THRASH HITS:
SIDE FOUR (’00-’18)
DESTRUCTION THE BUTCHER STRIKES BACK (ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE, 2000)
Audibly furious with themselves for wasting a decade, the reunited pioneers reclaimed territory on this wistful memoir – our first clue that the 00s heralded a new thrash Golden Age.
KREATOR RECONQUERING THE THRONE (VIOLENT REVOLUTION, 2001)
As soon as this explosive opener burst out of the speakers, we were all trying to wipe away tears, even as our heads were banging.
EXODUS SCAR SPANGLED BANNER (TEMPO OF THE DAMNED, 2004)
After helping Testament and Kreator renew their thrash vows, producer Andy Sneap worked his magic on Exodus’s long-awaited comeback, blown open by this raging volley of anti-American attitude.
AURA NOIR CONDOR (THE MERCILESS, 2004)
Of all the bands blackening thrash, this Oslo trio had the sleekest chops, becoming the first band to sign with Darkthrone’s label, Tyrant Syndicate.
MUNICIPAL WASTE UNLEASH THE BASTARDS (HAZARDOUS MUTATION, 2005)
These guys stuffed a firecracker up thrash’s arse in the 00s, unleashing deliciously garish, frantic crossover suckerpunches, like this flailing tale of mechanised warfare.
SLAYER CULT (CHRIST ILLUSION, 2006)
With the return of drum god Dave Lombardo, Slayer got their edge back, as trailed on this obsessively blasphemous advance cut (release date: 6/6/6).
EVILE THRASHER (ENTER THE GRAVE, 2007)
The Huddersfield hellions dropped jaws in 2007 with the strength and purity of this time-warped assault, upping the ante on the genre’s revival.
MEGADETH HEADCRUSHER (ENDGAME, 2009)
A whirlwind of thrashy technicality, Headcrusher was the best Megadeth single to drop since the early 90s, and Endgame cemented a return to the very top of their game.
OVERKILL IRONBOUND (IRONBOUND, 2010)
Prolific hard-workers Overkill always kept up solid form, but in 2010 few expected anything as resoundingly powerful as this rugged, gleaming thrash masterclass.
METALLICA SPIT OUT THE BONE (HARDWIRED… TO SELF DESTRUCT, 2016)
After decades away from thrash, the men who kicked it off are snapping necks again on this righteous riff labyrinth, closing their latest LP with spirited momentum.