20 best thrash albums by 'rateyourmusic.com'

1                    

Exodus

Bonded by Blood (1985)

Flawless album! Absolutely thrash metal masterpiece. It also features Paul Balof's (RIP) insane vocals. Exodus attack!!!!

2                    

Slayer

Reign in Blood (1986)

A milestone album in thrash metal genre. Features "Angel of Death", one of the best metal songs ever written. It's achilles heel is being less than 30 minutes long.

3                    

Metallica

Master of Puppets (1986)

Metallica's best work ever. This album is superb both with its musicianship and lyrics. It was hard to put it at number 3.

4                    

Megadeth

Rust in Peace (1990)

Most mature and technical Thrash metal album ever. Classic! Also features the best Megadeth line-up.

5                    

Anthrax

Among the Living (1987)

My favorite Anthrax album. The first 6 songs of the album are great (including I am the law, Caught in a mosh and Indians). I can't say the same thing for the last 3 songs though. Still it's a top 5 album.

6                    

Overkill

The Years of Decay (1989)

Another classic. Definitely best Overkill album.

7                    

Testament

The Legacy (1987)

Testament's excellent debut album. Includes hits like Over the Wall, Burnt offerings, apocalyptic city.

8                    

Sacred Reich

The American Way (1990)

A very underrated thrash album. Their style may be a little bit soft compared to the other bands in the list, but me and my friends couldn't get enough listening to this album.

9                    

Death Angel

Act III (1990)

The respect I have for this album grew as the years passed by. Songwriting skills of Death Angel are impressive in this album. A must have for all thrash metal fans.

10                  

S.O.D.

Speak English or Die (1985)

Not exactly a thrash metal but Speak English or Die is a legendary album combining hardcore/punk and thrash metal.

11                  

Vio-Lence

Eternal Nightmare (1988)

It took a while for me to digest Eternal Nightmare at the time it was released. Needless to say a great debut album with speed, insane lyrics and derranged vocals of Sean Killian.

12                  

Voivod

Dimension Hatröss (1988)

This is the first quality Voivod release and can be categorized under Thrash Metal genre. I like Nothing Face and Outer Limits better than Dimension Hatross, but they are not thrash metal albums.

13                  

Kreator

Extreme Aggression (1989)

This selection was actually a toss up between Terrible Certainty and Extreme Aggression. I went for the more mature record.

14                  

Sodom

Agent Orange (1989)

German thrash metal band Sodom's best album. I'm not a fan of the band, but I'm definitely a fan of this album.

15                  

Destruction

Eternal Devastation (1986)

Another German thrash titan. Eternal Devastation is Destruction's best work in my opinion.

16                  

Flotsam and Jetsam

Doomsday for the Deceiver (1986)

Flotsam's debut album with Jason Newstead and he dominates this album with his galloping bass sound. Unfortunately, Lars and james did not allow him to show his talents during his Metallica years.

17                  

Suicidal Tendencies

Lights Camera Revolution (1990)

S.T. 's most thrash metal sounding album and a pretty good one to put it on this list.

18                  

Nuclear Assault

Survive (1988)

Another tough choice for me. I also love Game Over and Handle With Care. This selection may be subject to change in the future.

19                  

Sepultura

Beneath the Remains (1989)

To be honest with you I like "Arise" a little bit more. But "Beneath the Remains" sounds more thrash.

20                  

Annihilator

Alice in Hell (1989)

Annihilator's (or should I say Jeff Water's?)stunning debut album. Unfortunately, most of his following releases were not as good as Alice In Hell.