Which of these amazing albums does everyone think is the best from the 4 original thrash kings? I chose the albums that (I feel) are the best examples of these groups in their prime.

My pick: Megadeth: Rust in Peace.

It's tough to pick between that or Master of Puppets, but Rust in Peace is such a tight album with some of the most incredible technical guitar work of the four choices. Dave and Marty were in full swing on this one, and there isn't one song that sucks. The solo in "Tornado of Souls" is still one of the greatest I've ever heard.

My order:

Metallica - Master of Puppets
Slayer - Reign in Blood (prefer Seasons....)
Megadeth - Rust in Peace (my fav. Megadeth album, fwiw)
Anthrax - Among the Living

My personal preference:

Slayer: Reign in Blood (Also my favorite album of all time)
Megadeth: Rust in Peace
Metallica: Master of Puppets
Anthrax: Among the Living

I picked Slayer, but I go back and forth between that and Masters followed by Among the Living.... Never cared for Rust in Peace.

Master is my favorite album of all time so this was pretty easy.
Then we go Rust, Among, Reign.

My order too.

I love "Reign in Blood" but prefer "Seasons in the Abyss" from start to finish. "Rust in Peace" and "Among the Living" are definitely Megadeth's and Anthrax's strongest albums.

I didn't know Metallica was considered "thrash"... I usually see it spelled (for them) without the extra h.

Thras isn't even a word, though.

Slayer all the way...Piece by Piece is one of my favorite Slayer songs, but the whole album is great.

My favorite Metallica album is Kill 'Em All, but Reign in Blood gets my poll vote. A landmark record, though Seasons in the Abyss might have the superior collection of songs.

He means "trash".

I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume that pinata isn't that stupid.

The Bus' comment, however, is. Metallica trash? Not from '83-'90 they weren't.

I voted for Master Of Puppets, though I personally prefer Ride The Lightning as my top pick....

Same here.


Slayer sucks.

Well the correct answer is "Ride The Lightning" by Metallica, so I guess the question is really "Greatest thrash record from the Big Four Besides Ride The Lightning".

With that in mind, my favorite from that list is "Reign In Blood".

By the way, "Peace Sells..." is way better than "Rust In Peace"

I don't think there's a song that gets me more pumped up than Take No Prisoners.

I'd have to follow Rust in Peace with Among the Living (Follow me or die!). Then Slayer and Metallica.

Ehhhh. That album gets too slow. I don't consider any Metallica album post-Kill Em' All, thrash. We should replace Master with Bonded by Blood.

I voted for Slayer. Would have voted for Metallica, had the choice been Kill 'Em All instead.

Never cared for Rust in Piece a whole lot. Liked Killing In My Business and So Far, So Good, So What a lot, though.


Would have voted for Exdous' Bonded By Blood had they been included...

To be fair KillerC refers to "The Big Four" of which Exodus, a great thrash band, is not included.

Those are my exact words I was going to type. I fully agree with that statement.

Funny the sentiments we shared, especially since I hadn't seen your post at the time I made mine!

I vote other :

I'm all about Tornado of Souls on that album. Killer solo, although Marty, from what a co-worker told me, always played the solo sloppily live. Either way, that song rules.....

I do agree with this completely though...

My Order:

Anthrax - Among the Living
Megadeth - Rust in Peace
Metallica - Master of Puppets

All three are great albums, but ATL is my favorite. It was the first album I ever got into and it's 20 years later and I still don't get tired of it. I like that Anthrax didn't take themselves too seriously. Too bad they haven't put a good album since 1993.

Puppets and Rust is a toss up. The only song I don't like on either album is Damage Inc.

I can't stand Slayer, so their not going anywhere on my list.