Formed in Canada in the early 80s, Voivod originally comprised Denis ‘Snake’ Belanger (vocals), Denis ‘Piggy’ D’Amour (Canada, d. 26 August 2005, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; guitar), Jean-Yves Theriault (bass) and Michel Langevin (drums). The release of their first album made them one of the first thrash metal bands to make a name for themselves worldw
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Formed in Los Angeles, California, USA, in 1981, Dark Angel specialize in ‘ultra-heavy thrash metal’. The original line-up comprised Don Doty (vocals), Jim Durkin (guitar), Eric Meyer (guitar), Rob Yahn (bass) and Mike Andrade (drums), although the latter was quickly replaced by Jack Schwartz. Early demos saw the band sign to Azra Records, resulting in the release of
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This experimental four-piece Texan outfit married the power of Metallica with the intricate and sophisticated arrangements of Rush, via the musicianship of Alan Tecchio (vocals), Ron Jarzombek (guitars), Doug Keyser (bass) and Rick Colaluca (drums). Watchtower’s playing was of a high order and their songs contained multiple time-changes, including Jarzombek’s exemplar
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Along with Kreator, this speed metal band was at the forefront of the 80s German thrash scene, although Destruction never quite achieved the former’s level of success. Destruction was formed in 1983 in Weil am Rhein, Germany by Schmier (Marcel Schmier Schirmer; bass, vocals), Mike Sifringer (guitar) and Tommy Sandmann (drums) made a rather raw debut with 1984’s min
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This German black metal/thrash trio was formed in 1983 by Tom Angelripper (bass, vocals), Aggressor (vocals, guitar) and Chris Witchhunter (drums), drawing inspiration from bands such as Motörhead, Anvil and Venom. Aggressor was replaced by the similarly pseudonymous Grave Violator on the agenda-setting debut EP, In The Sign Of Evil. By the time Obsessed By Cruelty emerged
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Formed in New York, USA, in 1985, this extreme and influential outfit initially comprised John Connelly (guitar/vocals), Dan Lilker (18 October 1964, USA; bass), Mike Bogush (guitar) and Scott Duboys (drums), although Anthony Bramante and Glenn Evans quickly replaced the latter pair. Lilker formed Nuclear Assault while still a member of Anthrax, making them one of the earlie
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Formed in Essen, Germany, in 1984, under the name Tormentor, this heavy metal band originally comprised Milan ‘Mille’ Petrozza (guitar/vocals), Rob Fioretti (bass) and Jürgen ‘Ventor’ Reil (drums). Their vicious thrash style was inspired by the filth and industrial pollution problem that Essen, on the River Ruhr, was experiencing. After changing their n
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This thrash metal quartet was formed in New York, USA, in 1984 by vocalist Bobby ‘Blitz’ Ellsworth, guitarist Bobby Gustafson, bass player D.D. Verni and drummer Rat Skates. Together they self-financed the recording of a mini-album. Desperately short of cash and exposure, they sold the rights to the small Azra label and made a net loss. They were soon picked up by Meg
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Formed in San Francisco, California, USA, in 1983, this heavy metal band comprised Jeff Becerra (bass/vocals), Mike Torrao (guitar), Larry Lalonde (Lawrence Lalonde, 12 September 1968, Richmond, California, USA; guitar) and Mike Sus (drums). Through early demos and their inclusion on the Metal Massacre VI compilation album, released on Metal Blade Records in 1984, the band a
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Formed in Switzerland in 1984 from the ashes of the thrash metal-inspired Hellhammer, Celtic Frost’s focal point was Thomas Gabriel Warrior (Thomas Gabriel Fischer, 19 July 1966, Zurich, Switzerland; guitar, vocals). Together with Martin Eric Ain (bass) and Stephen Priestly (drums), the group’s 1984 debut was a thrash metal landmark, with guttural vocals splinterin
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