[[Symptom of the Universe (song)|Symptom of the Universe]]", released the following year, have also been cited as examples of proto-thrash/speed metal; the latter of which was a direct inspiration for [[Diamond Head (English band)|Diamond Head]]'s pioneering song "[[Am I Evil?]]".<ref>{{cite web|first= Chris |last= Jones |title= Queen Sheer Heart Attack Review |publisher= [[BBC Music]] |date= 7 June 2007 |access-date= 25 May 2011 |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/xxhj}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|title=Black Sabbath: Symptom of the Universe|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/symptom-of-the-universe-the-original-black-sabbath-1970-1978-mw0000662212|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=27 August 2014|archive-date=28 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131028132634/http://www.allmusic.com/album/symptom-of-the-universe-the-original-black-sabbath-1970-1978-mw0000662212|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[new wave of British heavy metal]] (NWOBHM) bands emerging from Britain in the late 1970s further influenced the development of early thrash. The early work of artists such as Diamond Head, [[Iron Maiden]], [[Venom (band)|Venom]], [[Motörhead]], [[Tygers of Pan Tang]], [[Raven (British band)|Raven]], [[Saxon (band)|Saxon]] and [[Angel Witch]], among others, introduced the fast-paced and intricate musicianship that became core aspects of thrash. [[Phil Taylor (musician)|Phil Taylor]]'s double-bass drumming featured in Motörhead's 1979 song "[[Overkill (Motörhead song)|Overkill]]" has been acknowledged by many thrash drummers, most notably [[Lars Ulrich]], as a primary influence on their playing. Thrash metal bands have also taken inspiration from [[Judas Priest]], with [[Slayer]] guitarist [[Kerry King]] saying that, "There would be no Slayer without Priest."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/slayer-kerry-king-judas-priest-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-1297500/ |title=Slayer's Kerry King on Why Judas Priest Matter |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |last=Grow |first=Kory |date=March 10, 2022 |access-date=March 23, 2024}}</ref> [[Metal Blade Records]] executive [[Brian Slagel]] played a key role in bringing the NWOBHM to a larger audience, as he was responsible for discovering both [[Metallica]] and Slayer and producing their earliest studio recordings.

Greg Prato of [[Ultimate Guitar]] notes, "Although the thrash movement seemed to have much more in common with punk than prog fashion-wise (leather jackets vs. capes), musically, there were certainly moments when thrash leaned more towards the [[progressive rock|prog]] side of things."<ref name="prog"/> Canadian progressive rock band [[Rush (band)|Rush]] has been cited a formative influence on the thrash metal movement and the birth of its subgenre technical thrash metal (or "[[progressive metal|progressive thrash metal]]"), which is known for combining traditional thrash metal with elements of [[progressive music|progressive]], [[jazz fusion|jazz]] or [[classical music]].<ref name="prog"/><ref name="metallerium"/> In a 2013 interview with ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', Anthrax drummer [[Charlie Benante]] said: "When I was first learning to play drums, I would strap on my headphones, play along with [Rush's live album ''[[All the World's a Stage (album)|All the World's a Stage]]''] and be transformed. I remember talking with [[Cliff Burton|Cliff]] and [[Kirk Hammett|Kirk]] back when we first met, and we all agreed how much of an influence Rush was on all of us."<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Anthrax Pay Tribute to Rush With 'Anthem' – Song Premiere |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=January 21, 2013 |access-date=October 31, 2024 |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/anthrax-pay-tribute-to-rush-with-anthem-song-premiere/}}</ref>

The thrash metal genre is also strongly influenced by [[punk rock]], drawing inspiration from sources ranging from traditional punk bands from the 1970s, including the [[New York Dolls]], the [[Ramones]], the [[Sex Pistols]] and the [[Dead Boys]],<ref name="thrashpionners">{{cite web|first=Lauryn |last=Schaffner |title=15 Bands Considered Pioneers of Thrash Metal |publisher=[[Loudwire]] |date=April 10, 2020 |access-date=May 9, 2024 |url=https://loudwire.com/bands-pioneered-thrash-metal/}}</ref> to late 1970s/early 1980s [[hardcore punk]] bands [[Discharge (band)|Discharge]],<ref name="ReferenceA">Knowles, Christopher.''The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll.'' Cleis Press, 2010</ref> [[GBH (band)|GBH]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/gbh_announce_first_us_tour_in_five_years.html|title=GBH Announce First US Tour in Five Years|publisher=[[Ultimate Guitar]]|access-date=May 9, 2024}}</ref> [[Black Flag (band)|Black Flag]],<ref>{{cite web|first=Tim |last=Stegall |title=11 bands and genres that prove Black Flag are a continued influence |publisher=[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]] |date=November 24, 2021 |access-date=May 9, 2024 |url=https://www.altpress.com/bands-influenced-by-black-flag-sonic-youth-slayer/}}</ref> the [[Misfits (band)|Misfits]], the [[Dead Kennedys]], and [[Bad Brains]].<ref name="thrashpionners"/> The Ramones' 1976 [[Ramones (album)|self-titled debut album]] in particular has been noted as a key influence on the genre, due to its sound, which introduced the three-chord thrash style of guitar.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Ramones – Why they were shit and how they ruined punk |website=getintothis.co.uk |date=November 24, 2015 |access-date=May 9, 2024 |url=https://www.getintothis.co.uk/2015/11/ramones-shit-ruined-punk/}}</ref> [[Void (band)|Void]] has been credited as one of the earliest examples of hardcore/heavy metal crossover, whose chaotic musical approach is often cited as particularly influential.<ref>{{cite news|last=Burton|first=Brent|url=http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/41541/classic-dc-hardcore-bands-faith-and-void-reissues-empty-the/|title=Two classic D.C. hardcore bands empty their vaults|newspaper=[[Washington City Paper]]|date=30 August 2011|access-date=11 August 2012|archive-date=27 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927212438/http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/41541/classic-dc-hardcore-bands-faith-and-void-reissues-empty-the/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Their 1982 [[Faith / Void Split|split LP]] with fellow Washington band [[The Faith (American band)|The Faith]] showed both bands exhibiting quick, fiery, high-speed punk rock. It has been argued that those recordings laid the foundation for early thrash metal, at least in terms of selected tempos,<ref>{{cite web|first=Ned|last=Raggett|title=The Faith/Void Split LP|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-faith-void-split-lp-mw0000233256|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=11 August 2012|archive-date=15 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715025330/http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-faith-void-split-lp-mw0000233256|url-status=live}}</ref> and that thrash is essentially hardcore punk with the technical proficiency missing from that genre. The crossover with hardcore punk has also been cited as important influence on thrash, especially the English hardcore punk band Discharge, whose "influence on heavy metal is incalculable and metal superstars such as Metallica, Anthrax, [[Machine Head (band)|Machine Head]], [[Sepultura]], [[Soulfly]], [[Prong (band)|Prong]] and [[Arch Enemy (band)|Arch Enemy]] have covered Discharge's songs in tribute."<ref name="ReferenceA"/> The eponymous [[Dirty Rotten LP|debut]] [[Suicidal Tendencies (album)|albums]] by [[Dirty Rotten Imbeciles|D.R.I.]] and [[Suicidal Tendencies]], both released in 1983, have been credited for paving the way for [[thrashcore]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ox-fanzine.de/review/dri-dirty-rotten-lp-73513|title=Review - DRI - Dirty Rotten LP - Issue #92 - Ox Fanzine|website=ox-fanzine.de|access-date=May 9, 2024|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Tim |last=Jones |title=Thrash Under Pressure: Suicidal Tendencies |website=allabouttherock.co.uk |date=April 5, 2016 |access-date=May 9, 2024 |url=https://allabouttherock.co.uk/thrash-pressure-suicidal-tendencies/}}</ref>

In Latin America, this genre also gained a lot of strength, and its creation is also attributed to it, since it began to gain popularity due to the dictatorships that many countries faced at that time, with bands like [[V8 (Argentine band)|V8]] (1979) with their debut albums ''Demo 1982'' or ''[[Luchando por el Metal|Luchando por el metal]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|last=Chaves|first=Sebastian|date=1 July 2020|title=Los 40 años de metal argentino: la historia detrás de la génesis de V8 y la fundación del heavy metal en el país|work=La Nacion|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/espectaculos/los-40-anos-metal-argentino-origenes-v8-nid2387742/|access-date=16 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201348/https://www.lanacion.com.ar/espectaculos/los-40-anos-metal-argentino-origenes-v8-nid2387742/|url-status=live}}</ref> from [[Argentina]], [[Transmetal (band)|Transmetal]] (1987) from [[Mexico]], also the band [[Massakre (band)|Massakre]] (1985) in [[Chile]].
[[File:V8 - Luchando por el metal.png|thumb|Album cover ''[[Luchando por el Metal]]'', by the Argentinian band [[V8 (Argentine band)|V8]], which was formed in 1979]]
In Europe, the earliest band of the emerging thrash movement was Venom from [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], formed in 1978. Their 1982 album ''[[Black Metal (Venom album)|Black Metal]]'' has been cited as a major influence on many subsequent genres and bands in the extreme metal world, such as [[Bathory (band)|Bathory]], [[Hellhammer]], Slayer, and [[Mayhem (band)|Mayhem]]. The European scene was almost exclusively influenced by the most aggressive music Germany and England were producing at the time. British bands such as [[Tank (band)|Tank]] and [[Raven (band)|Raven]], along with German bands [[Accept (band)|Accept]] (whose 1982 song "[[Fast as a Shark]]" is often credited as one of the first-ever thrash/speed metal songs)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/accepts-wolf-hoffmann-we-wrote-the-first-speed-metal-song-ever/|title=ACCEPT's WOLF HOFFMANN: 'We Wrote The First Speed Metal Song Ever'|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=10 January 2015|access-date=22 July 2021|archive-date=22 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722195253/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/accepts-wolf-hoffmann-we-wrote-the-first-speed-metal-song-ever/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/accepts-wolf-hoffmann-how-we-wrote-fast-as-a-shark/|title=ACCEPT's WOLF HOFFMANN: How We Wrote 'Fast As A Shark'|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=17 December 2018|access-date=22 July 2021|archive-date=22 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722195252/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/accepts-wolf-hoffmann-how-we-wrote-fast-as-a-shark/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="thrashpioneers">{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/10-speed-metal-songs-released-before-thrash/|title=10 Pioneering Speed Metal Songs Released Before Thrash's Birth|website=[[Loudwire]]|date=25 April 2018|access-date=22 July 2021|archive-date=9 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609065054/https://loudwire.com/10-speed-metal-songs-released-before-thrash/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Living Death (band)|Living Death]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Living Death Biography, Songs, & Albums |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/living-death-mn0000719562/biography |access-date=3 August 2022 |website=AllMusic |quote=One of Germany's -- indeed, the world's -- pioneering thrash metal bands ... |archive-date=3 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803231644/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/living-death-mn0000719562/biography |url-status=live }}</ref> motivated musicians from central Europe to start bands of their own, eventually producing groups such as [[Sodom (band)|Sodom]], [[Kreator]], and [[Destruction (band)|Destruction]] from Germany, as well as Switzerland's [[Celtic Frost]] (formed by two-thirds of [[Hellhammer]]), [[Coroner (band)|Coroner]] and Carrion (who later became [[Poltergeist (band)|Poltergeist]]) and Denmark's [[Artillery (band)|Artillery]].

===Thrash metal in the 1980s===
====Birth and underground expansion (1980–1983)====
Critics argue over who can be thought of as the first thrash metal band to exist. Most credit either British band [[Venom (band)|Venom]] or the genre's so-called "Big Four": [[Metallica]], [[Slayer]], [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]], and [[Megadeth]], with commentators crediting Venom as the first thrash metal band and others tending to favor the "Big Four", though many give equal credit to all those five bands.<ref name="MusicRadar"/><ref name="thrashpioneers"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Lelievre|first=Benoit|url=https://www.deadendfollies.com/blog/metal-outsiders-journey-thrash-metal-and-the-true-birth-of-evil|title=A Subjective History of Thrash Metal|website=deadendfollies.com|access-date=May 14, 2025}}</ref><ref name="tidal">{{cite web|last=Christe|first=Ian|url=https://tidal.com/magazine/article/thrash-metal-year-zero/1-90573|title=1983: Thrash Year's Zero|website=tidal.com|access-date=May 14, 2025}}</ref> The origins of thrash metal have also been traced to [[San Francisco Bay Area]] band [[Exodus (band)|Exodus]], who formed in 1979 and is the fifth band in what is sometimes considered the "Big Five".<ref name="tidal"/> The band released its first demo in 1982, simply titled ''Demo 1982'', which was widely circulated in the tape trading community and is credited for paving the way for the 1980s [[Bay Area thrash metal]] scene.<ref name="tidal"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-story-behind-exodus-bonded-by-blood|title=The story behind Exodus' Bonded By Blood|website=loudersound.com|access-date=May 14, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://lambgoat.com/news/11024/exodus-re-records-bonded-by-blood/|title=Exodus Re-re-records 'Bonded By Blood'|website=lambgoat.com|access-date=May 14, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Blum|first=Jordan|url=https://loudwire.com/charlie-benante-best-thrash-record/|title=Charlie Benante Names 'Best Thrash Record' and It's Surprising|website=loudwire.com|access-date=May 14, 2025}}</ref>  A few commentators argue for other bands, including [[Overkill (band)|Overkill]] and [[Metal Church]] (both of whom formed in 1980), as the earliest bands to play thrash metal before releasing albums.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-complete-history-of-overkill|title=The complete history of Overkill|website=loudersound.com|access-date=May 14, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite mag|url=https://screamermagazine.com/tag/metal-church/|title=Metal Church Archives|magazine=[[Screamer Magazine]]|access-date=May 14, 2025}}</ref>

In 1981, [[Los Angeles]] band [[Leather Charm]] wrote a song entitled "Hit the Lights". Leather Charm soon disbanded and the band's primary songwriter, vocalist/rhythm guitarist [[James Hetfield]], met drummer [[Lars Ulrich]] through a classified advertisement. Together, Hetfield and Ulrich formed Metallica, one of the "Big Four" thrash bands, with lead guitarist [[Dave Mustaine]], who would later form Megadeth, another of the "Big Four" originators of thrash, and bassist [[Ron McGovney]]. McGovney would be replaced by Cliff Burton (formerly of [[Trauma (American band)|Trauma]]), and Mustaine was later replaced by [[Kirk Hammett]] of the then-unsigned Exodus, and at Burton's insistence, the band relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area. Before Metallica had even settled on a definitive lineup, Metal Blade Records executive [[Brian Slagel]] asked Hetfield and Ulrich (credited as "Mettallica") to record "Hit the Lights" for the first edition of his ''[[Metal Massacre]]'' compilation in 1982. A re-recorded version of "Hit the Lights" would later open their first studio album, ''[[Kill 'Em All]]'', released in July 1983.<ref>{{cite web|last=Heller|first=Jason|title=An introduction to the snarling, belligerent rebelliousness of thrash|url=https://www.avclub.com/an-introduction-to-the-snarling-belligerent-rebellious-1798237220|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=28 March 2013|access-date=13 July 2013|archive-date=1 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801160542/http://www.avclub.com/articles/an-introduction-to-the-snarling-belligerent-rebell,95715/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Kill 'Em All'' is widely regarded as the first thrash metal album, and one of the album's tracks "[[Whiplash (Metallica song)|Whiplash]]" has been referred to as one of the first songs of the genre.<ref>{{cite web|first=Paul |last=Elliott |title=The 10 best Metallica songs from the 1980s |website=loudersound.com |date=September 20, 2022 |access-date=October 31, 2024 |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-10-best-metallica-songs-from-the-1980s}}</ref>

Another "Big Four" thrash band formed in Los Angeles in 1981, when guitarists [[Jeff Hanneman]] and [[Kerry King]] met while auditioning for the same band and subsequently decided to form a band of their own. Hanneman and King recruited vocalist/bassist [[Tom Araya]] and drummer [[Dave Lombardo]], and [[Slayer]] was formed. Slayer was discovered by Metal Blade Records executive Brian Slagel; the band's live performance of [[Iron Maiden]]'s "Phantom of the Opera" so impressed him that he promptly signed them to his label. In December 1983, five months after the release of Metallica's debut ''Kill 'Em All'', Slayer released their debut album, ''[[Show No Mercy (Slayer album)|Show No Mercy]]''.

To the north, Canada produced influential thrash and [[speed metal]] bands such as [[Annihilator (band)|Annihilator]], [[Anvil (band)|Anvil]], [[Exciter (band)|Exciter]], [[Razor (band)|Razor]], [[Sacrifice (band)|Sacrifice]], and [[Voivod (band)|Voivod]].

====Mainstream popularity (1984–1989)====
=====First wave (1984–1986)=====
The popularity of thrash metal increased in 1984 with the release of Metallica's sophomore record ''[[Ride the Lightning]]'', as well as Anthrax's debut ''[[Fistful of Metal]]'' and [[Metal Church]]'s [[Metal Church (album)|eponymous debut album]].<ref name="goldminemag"/> Slayer and [[Overkill (band)|Overkill]] released extended plays on independent labels during this era, ''[[Haunting the Chapel]]'' and ''[[Overkill (EP)|Overkill]]'' respectively. This led to a heavier-sounding form of thrash, which was reflected in Exodus' debut album ''[[Bonded by Blood]]'', Slayer's ''[[Hell Awaits]]'' and Anthrax's ''[[Spreading the Disease]]'', all three released in 1985. Several other debut albums were released that same year, including Megadeth's ''[[Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!]]'', Overkill's ''[[Feel the Fire (Overkill album)|Feel the Fire]]'', Kreator's ''[[Endless Pain]]'', Destruction's ''[[Infernal Overkill]]'', [[Possessed (band)|Possessed]]'s ''[[Seven Churches (album)|Seven Churches]]'', [[Celtic Frost]]'s ''[[To Mega Therion (album)|To Mega Therion]]'', [[Watchtower (band)|Watchtower]]'s ''[[Energetic Disassembly]]'' and the [[Sepultura]] EP ''[[Bestial Devastation]]''. ''Seven Churches'' and ''To Mega Therion'' are often credited for pioneering and popularizing the mid-1980s [[extreme metal]] scene (as well as the then-developing genres of [[death metal]] and [[black metal]], respectively),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/30-years-of-possessed-s-seven-churches|title=30 Years Of Possessed's Seven Churches|website=[[Metal Hammer|loudersound.com]]|date=16 October 2015|access-date=August 6, 2022|archive-date=6 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806164123/https://www.loudersound.com/features/30-years-of-possessed-s-seven-churches|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2015/04/06/celtic-frost-to-mega-therion/|title=Celtic Frost – 'To Mega Therion'|website=[[Decibel (magazine)|decibelmagazine.com]]|date=6 April 2015|access-date=August 6, 2022|archive-date=6 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806164234/https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2015/04/06/celtic-frost-to-mega-therion/|url-status=live}}</ref> while ''Energetic Disassembly'' has been cited as the first [[progressive metal|progressive/technical thrash metal]] album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://themetalfiles.com/2009/10/04/watchtower-energetic-disassembly-1985/|title=Watchtower – Energetic Disassembly (1985)|website=The Metal Files|date=5 October 2009|access-date=25 June 2021|archive-date=28 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228140226/https://themetalfiles.com/2009/10/04/watchtower-energetic-disassembly-1985/|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Slayer, The Fields of Rock, 2007.jpg|thumb|Slayer (pictured in 2007) released ''[[Reign in Blood]]'' in 1986, considered a landmark achievement in the genre's history.]]
From a creative standpoint, the year 1986 was perhaps the pinnacle of thrash metal,{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} as a number of critically acclaimed and genre-defining albums were released. Metallica's major label debut ''[[Master of Puppets]]'' was released in March, becoming the first thrash album to be certified platinum, being certified 6× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA); it would be the band's last album to feature bassist [[Cliff Burton]], who was killed in a bus accident six months after its release. Kreator released ''[[Pleasure to Kill]]'' in April 1986, which would later be a major influence on the death metal scene.<ref>{{cite web|first=Cosmo |last=Lee |title=Interview with Cannibal Corpse |url=http://invisibleoranges.com/interviews/cannibalcorpse.html |publisher=[[Invisible Oranges]] |year=2006 |access-date=29 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703180313/http://invisibleoranges.com/interviews/cannibalcorpse.html |archive-date=3 July 2007 }}</ref> Megadeth released ''[[Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?]]'' in September, an album which proved to be the band's commercial and critical breakthrough and which [[AllMusic]] later cited as "a classic of early thrash".<ref>{{cite web|last=Huey|first=Steve|title=Megadeth: Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/peace-sellsbut-whos-buying-bonus-tracks-mw0000650486|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=26 August 2014|archive-date=26 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926062844/http://www.allmusic.com/album/peace-sellsbut-whos-buying-bonus-tracks-mw0000650486|url-status=live}}</ref> Slayer, regarded as one of the most sinister thrash metal bands of the early 1980s,<ref name="Rockd">{{cite web|url=http://www.rockdetector.com/officialbio,8188.sm |title=Slayer band page|publisher=Rockdetector.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184733/http://www.rockdetector.com/officialbio,8188.sm |archive-date=30 September 2007|access-date=10 August 2010}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=March 2016}} released ''[[Reign in Blood]]'' in October, an album considered by some to have single-handedly inspired the death metal genre.<ref>{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Huey|title=Slayer: Reign in Blood|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/reign-in-blood-mw0000191741|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=10 August 2010|archive-date=14 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014044933/http://www.allmusic.com/album/reign-in-blood-mw0000191741|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in October, [[Nuclear Assault]] released their debut album ''[[Game Over (Nuclear Assault album)|Game Over]]'', followed a month later by [[Dark Angel (band)|Dark Angel]]'s ''[[Darkness Descends]]'', which marked the debut of  drummer [[Gene Hoglan]]. [[Flotsam and Jetsam (band)|Flotsam and Jetsam]]'s debut album ''[[Doomsday for the Deceiver]]'' (released on the [[Independence Day (United States)|Fourth of July]] in 1986) received some attention as well, due to the album being "the first of only a handful" to ever receive a 6K rating from ''[[Kerrang!]]'' magazine, and it is also notable for featuring a then-unknown [[Jason Newsted]], who, not long after the album's release, joined Metallica as Burton's replacement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flotstildeath.com/discography/doomsday-for-the-deceiver/|title=Doomsday For The Deceiver (Studio Album) - Flotsam and Jetsam|website=flotstildeath.com|access-date=31 March 2022|archive-date=17 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117160402/https://www.flotstildeath.com/discography/doomsday-for-the-deceiver/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Also during the mid-to-late 1980s, bands such as [[Suicidal Tendencies]], [[Dirty Rotten Imbeciles|D.R.I.]], [[Stormtroopers of Death|S.O.D.]] (who featured three-fifths of Anthrax), and [[Corrosion of Conformity]] paved the way to what became known as [[crossover thrash]], a fusion genre that lies on a continuum between heavy metal and hardcore punk, and is arguably faster and more aggressive than thrash metal.<ref name="DRI">{{cite web|url=http://www.fullinbloommusic.com/dri-biography-dirty-rotten-imbeciles-band.html|title=D.R.I. - Biography - Dirt Rotten Imbeciles - DRI - Crossover Thrash - Kurt Brecht - Spike Cassidy|website=Fullinbloommusic.com|access-date=6 June 2021|archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917064341/http://fullinbloommusic.com/dri-biography-dirty-rotten-imbeciles-band.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=====Second wave (1987–1989)=====
[[File:Testament - 2019213171126 2019-08-01 Wacken - 0304 - 5DSR3130.jpg|thumb|right|[[Testament (band)|Testament]] was one of the most successful [[Bay Area thrash metal]] bands of the late 1980s.]]
By the mid-to-late 1980s, thrash metal began to achieve major mainstream success worldwide, with many bands of the genre receiving heavy rotation on [[MTV]]'s ''[[Headbangers Ball]]'',<ref name="MTV HBB"/><ref name="MTV">{{Cite web|title=30 Years Ago: MTV's Headbangers Ball Premieres With Motorhead Mirth|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/headbangers-ball-premiere/|access-date=26 September 2021|website=[[Townsquare Media|ultimateclassicrock.com]]|date=2 May 2017|archive-date=26 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926153509/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/headbangers-ball-premiere/|url-status=live}}</ref> and radio stations such as [[KBUE#KNAC|KNAC]] in [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]] and [[Z Rock]] in [[Dallas]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Last KNAC Article|url=http://www.knactribute.com/knacart.html|access-date=26 September 2021|website=knactribute.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060517084511/http://www.knactribute.com/knacart.html|archive-date=17 May 2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Z-Rock Top 1001 Songs of All-Time (1990)|url=http://www.rocklists.com/alltime52.html|access-date=26 September 2021|website=rocklists.com|archive-date=2 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102220424/http://www.rocklists.com/alltime52.html|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as coverage on numerous publications, including ''[[Kerrang!]]'' and ''[[Larry Flynt Publications|RIP Magazine]]''. These outlets not only played a major role in the crossover success of thrash metal during this time, but helped push album sales of the genre's "Big Four" and similar bands or moved them from playing clubs to arenas and stadiums.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/get-thrashed-the-story-of-thrash-metal-director-interviewed-video-available|title='Get Thrashed: The Story Of Thrash Metal' Director Interviewed; Video Available|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=August 7, 2008|access-date=May 9, 2024}}</ref>

Anthrax made its mainstream breakthrough in 1987 with the release of their gold-certified album ''[[Among the Living]]'', which borrowed elements from their two previous releases, with fast guitar riffs and pounding drums. Shortly after the release of ''Among the Living'', three Bay Area bands, [[Testament (band)|Testament]], [[Death Angel]] and [[Heathen (band)|Heathen]], respectively released their debut albums ''[[The Legacy (album)|The Legacy]]'', ''[[The Ultra-Violence]]'' and ''[[Breaking the Silence (album)|Breaking the Silence]]''. All of the "Big Four" of [[Teutonic thrash metal]] also released albums in 1987: Kreator's ''[[Terrible Certainty]]'', Destruction's ''[[Release from Agony]]'', Sodom's ''[[Persecution Mania]]'' and Tankard's ''[[Chemical Invasion]]''; those albums cemented their reputations as top-tier German thrash metal bands.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worshipmetal.com/features/german-thrash-10-greatest-old-school-albums/|title=German Thrash: The 10 Greatest Old-School Albums|website=worshipmetal.com|date=February 13, 2015|access-date=May 9, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://rideintoglory.com/bestial-invasion-a-guide-to-teutonic-thrash-metal/|title=Bestial Invasion: A Guide to Teutonic Thrash Metal|website=rideintoglory.com|date=August 18, 2021|access-date=May 9, 2024}}</ref>

In response to thrash metal's growing popularity during this period, several hardcore punk bands began changing their style to a more heavier direction, including [[Suicidal Tendencies]], who are often considered to be one of the "fathers of crossover thrash",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/crossover_thrash_gaining_momentum_once_again-74779|title=Crossover Thrash: Gaining Momentum Once Again?|publisher=[[Ultimate Guitar]]|date=April 29, 2018|access-date=November 27, 2022|archive-date=27 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127223040/https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/crossover_thrash_gaining_momentum_once_again-74779|url-status=live}}</ref> and became more recognized as a thrash metal band in the late 1980s (thanks in large part to the presence of guitarists [[Rocky George]] and [[Mike Clark (guitarist)|Mike Clark]]); the band would reach new heights of success with their first two major-label albums, ''[[How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today]]'' (1988) and ''[[Controlled by Hatred/Feel Like Shit... Déjà Vu]]'' (1989).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=116729|title=Sunday Old School: Suicidal Tendencies|publisher=metalunderground.com|date=September 20, 2015|access-date=November 27, 2022|archive-date=27 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127223036/http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=116729|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Dirty Rotten Imbeciles|D.R.I.]]'s music took a similar direction with their last three albums of the 1980s, ''[[Crossover (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles album)|Crossover]]'' (1987), ''[[4 of a Kind]]'' (1988), and ''[[Thrash Zone]]'' (1989),<ref name="DRI"/> and other bands would follow suit, including [[The Exploited]], [[Excel (band)|Excel]] (from Suicidal Tendencies' hometown of [[Venice, Los Angeles|Venice]]) and [[New York hardcore]] acts [[M.O.D.]] (fronted by former S.O.D. singer [[Billy Milano]]), the [[Cro-Mags]] and the [[Crumbsuckers]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=
Crossover Thrash Music: A Brief History of Crossover Thrash|url=https://www.masterclass.com/articles/crossover-thrash-music-guide|access-date=19 December 2023|website=[[MasterClass|masterclass.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The 10 Best Crossover Thrash Bands|url=https://www.laweekly.com/the-10-best-crossover-thrash-bands/|access-date=19 December 2023|website=[[LA Weekly|laweekly.com]]|date=23 February 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Sunday Old School: M.O.D.|url=https://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=107622|access-date=19 December 2023|website=metalunderground.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Interviews Gary Meskil (Crumbsuckers, Pro-Pain)|url=https://www.noecho.net/interviews/gary-meskil-crumbsuckers-pro-pain|access-date=19 December 2023|website=noecho.net|date=27 February 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Cro-Mags ➖ 'Best Wishes'|url=https://www.thepensivequill.com/2018/12/cro-mags-best-wishes.html|access-date=19 December 2023|website=TPQ}}</ref>

From 1987 to 1989, Overkill released ''[[Taking Over (Overkill album)|Taking Over]]'', ''[[Under the Influence (Overkill album)|Under the Influence]],'' and ''[[The Years of Decay]]'', three albums considered their best. Each of the "Big Four" of thrash metal bands released albums in 1988: Slayer released ''[[South of Heaven]]'', Megadeth released ''[[So Far, So Good... So What!]]'', Anthrax released ''[[State of Euphoria]]'' while Metallica's ''[[...And Justice for All (album)|...And Justice for All]]'' spawned the band's first video and Top 40 hit, the [[World War I]]-themed song "[[One (Metallica song)|One]]". That same year, Metallica joined [[Van Halen]], [[Scorpions (band)|Scorpions]], [[Dokken]] and [[Kingdom Come (German band)|Kingdom Come]] on the two-month-long arena and stadium tour [[Monsters of Rock]] in North America.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Metal Memories – '80s Concerts: VAN HALEN, METALLICA, SCORPIONS, RAINBOW|url=https://bravewords.com/features/metal-memories-80s-concerts-van-halen-metallica-scorpions-rainbow|access-date=26 September 2021|website=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|Bravewords.com]]|date=22 June 2021 |archive-date=26 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926153455/https://bravewords.com/features/metal-memories-80s-concerts-van-halen-metallica-scorpions-rainbow|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Monsters Of Rock US 1988: The Making Of Metallica|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/monsters-of-rock-us-1988-the-making-of-metallica|access-date=26 September 2021|website=[[Metal Hammer|Loudersound.com]]|date=13 November 2019|archive-date=26 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926153453/https://www.loudersound.com/features/monsters-of-rock-us-1988-the-making-of-metallica|url-status=live}}</ref> In the spring of 1989, Anthrax teamed up with Exodus and [[Helloween]] on a [[Headbangers Ball Tour|US arena tour]] sponsored by ''Headbangers Ball''.<ref name="MTV"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=Maximum Metal Columns: Tales from the Jugular|url=http://www.maximummetal.com/columns/tales/col-tftj.asp?page=147|access-date=26 September 2021|website=maximummetal.com|archive-date=26 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926153509/http://www.maximummetal.com/columns/tales/col-tftj.asp?page=147|url-status=live}}</ref>

Sepultura's third album, ''[[Beneath the Remains]]'' (1989), earned them some mainstream appeal as it was released by [[Roadrunner Records]]. Testament's second and third albums, ''[[The New Order (album)|The New Order]]'' (1988) and ''[[Practice What You Preach]]'' (1989), nearly gained them the same level of popularity as the "Big Four",<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Lee|first=Cosmo|title=Get Thrashed: The Story of Thrash Metal|url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/movie_review/get-thrashed-the-story-of-thrash-metal.htm|magazine=[[Stylus Magazine]]|date=7 May 2007|access-date=28 January 2014|archive-date=25 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225230004/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/movie_review/get-thrashed-the-story-of-thrash-metal.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=D.X. |last=Ferris |title=Talkin' Thrash |url=http://www.clevescene.com/2007-08-08/music/talkin-thrash |work=[[Cleveland Scene]] |date=8 August 2007 |access-date=3 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110222020/http://www.clevescene.com/2007-08-08/music/talkin-thrash |archive-date=10 November 2007 }}</ref> while [[Exodus (band)|Exodus]]' third album ''[[Fabulous Disaster]]'' (1989) garnered the band their first music video and one of their most recognized songs, the [[Moshing|mosh-pit]] anthem "[[The Toxic Waltz (song)|The Toxic Waltz]]".<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Story Behind The Song: The Toxic Waltz by Exodus|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/exodus-the-story-behind-the-toxic-waltz|access-date=19 December 2023|website=[[Metal Hammer|Loudersound.com]]|date=23 April 2020}}</ref> [[Vio-lence]], [[Forbidden (band)|Forbidden]], and [[Sadus]], three relative latecomers to the Bay Area thrash metal scene, released their debut albums ''[[Eternal Nightmare (Vio-lence album)|Eternal Nightmare]]'', ''[[Forbidden Evil (album)|Forbidden Evil]],'' and ''[[Illusions (Sadus album)|Illusions]]'', respectively, in 1988; the latter album demonstrated a sound that was primarily driven by the fretless bass of [[Steve Di Giorgio]]. Also in 1988, [[Blind Illusion]] released its only studio album for more than two decades, ''[[The Sane Asylum]]'', which received some particular attention as it was produced by [[Kirk Hammett]], and is also notable for featuring bassist [[Les Claypool]] and former Possessed guitarist [[Larry LaLonde]]; after its release, the two would later team up together in Claypool's then-upcoming band [[Primus (band)|Primus]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Metal Crypt - Blind Illusion Interview|url=https://www.metalcrypt.com/pages/interviews.php?intid=791|access-date=19 December 2023|website=metalcrypt.com|date=28 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Progressive thrash vets Blind Illusion celebrate new album at Petaluma's Phoenix Theater|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/progressive-thrash-metal-vets-blind-illusion-celebrate-new-album-phoenix-theater-petaluma/|access-date=19 December 2023|website=[[CBS News|CBS San Francisco]]|date=8 April 2023}}</ref>

Canadian thrashers [[Annihilator (band)|Annihilator]] released their highly technical debut ''[[Alice in Hell]]'' in 1989, which was praised for its fast riffs and extended guitar solos. In Germany, Sodom released ''[[Agent Orange (album)|Agent Orange]]'', and Kreator would release ''[[Extreme Aggression]]''. Several highly acclaimed albums associated with the sub-genre of technical thrash metal were also released in 1989, including Coroner's ''[[No More Color]]'', Dark Angel's ''[[Leave Scars]]'', [[Toxik]]'s ''[[Think This]],'' and [[Watchtower (band)|Watchtower]]'s ''[[Control and Resistance]]'', which has been recognized and acknowledged as one of the cornerstones of [[jazz fusion|jazz-metal fusion]] and a major influence on the [[technical death metal]] genre,<ref>{{cite web|title=Agoraphobic News' Top 45 metal albums of 1989!|url=http://agoraphobic-news.com/articles_view.php?url=agoraphobic_news_top_45_metal_albums_of_1989|work=Agoraphobic News|date=26 June 2019|access-date=17 March 2021|archive-date=28 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228140226/http://agoraphobic-news.com/articles_view.php?url=agoraphobic_news_top_45_metal_albums_of_1989|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://metalindex.hu/2019/11/15/control-was-just-the-natural-progression-for-us/|title="Control was just the natural progression for us"|website=metalindex.hu|date=15 November 2019|access-date=17 March 2021|archive-date=14 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114145614/https://metalindex.hu/2019/11/15/control-was-just-the-natural-progression-for-us/|url-status=live}}</ref> while [[Forced Entry (band)|Forced Entry]]'s debut album ''[[Uncertain Future]]'' helped pioneer the late 1980s [[Music of Seattle|Seattle music]] scene.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Seattle Metal Scene|url=http://www.knaclive.com/article.asp?ArticleID=511|work=[[KNAC]].com|date=7 March 2002|access-date=16 March 2021|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420232506/http://www.knaclive.com/article.asp?ArticleID=511|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=20 Of The Greatest Technical Thrash Albums Of The 1980's!|url=http://www.worshipmetal.com/features/20-of-the-greatest-technical-thrash-albums-of-the-1980s/|work=Worship Metal|date=29 March 2020|access-date=16 March 2021|archive-date=18 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418075828/http://www.worshipmetal.com/features/20-of-the-greatest-technical-thrash-albums-of-the-1980s/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Thrash metal in the 1990s===
====Continued popularity (1990–1991)====
A number of more typical but technically sophisticated albums were released in 1990, including Megadeth's ''[[Rust in Peace]]'', Anthrax's ''[[Persistence of Time]]'', Slayer's ''[[Seasons in the Abyss]]'', Suicidal Tendencies' ''[[Lights...Camera...Revolution!]]'', Testament's ''[[Souls of Black]]'', Kreator's ''[[Coma of Souls]]'', Destruction's ''[[Cracked Brain]]'', Forbidden's ''[[Twisted into Form]]'', Exodus' ''[[Impact Is Imminent]]'', [[Sacred Reich]]'s ''[[The American Way (album)|The American Way]]'', [[Prong (band)|Prong]]'s ''[[Beg to Differ]]'', [[Pantera]]'s ''[[Cowboys from Hell]]'' and [[Exhorder]]'s ''[[Slaughter in the Vatican]]''; the latter three are often credited for being an integral part of the then-developing [[groove metal]] genre.<ref>{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Dick|title=Prong - "Beg to Differ" - Decibel Magazine|date=16 August 2017|publisher=[[Decibel (magazine)|Decibel]]|url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2017/08/16/prong-beg-differ/|access-date=10 December 2021|archive-date=11 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811041608/https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2017/08/16/prong-beg-differ/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Exhorder - Slaughter in the Vatican (album review )|date=26 March 2012|publisher=Sputnikmusic|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/48823/Exhorder-Slaughter-in-the-Vatican/|access-date=2 December 2022|archive-date=19 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919144745/https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/48823/Exhorder-Slaughter-in-the-Vatican/|url-status=live}}</ref> All of those albums were commercial high points for the aforementioned artists. During this period, Megadeth and Slayer co-headlined one of the most successful tours in thrash metal history called the [[Clash of the Titans (tour)|Clash of the Titans]]; the first leg in Europe included support from Testament and Suicidal Tendencies, while the second leg in North America had Anthrax and then-emerging Seattle band [[Alice in Chains]], who were the supporting act.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wiederhorn|first=Jon|date=13 April 2010|title=Clash of the Titans Tour: Iron Giants|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/clash-titans-tour-iron-giants|access-date=16 March 2021|website=[[Guitar World]]|language=en-US|archive-date=16 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216160040/https://www.guitarworld.com/features/clash-titans-tour-iron-giants|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Gilmore|first=Mikal|date=11 July 1991|title=Heavy Metal Thunder: Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/heavy-metal-thunder-slayer-megadeth-and-anthrax-185010/|access-date=16 March 2021|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

Several albums, some of which had come to be known as technical thrash metal, were released in 1991, including Overkill's ''[[Horrorscope (Overkill album)|Horrorscope]]'', [[Heathen (band)|Heathen]]'s ''[[Victims of Deception]]'', [[Dark Angel (band)|Dark Angel]]'s ''[[Time Does Not Heal]]'', Sepultura's ''[[Arise (Sepultura album)|Arise]]'', Coroner's ''[[Mental Vortex]]'', Prong's ''[[Prove You Wrong]]'' and Forced Entry's ''[[As Above, So Below (Forced Entry album)|As Above, So Below]]''.

In 1991, Metallica released their [[Metallica (album)|eponymous fifth studio album]], known as ''The Black Album''. Produced by [[Bob Rock]] (who was then known for working with the likes of [[Mötley Crüe]], [[Aerosmith]], [[Bon Jovi]] and [[The Cult]]), the album marked a stylistic change in the band, eliminating much of the speed and longer song structures of the band's previous work, and instead focusing on more concise and heavier songs. The album was a change in Metallica's direction from the thrash metal style of the band's previous four studio albums towards a more contemporary heavy metal sound with original [[hard rock]] elements, but still had remnant characteristics of thrash metal.<ref>[[Adam Dubin]], [[Metallica]] ([[James Hetfield]], [[Lars Ulrich]], [[Kirk Hammett]], [[Jason Newsted]]), [[Bob Rock]], [[Spinal Tap (band)|Spinal Tap]], ''[[A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica]]'': Part 1, VHS, [[Elektra Entertainment]], 1992</ref><ref name="Gibson Bob Rock Metallica 2011">{{cite web|last=Hodgson|first=Peter|url=http://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/News/en-us/metallica-0802-2011.aspx|title=Metallica Producer: 'Black Album' 'Wasn't Fun'|publisher=[[Gibson Guitar Company]]|date=2 August 2011|access-date=2 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201005154/http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/News/en-us/metallica-0802-2011.aspx|archive-date=1 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/producer-bob-rock-says-he-had-to-prove-himself-constantly-while-working-on-metallicas-black-album|title=Producer BOB ROCK Says He Had To Prove Himself 'Constantly' While Working On METALLICA's 'Black Album'|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=April 28, 2025|date=June 6, 2023}}</ref> ''Metallica'' would go on to become the band's best-selling album and began a wave of thrash metal bands releasing more garage-oriented albums, or else more experimental ones.

====Decline (1991–1999)====
The era of 1991–1992 marked the beginning of the end of thrash metal's commercial peak, due to the rising popularity of the [[alternative metal]] and [[grunge]] movements (the latter spearheaded by [[Washington (state)|Washington]]-based bands [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], [[Soundgarden]], [[Alice in Chains]] and [[Pearl Jam]]).<ref>{{cite book|last1=McIver|first1=Joel|title=The Bloody Reign of Slayer|date=2009|publisher=Omnibus Press}}</ref> In response to this climate change, many thrash metal bands that had emerged from the previous decade had called it quits or went on hiatus during the 1990s, while half of the "Big Four" and other veteran bands began changing to more accessible, radio-friendly styles.<ref>{{cite web|title=Speed/Thrash Metal|website=[[AllMusic]]|url=http://www.allmusic.com/style/speed-thrash-metal-ma0000002874|access-date=30 January 2014|archive-date=2 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602220548/http://www.allmusic.com/style/speed-thrash-metal-ma0000002874|url-status=live}}</ref> Metallica was a notable example of this shift, particularly with their mid-to-late 1990s albums ''[[Load (album)|Load]]'', and ''[[Reload (Metallica album)|ReLoad]]'', which displayed minor [[blues]] and [[southern rock]] influences, and were seen as a major departure from the band's earlier sound.{{sfn|Sharpe-Young|2007a|p=256}} Megadeth took a more accessible heavy metal route starting with their 1992 album ''[[Countdown to Extinction]]''.{{sfn|Sharpe-Young|2007a|p=241}} Testament, Exodus and Flotsam and Jetsam all took a melodic/progressive approach with the albums ''[[The Ritual (Testament album)|The Ritual]]'',<ref>{{cite web|first=Anthony|last=Syme|title=Interview with Chuck Billy|publisher=MetalUpdate.com|url=http://metalupdate.com/interviewbilly.html|access-date=1 September 2014|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305015249/http://www.metalupdate.com/interviewbilly.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Force of Habit]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=6545|title=Review: Exodus: Force of Habit (remaster)|website=seaoftranquility.org|access-date=31 March 2022|archive-date=1 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401022612/https://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=6545|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[Cuatro (Flotsam and Jetsam album)|Cuatro]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flotstildeath.com/discography/cuatro-studio-album/|title=Cuatro (Studio Album) - Flotsam and Jetsam|website=flotstildeath.com|access-date=31 March 2022|archive-date=17 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117160402/https://www.flotstildeath.com/discography/doomsday-for-the-deceiver/|url-status=live}}</ref> respectively. One of the pioneers of crossover thrash, [[Corrosion of Conformity]], began changing their sound into a slower and [[Black Sabbath]]-influenced heavy metal direction with their post-1980s output, adapting influences and textures of [[sludge metal|sludge]], [[doom metal]], blues, and southern rock on several of their albums, including ''[[Blind (Corrosion of Conformity album)|Blind]]'' (1991), ''[[Deliverance (Corrosion of Conformity album)|Deliverance]]'' (1994) and ''[[Wiseblood (Corrosion of Conformity album)|Wiseblood]]'' (1996).<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/reed-mullin-corrosion-of-conformity-obituary-944459/|title=Reed Mullin, Corrosion of Conformity Drummer, Dead at 53|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=28 January 2020|access-date=6 June 2021}}</ref>

In the wake of the success of [[groove metal]], instigated by Pantera (who went on to become one of the most successful heavy metal bands of the 1990s), several thrash metal established bands started to expand their sound by adding elements and influences from the groove metal genre.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.vh1.com/news/h0tfpf/90s-post-thrash-groove-metal-scene | title=Rediscovering The '90s Post-Thrash Groove Metal Scene | publisher=[[VH1|VH1.com]] | date=12 August 2015 | access-date=27 April 2021 | archive-date=31 July 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731031546/http://www.vh1.com/news/45371/90s-post-thrash-groove-metal-scene/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/every-prong-album-ranked-from-worst-to-best-by-tommy-victor/ | title=Every Prong Album Ranked From Worst To Best By Tommy Victor | publisher=[[Kerrang!]] | date=9 August 2020 | access-date=27 April 2021 | archive-date=8 October 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008232645/https://www.kerrang.com/features/every-prong-album-ranked-from-worst-to-best-by-tommy-victor/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/top_7_iconic_groove_metal_albums_that_helped_metal_survive-109511 | title=Top 7 Iconic Groove Metal Albums That Helped Metal Survive | publisher=[[Ultimate Guitar|Ultimate-Guitar.com]] | date=9 August 2020 | access-date=27 April 2021 | archive-date=27 April 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427193922/https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/top_7_iconic_groove_metal_albums_that_helped_metal_survive-109511 | url-status=live }}</ref> Anthrax, who had recently replaced [[Joey Belladonna]] with [[John Bush (musician)|John Bush]] as their singer, began stepping away from their previously established thrash metal formula to a more accessible alternative/groove metal approach for the remainder of their 1990s output, starting with and including ''[[Sound of White Noise]]'' (1993).<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2011-09-14/music/anthrax-and-joey-belladonna-keep-it-in-the-family | title=Anthrax and Joey Belladonna Keep It In the Family | newspaper=[[The Village Voice]] | date=14 September 2011 | access-date=27 April 2021 | author=Weingarten, Christopher R.| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201124735/http://www.villagevoice.com/2011-09-14/music/anthrax-and-joey-belladonna-keep-it-in-the-family | archive-date=1 December 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/anthrax-sound-of-white-noise/ | title=How Anthrax's 'Sound of White Noise' Kicked Off the John Bush Era | publisher=Ultimate Classic Rock | date=25 May 2018 | access-date=27 April 2021 | author=Kielty, Martin | archive-date=27 April 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427193921/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/anthrax-sound-of-white-noise/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YIwHlb1zNyoC&q=%22Sound+Of+White+Noise%22+%22+metal%22&pg=PA79 | title=Anthrax - Sound of White Noise review | last=Wiederhorn |first=Jon |magazine=SPIN | date=July 1993 | volume=9 | issue=4 | page=79 |access-date=27 April 2021 | archive-date=19 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919144822/https://books.google.com/books?id=YIwHlb1zNyoC&q=%22Sound+Of+White+Noise%22+%22+metal%22&pg=PA79 | url-status=live }}</ref> Sacred Reich, Overkill, Coroner, Prong, Testament, and Forbidden followed this trend with their respective albums ''[[Independent (Sacred Reich album)|Independent]]'',<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/cdreviews/independent-reissue/ | title=CD Reviews - Independent (Reissue) Sacred Reich | publisher=Blabbermouth.net | access-date=27 April 2021 | author=Bergman, Keith | archive-date=27 April 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427193921/https://www.blabbermouth.net/cdreviews/independent-reissue/ | url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[I Hear Black]]'',<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.worshipmetal.com/features/i-hear-black-is-it-overkills-most-underrated-album/ | title=I Hear Black: Is It Overkill's Most Underrated Album? | publisher=Worship Music | date=9 March 2016 | access-date=27 April 2021 | author=Jennings, Chris | archive-date=5 June 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605005837/http://www.worshipmetal.com/features/i-hear-black-is-it-overkills-most-underrated-album/ | url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Grin (Coroner album)|Grin]]'',<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/53987/Coroner-Grin/ | title=Coroner - Grin (album review 2) | publisher=Sputnikmusic | date=18 December 2012 | access-date=27 April 2021 | author=Wolfers, Jeremy | archive-date=19 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919144747/https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/53987/Coroner-Grin/ | url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Cleansing (album)|Cleansing]]'',<ref>{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Roche|title=The Top 20 New York Hardcore and Metal Albums of All Time|date=8 July 2013|publisher=[[The Village Voice]]|url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2013/07/08/the-top-20-new-york-hardcore-and-metal-albums-of-all-time/|access-date=10 December 2021|archive-date=10 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210174140/https://www.villagevoice.com/2013/07/08/the-top-20-new-york-hardcore-and-metal-albums-of-all-time/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Low (Testament album)|Low]]'',<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/8659/Testament-Low/ | title=Testament - Low (album review) | publisher=Sputnikmusic | date=14 September 2017 | access-date=27 April 2021 | author=Geadom | archive-date=19 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919144747/https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/53987/Coroner-Grin/ | url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[Distortion (Forbidden album)|Distortion]]''.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://metalnerdblog.com/2011/10/07/forbidden-distortion-review/ | title=Forbidden – Distortion Review | publisher=Metal-Nerd Blog | date=7 October 2011 | access-date=27 April 2021 | archive-date=27 October 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027130232/https://metalnerdblog.com/2011/10/07/forbidden-distortion-review/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Sepultura's 1993 album ''[[Chaos A.D.]]'' also marked the beginning of their transition away from death/thrash metal to groove metal which had influenced then-up-and-coming bands like [[Korn]], who reciprocally became the inspiration behind the [[nu metal]] style of the band's next album ''[[Roots (Sepultura album)|Roots]]'' (1996).<ref>[https://loudwire.com/iggor-cavalera-korn-did-influence-sepultura-on-roots-album-but-so-did-others/ "Iggor Cavalera: Korn did influence Sepultura on Roots album but so did others"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418221041/https://loudwire.com/iggor-cavalera-korn-did-influence-sepultura-on-roots-album-but-so-did-others/ |date=18 April 2021 }}. ''Loudwire'', 2016</ref> ''Roots'' would influence a generation of bands from [[Linkin Park]] to [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]], which during the 1990s meant the replacement of death, thrash, and speed, by nu metal and metalcore as popular epicenters of the hardest metal scene.<ref>[https://www.wearethepit.com/2020/09/why-sepulturas-chaos-a-d-is-more-relevant-now-than-ever/ "Why Sepultura's 'Chaos A.D.' Is More Relevant Now Than Ever"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418221042/https://www.wearethepit.com/2020/09/why-sepulturas-chaos-a-d-is-more-relevant-now-than-ever/ |date=18 April 2021 }}, ''We Are The Pit'', 2 September 2020</ref>

Staying away from this new commercial mainstream of groove metal, metalcore, and especially nu metal, the [[Black metal#Second wave|second wave of black metal]] emerged as an opposed underground music scene, initially in [[Norway]]. This crop of new bands differenced themselves from the "first wave" by totally distilling black metal from the combined origins with thrash metal, but they preserved from all these sub-genres the emphasis on atmosphere over rhythm.<ref>[https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/10-of-the-most-important-cultural-shifts-in-metal/ "10 of the Most Important Cultural Shifts in Metal"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418221040/https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/10-of-the-most-important-cultural-shifts-in-metal/ |date=18 April 2021 }}, ''Kerrang'', 2 February 2020</ref>

As further [[extreme metal]] genres came to prominence in the 1990s ([[industrial metal]], death metal, and [[black metal]] each finding their own fanbase), the heavy metal "family tree" soon found itself blending aesthetics and styles.<ref>Dunn, Sam (2005). [http://imdb.com/title/tt0478209/ ''Metal: A Headbanger's Journey''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229154022/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0478209/ |date=29 December 2017 }}. IMDB.</ref> For example, bands with all the musical traits of thrash metal began using [[death growls]], a vocal style borrowed from death metal, while black metal bands often utilized the airy feel of [[synthesizers]], popularized in industrial metal. Today the placing of bands within distinct sub-genres remains a source of contention for heavy metal fans, however, little debate resides over the fact that thrash metal is the sole proprietor of its respective spin-offs.

===Revivals (2000–present)===
A few thrash metal bands from the 1980s and early 1990s, particularly the genre's U.S. "Big Four", continued recording and touring with success in the 2000s. In 2003, Anthrax released their first studio album in five years ''[[We've Come for You All]]'', followed a month later by Metallica's double platinum-certified album ''[[St. Anger]]''. After experimenting further with a commercialized sound on their previous few albums, Megadeth returned to its heavier sound with their ninth album ''[[The World Needs a Hero]]'' (2001). It would be the band's final album before disbanding in the following year, due to an arm injury that had left [[Dave Mustaine]] unable to play guitar;<ref>{{cite web|title=Injury Forces Mustaine To Disband Megadeth|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/injury-forces-mustaine-to-disband-megadeth-76247/|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> he would eventually reform Megadeth for a handful albums, including ''[[The System Has Failed]]'' (2004) which was originally going to be released as a solo album by him,<ref>{{cite web|title=DAVE MUSTAINE: 'Anyone Who Says That MEGADETH Isn't Me Is A Fool'|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/dave-mustaine-anyone-who-says-that-megadeth-isn-t-me-is-a-fool|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=31 March 2007 |access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> before reuniting with co-founding member and bassist [[David Ellefson]] in 2010. Slayer released three albums in the 2000s: ''[[God Hates Us All]]'' (2001), which saw a return to their signature thrash metal sound,<ref>{{cite web|title=22 Years Ago: Slayer Release 'God Hates Us All'|url=https://loudwire.com/slayer-god-hates-us-all-album-anniversary/|website=[[Loudwire|Loudwire.com]]|date=11 September 2023 |access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> followed by ''[[Christ Illusion]]'' (2006) and ''[[World Painted Blood]]'' (2009), both of which marked their first studio albums with drummer [[Dave Lombardo]] in nearly two decades. Although their career had declined from its peak in the 1990s, Overkill was perhaps one of the most-active thrash metal groups outside of the "Big Four", having never disbanded or taken longer breaks in-between records, and by 2000's ''[[Bloodletting (Overkill album)|Bloodletting]]'', they were the first band in the genre to release more than ten studio albums. Overkill's popularity was reignited in the 2010s, with three of their albums, ''[[The Electric Age]]'' (2012), ''[[White Devil Armory]]'' (2014) and ''[[The Grinding Wheel]]'' (2017), all entering the Top 100 on the ''[[Billboard 200|Billboard]]'' charts.<ref>{{cite web|title=
Overkill - Biography - Bobby Blitz Ellsworth - DD Verni - Taking Over - The Years of Decay|url=http://fullinbloommusic.com/overkill-biography-dd-verni-blitz-ellsworth.html|website=fullinbloommusic.com|access-date=February 14, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Overkill|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/overkill/chart-history/tlp/|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard.com]]|access-date=February 14, 2024|archive-date=25 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125181928/https://www.billboard.com/artist/overkill/chart-history/tlp/|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>

The resurgence of interest in the thrash metal genre during the early 2000s was widely attributed to the [[Thrash of the Titans]] festival, which was held in August 2001 as a co-benefit concert for Testament singer [[Chuck Billy]] and [[Death (metal band)|Death]]'s [[Chuck Schuldiner]], who were both battling cancer.<ref name=share-the-stage>{{Cite web|title=Bay Area thrash-metal titans share the stage at the San Jose Civic|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/bay-area-thrash-metal-heroes-bay-strikes-back-tour-testament-exodus-death-angel/|website=[[CBS News]]|date=10 October 2022 |access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> The show is also notable for seeing several of Testament's [[Bay Area thrash metal]] contemporaries, including Exodus, Death Angel, [[Vio-lence]], [[Forbidden (band)|Forbidden Evil]], [[Sadus]] and Legacy (a precursor to Testament), reunited.<ref>{{Cite web|title=August 11 2001 Thrash Of The Titans|url=https://www.emptywords.org/RHThrashOfTheTitans10-2001.htm|website=emptywords.org|access-date=February 11, 2024|archive-date=21 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921223440/http://www.emptywords.org/RHThrashOfTheTitans10-2001.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Thrash Of The Titans|url=https://www.emptywords.org/MM02-2002.htm|website=emptywords.org|access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> Many thrash metal bands from outside of the Bay Area would subsequently reunite, including Anthrax (twice with [[Joey Belladonna]] and briefly with [[John Bush (singer)|John Bush]]),<ref>{{cite web|title=JOHN BUSH Reveals Most Hurtful Thing About His Split With ANTHRAX|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/john-bush-reveals-most-hurtful-thing-about-his-split-with-anthrax|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=10 June 2015 |access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> [[Dark Angel (band)|Dark Angel]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Partial DARK ANGEL Reunion Occurs!|url=https://bravewords.com/news/partial-dark-angel-reunion-occurs|website=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|bravewords.com]]|date=21 October 2002 |access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> [[Nuclear Assault]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dan Lilker Explains on Disbanding Nuclear Assault: 'We're Getting a Little Old'|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/dan_lilker_explains_on_disbanding_nuclear_assault_were_getting_a_little_old.html|website=[[Ultimate Guitar]]|access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> [[Sacred Reich]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sunday Old School: Sacred Reich|url=https://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=58491|website=metalunderground.com|access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> UK bands [[Onslaught (band)|Onslaught]],<ref>{{cite web|title=ONSLAUGHT To Play One-Off U.K. Date With TESTAMENT, XENTRIX|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/onslaught-to-play-one-off-u-k-date-with-testament-xentrix|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=11 May 2006 |access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> [[Sabbat (English band)|Sabbat]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sunday Old School: Sabbat|url=https://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=62316|website=metalunderground.com|access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> and [[Xentrix]],<ref>{{cite web|title=U.K. Thrashers XENTRIX To Reunite For Two Exclusive Gigs|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/u-k-thrashers-xentrix-to-reunite-for-two-exclusive-gigs|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=12 February 2006 |access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> and Canada's [[Sacrifice (band)|Sacrifice]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Canadian Thrash Metal Legends SACRIFICE To Reunite For DAY OF THE EQUINOX II|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/canadian-thrash-metal-legends-sacrifice-to-reunite-for-day-of-the-equinox-ii|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=13 March 2006 |access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref> renewing interest in previous decades.

The term "thrash-revivalists" has been applied to such bands as [[Lamb of God (band)|Lamb of God]],<ref name="lamb of god"/> [[Municipal Waste (band)|Municipal Waste]],<ref name="tidal"/> [[Evile]],<ref name="hatchet"/> [[Havok (band)|Havok]],<ref name="hatchet"/><ref name="havok"/><ref name="metalassault"/> [[Warbringer]],<ref name="hatchet"/><ref name="metalassault"/> [[Vektor (band)|Vektor]],<ref name="metalassault"/> [[Bonded by Blood (band)|Bonded by Blood]],<ref name="metalassault"/> [[Hatchet (band)|Hatchet]],<ref name="hatchet"/> and [[Power Trip (band)|Power Trip]].<ref name="tidal"/> Evile's 2007 debut album ''[[Enter the Grave]]'', produced by former Metallica producer and engineer [[Flemming Rasmussen]], received considerable praise for its sound, which combined elements of the sounds of Slayer and the Bay Area scene (particularly Exodus and Testament).<ref>Kee, Chris. ''Enter the Grave'' review. ''Zero Tolerance''. October 2007.</ref> Los Angeles-based bands Warbringer and Bonded by Blood took a similar approach on their respective debut albums, ''[[War Without End (album)|War Without End]]'' and ''[[Feed the Beast (Bonded by Blood album)|Feed the Beast]]'', both released in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11199-war-without-end/|title=Warbringer: War Without End Album Review|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|pitchfork.com]]|date=March 5, 2008|access-date=February 18, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://lambgoat.com/albums/2633/bonded-by-blood-feed-the-beast/|title=BONDED BY BLOOD 'Feed The Beast' Album Review|website=lambgoat.com|date=June 27, 2008|access-date=February 18, 2024}}</ref> Perhaps the most commercially successful band from the 2000s and 2010s thrash metal revival movement is Lamb of God, who are also considered a key part of the [[new wave of American heavy metal]] movement,{{sfn|Sharpe-Young|2007b|p=462}}<ref>''[[Metal: A Headbanger's Journey]]'' (2005, Director: Sam Dunn), Disc Two: "Metal Genealogy Chart"</ref> have received two [[Music recording certification|gold-certified]] albums in the U.S.,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Lamb+of+God&ti=&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|title=Gold & Platinum - RIAA|website=[[Recording Industry Association of America|riaa.com]]|access-date=February 18, 2024}}</ref> and have gone from playing small clubs to arenas and stadiums.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/lamb-of-god-from-the-basement-to-arenas|title=Lamb Of God: From the basement to arenas|website=[[Metal Hammer|loudersound.com]]|date=November 15, 2015|access-date=February 18, 2024}}</ref>

Notable bands returned to their roots with releases such as Kreator's ''[[Violent Revolution]]'' (2001), Metallica's ''[[Death Magnetic]]'' (2008), Megadeth's ''[[Endgame (Megadeth album)|Endgame]]'' (2009), Slayer's ''World Painted Blood'' (2009), Exodus' ''[[Exhibit B: The Human Condition]]'' (2010), Overkill's ''[[Ironbound (album)|Ironbound]]'' (2010), Anthrax's ''[[Worship Music (album)|Worship Music]]'' (2011), Testament's ''[[Dark Roots of Earth]]'' (2012), and Flotsam and Jetsam's ''[[Ugly Noise]]'' (2012). More recent bands of the genre, such as Havok and [[Legion of the Damned (band)|Legion of the Damned]] have turned their focus towards a more aggressive rendition of thrash metal, incorporating elements of [[melodic death metal]].