Thrash metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and often fast tempo. The songs usually use fast percussive beats and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead guitar work. The lyrical subject matter often includes criticism of The Establishment and concern over environmental destruction, and at times shares a disdain for Christian dogma with that of black metal. The language is typically direct and denunciatory, an approach borrowed from hardcore punk.
Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte. Formed in 1984 by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera, the band was a major force in the groove metal, thrash metal and death metal genres during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments drawing influence from alternative metal, world music, nu metal, hardcore punk, and industrial metal. Sepultura has also been credited as one of the second wave of thrash metal acts from the late 1980s to early-to-mid-1990s.
The Obsessed is an American heavy metal band from Potomac, Maryland, led by Scott "Wino" Weinrich. The band combines elements of doom metal, stoner rock, and punk rock. Formed in 1980, they recorded a few demos and played a handful of live shows until they first split up in 1986 when Weinrich joined as lead vocalist for Saint Vitus, but reformed four years later. After releasing three albums, the Obsessed broke up for a second time in 1995. After briefly reuniting for some shows in 2012 and 2013, the Obsessed announced their third reunion in March 2016.
Flotsam and Jetsam is an American thrash metal band that was formed in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1981. Before settling on its current name in 1984, the band had existed under three different names, Paradox, Dredlox and Dogz. Their current lineup includes vocalist Eric "A.K" Knutson, guitarists Michael Gilbert and Steve Conley, bassist Bill Bodily, and drummer Ken Mary. Flotsam and Jetsam went through several lineup changes over the years, leaving Knutson as the only constant member. They are also notable for featuring founding member and bassist Jason Newsted, who left the band shortly after the release of their debut album to join Metallica as Cliff Burton's successor.
Sacred Reich is an American thrash metal band based in Phoenix, Arizona, that was formed in 1985. The band split in 2000, but reunited in 2006. Sacred Reich has been credited, along with Testament, Destruction, Death Angel and Dark Angel, for leading the second wave of thrash metal in the late 1980s.
David Wayne McClain is an American drummer. He is best known as the former drummer for the American heavy metal band, Machine Head. He joined the band in 1995 and left the band in 2018 after 23 years in the band. He replaced Chris Kontos when the latter left shortly after their first album, Burn My Eyes. He was formerly a member of S.A. Slayer, Riot offshoot Narita, Turbin, Catalepsy, Murdercar, Ministers of Anger . Currently he has rejoined Sacred Reich in 2018, which he originally played for from 1991–1995.
Independent is the third studio album by American thrash metal band Sacred Reich, released in 1993 via Metal Blade and Hollywood Records. The album is considered to be a slight departure from the band's early thrash metal style heard on their previous releases, with the album featuring a groove metal sound. Independent was Sacred Reich's first full-length album with Dave McClain on drums.
Ignorance is the debut studio album by American thrash metal band Sacred Reich. It was released on October 13, 1987 by Metal Blade Records, and was followed up by the 1988 EP, Surf Nicaragua.
The American Way is the second studio album by American thrash metal band Sacred Reich, released on May 15, 1990 via Metal Blade Records. The video for "The American Way" was used in the 1992 film Encino Man. The album debuted at No. 153 on September 1, 1990 on the Billboard 200 charts, lasting for nine weeks. An enhanced remastered version released in 2009 contains pre-production demo recordings and a free patch. A second remastered version released that year contains the same songs plus "The American Way" promo video CD-ROM. The American Way is also Sacred Reich's final full-length studio album with drummer Greg Hall, who left the band in 1991.
Violent by Nature is the second album from Arizona thrash metal band Atrophy, released in 1990 on Roadrunner Records. Like their previous album Socialized Hate, it was co-produced by prolific producer/engineer Bill Metoyer, and recorded in Los Angeles. The band followed up the album with tours of the US and Europe with the likes of Sacred Reich, Coroner and Forced Entry. However shortly after, Chris Lykins left the band to pursue a medical school course and the band split up after Roadrunner Records lost confidence in the band due to the departure of one of its leading songwriters; as such, Violent by Nature would be Atrophy's final album before their 22-year breakup from 1993 to 2015. The model for the artwork was Richie Bujinowski, who would later become Max Cavalera's adopted stepson and the frontman of Incite.
Surf Nicaragua is an EP from Arizona thrash metal band, Sacred Reich. It was released on October 4, 1988 on Metal Blade Records and follows the band's debut album, Ignorance, released the previous year.
Heal is the fourth studio album by American thrash metal band Sacred Reich, released February 27, 1996, via Metal Blade Records. It is the band's final full-length studio album to feature guitarist Jason Rainey, and was their last one for 23 years, until the release of Awakening in August 2019.
Job for a Cowboy is an American death metal band from Glendale, Arizona. Formed in 2003, the band's debut album Genesis was released in 2007, peaking at No. 54 on the US Billboard 200 and selling 13,000 copies in its first week of release. The second album, 2009's Ruination, sold 10,600 copies in the United States in its first week to debut at position No. 42 on the Billboard 200 chart. The band comprises vocalist Jonny Davy, guitarists Tony Sannicandro and Al Glassman and bassist Nick Schendzielos. Davy is the only remaining founding member.
Metal Massacre is a series of compilation albums released through Metal Blade Records. It is famous for "shedding light" on bands such as The Obsessed, Trouble, Overkill, Metal Church, Metallica, Slayer, Virgin Steele, Hellhammer, Voivod, Armored Saint, Lizzy Borden, Possessed and more.
Death Rituals is the eighth studio album by American death metal band Six Feet Under. It was released on November 11, 2008, through Metal Blade Records. It is also available in a limited digipak edition with three live bonus tracks.
Sewn Mouth Secrets is the second full-length album from Louisiana-based heavy metal band Soilent Green. It was released on September 22, 1998.
Addictive were an Australian thrash metal band formed in 1987. The original line-up was Joe Buttigieg on guitar, Greg Smith on lead vocals and bass guitar, and Matt Coffey on drums. In February 1988, Mick Sultana was recruited on lead guitar. They released two studio albums, Pity of Man and Kick 'Em Hard. In July 1990 Steve More (ex-Enticer) had replaced Coffey on drums. They were influenced by Metallica, Sacred Reich and Nuclear Assault. Addictive disbanded in 1996. In 2004 both Buttigieg and Sultana joined a reformation of fellow thrash metallers, Mortal Sin.
James Franklin Murphy is an American guitarist. He is best known for his work in metal bands Obituary, Death and Testament. He founded Disincarnate, an early death metal band.
Poison Headache is an American thrash metal band that formed in 2010. The band consists of guitarist, bassist, and vocalist Phil Sgrosso, vocalist and guitarist Andy Kukta and drummer Kyle Rosa.
Awakening is the fifth studio album by American thrash metal band Sacred Reich, released through Metal Blade Records on August 23, 2019. This is the band's first full-length studio album since Heal (1996), marking the longest gap between Sacred Reich's studio albums, as well as their first release with rhythm guitarist Joey Radziwill, who replaced founding member Jason Rainey right before the recording sessions began.
