Thrash metal: a bunch of pimply, drunken kids wearing white high-top sneakers and t-shirts with their own band’s name on them, racketeering at 100 mph while high on speed and cheap booze, is not it ? Absolutely. And that’s why it was so brilliant.
But even the most rabid thrasher had a soft side, or if it wasn’t a soft side, then some of them wanted to be played on MTV. That’s why just about every Metallica band has released at least one epic power ballad at some point in their careers, shifting from the usual thrash to singing about women, heartbreak and death. OK, especially death.
We’ve rounded up 10 of these slower classic jams to remind you that thrash’s best could cut it down whenever they wanted. Of course, none of these tracks will ever be confused with Every rose has its thornbut they still have the power to get those Zippos off the ground.
The grandfather of thrash ballads. This star ride the lightning the slow burner was either a brooding meditation on death or the sound of James Hetfield truly upset after someone nicked the band’s gear outside of a gig. Either way, it was a thunderclap when it landed in 1984 – suddenly every thrash band was given permission to show their sensitive side, even as the metal’s primitive gatekeepers shouted “Sell out!” It’s good to see that some things haven’t changed.
Seattle wasn’t always Grunge Central – Metal Church was taking over Rainy City’s thrash scene long before Nirvana ruined the barrel party. The six-minute centerpiece of their second album, 1987 darkness, going from sparse and hazy atmospheres to sharp riffs, propelled by the cutting voice of singer David Wayne (RIP). MTV even gave them a few pieces, though ultimately that didn’t get the band off the C-list of thrash.
Flotsam & Jetsam – Escape From Within (1988)
Better known as The Band Who Lost Jason Newsted To Metallica, Flotsam & Jetsam were the archetypal thrash foot soldier. But that majestic climax to the Phoenix outfit’s second album No room for disgrace showed they were knowledgeable enough to notice the bandwagon of the thrash ballad as it passed and quickly boarded, while Escape from withindark, euthanasia-themed lyrics beat the same bent A at the hallmark of six months.
Megadeth – In My Darkest Hour (1988)
OK, this is strictly not a ballad – it starts heavy and gets heavier. But in terms of pace, atmosphere and feeling, this towering 1988 standout So far, so good… So what! exactly matches the bill. Part Dave Mustaine’s tribute to deceased former Metallica bandmate Cliff Burton and part seething barrage of self-pity aimed at Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield for not telling him the bassist had died , it’s as emotionally raw as thrash has ever been.
Testament – The Ballad (1989)
1989 big budget Practice what you preach was Testament’s chance to gain promotion in the fledgling Big Four. It didn’t pay off, but it served up that slice of tearful majesty. Of course, this title couldn’t have been more on the nose, and yes, it followed the Fade to black models a little too tightly, but its epic kick from stark brooding to flamboyant climax is absolutely unmistakable. They would tap the same vein with later ballads such as The legacy and Back to serenitybut it was their first and best.
Overkill – The Years of Decay (1989)
Who thought of the band that released an EP titled Kiss my ass !!! would ever have shown their sensitive sides? But New York haters Overkill have done just that with the epic eight-minute track from their fourth album. Howler leader Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth reigned over his scaly voice for a second, while soon-to-be-departed six-string Bobby Gustafson showed he was one of the era’s underrated guitar greats. . The smashing finale is as epic as anything thrash has ever served.
Assault – Welcome to Die (1989)
British thrashers Onslaught had swept through two vocalists in as many albums before hitting mighty vocalist Steve Grimmett, a man who could hit notes his contemporaries would have struggled to hit with a pod. The cornerstone of their third album, In search of mental healthfeatured Grimmett’s stunning vocals, but it was also a lesson in sustained dynamics, played over 12 hit minutes.
Artillery – Don’t Believe (1990)
European metal bands had a vicious side that their American counterparts most often lacked, and the semi-forgotten Danish snarlers Artillery were no exception. But with Do not believe, the terrors of Taastrup morphed into a classic Euro-thrash ballad, moving from Scandinavian solemnity to leather speed and back again. The definition of “cult classic”.
Angel of Death – Room with a View (1990)
Bay Area thrash puppies Death Angel were all around 12 when they started in the mid-’80s, but they grew up fast. 1990s Act III the album was the work of a band that strove to live within the self-imposed restrictions of the scene – never more so than on most acoustic Room with a view, which saw guitarist Rob Cavestany and vocalist Mark Osegueda share vocals. thrash metal more than wordsinstead.
Evile – In Memory (2011)
Proof that it wasn’t just 80s kids who had all that thrash ballad stuff nailed. British thrash revivalists Evile were caught off guard by the unexpected death of bassist Mike Alexander in 2009 at the age of just 32. They paid tribute two years later via the Heartfelt In memory, which saw the horrors of Huddersfield reign in the whiplash and rumble of heavy metal. For a group that mainly dealt with yuks, it was really moving.