Album Rating: 4.0

I believe this is true in the case of Metallica and Megadeth's early albums. I mean, most thrash bands could never write something as innovative as Call of Ktulu. But I don't know if I would say that about Slayer and Anthrax. There are a quite a few thrash bands I like more than them anyway.

Album Rating: 5.0

Anthrax is poo

Album Rating: 5.0

Anthrax wrote catchy songs, most thrash bands thrash way harder than they do.



Metallica is definitely at the top for songwriting alone. Megadeth thrashed harder and had great songwriting but weren't at the same level.



Slayer has iconic songs like your username and Raining Blood that helped them gain notoriety.

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

What separates "The Big 4" from 85% other thrash bands is quality man.

Besides a few records from some TM bands can you tell me records that match Reign in Blood, Master, Ride The Lightning, Peace Sells, Rust in Peace, Among the Living?



Maybe Testament's New Order, but it's hard to find

Anthrax is poo

Album Rating: 4.0

If it came down to it, I'd probably rather listen to Germany's Big 3 (Kreator, Sodom, Destruction) than the Big 4.

Album Rating: 5.0

I think a lot of it had to do with getting on the right tours, under the right record label, etc. as much as songwriting ability -- at least in the cases of Anthrax and Slayer.



Although Slayer had the whole satan thing that got them publicity, and Anthrax had a semi-marketable vocalist compared with other thrash bands so they got on MTV with catchy stuff like Caught in a Mosh.



But I'd definitely stack it up to songwriting for Metallica and Megadeth.

Album Rating: 5.0

Notrap, right. What Im getting at is what makes them quality is the songwriting peace. All of those albums, especially the Metallica albums, were written to be catchy and easy to remember/sing along too. Ive been thrashing to Sodom and Kreator all day and they definitely thrash harder than any of the big 4.

Album Rating: 4.5

Metallica is definitely at the top for songwriting alone



Maybe for the first 3 albums. But has anyone else noticed that most of their best tracks from KEA, RTL and MOP have Mustaine and/or Burton in the writing credits.

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

Don't get me wrong man of course they thrash hard and I really like some of their stuff very much. But it's far more difficult to make a thrash...let's say catchy..song than the standard 1000 rifs per second underground standard thrash songs

Album Rating: 5.0

true but for me the Black album is a fucking clinic in songwriting. I mean its a really basic album instrumentally but theres a reason it sold 80 bazillion copies and its because the songs were tight, well executed, and written with focus.

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

They are the big 4 for some reason...

Album Rating: 5.0

But it's far more difficult to make a thrash...let's say catchy..song than the standard 1000 rifs per second



^ true

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

"because the songs were tight, well executed, and written with focus"

Agreed



And believe me...it's very difficult to reach that level

Album Rating: 4.5

No doubt, Hans. But I assumed we were talking thrash, and I don't think I'd consider the Black Album thrash.

Album Rating: 5.0

its not just brought it up to focus on Metallica's songwriting skills cause they are unparraled in metal IMO. I mean, how else would a bunch of average musicians get to the level they did?

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

how else would a bunch of average musicians get to the level they did?



They don't

Album Rating: 4.5

by leeching of off skilled musicians/songwriters

coughlarsulrichcough

Album Rating: 5.0

lol yeah we all know Lars sucks at drumming but I mean he's credited on every Metallica song ever aside from a couple so yeah I give him some props in the songwriting department.

Album Rating: 4.5

I've heard that they were planning on replacing Lars after the MOP tour.