Top 10 songs by the Big Four of Thrash.

This is a challenge laid out by my friend Turr. Picking Ten has been insanely difficult but I will try to judge it as best I can.

10. Anthrax- Caught in a Mosh- This song is just generally a fun thrash song, the riffs are fast, the lyrics have a whimsical tinge to them, and the chorus is quite singable, not to mention it has a killer solo. In a list of great songs by the Big Four, this one is essential.

9. Anthrax- Metal Thrashing Mad- A lot of people would say that this song is inferior to everything on Among The Living, and as an album Among The Living is indeed better than Fistful of Metal, but this song is a pure thrash anthem, and I find it to be just slightly better than Caught in a Mosh. As you can tell I have a thing for thrash songs that are about thrashing, and the whole thrash attitude.

8. Slayer-Blood Red- This song is short but sweet, and I always find myself headbanging and singing along with it. It's theme is one that you find often in thrash metal, one of war and death, the massacre of innocent people if you will. It has an instantly recognizable riff, and the solo is quite awesome as well.

7. Slayer- Raining Blood- It's a little cliche to say mention this song, and I was tempted to place Angel of Death here instead, but something about this song just grabs me, that main riff is a monstrosity and it sounds so fucking heavy and sinister, and the screams of RAINING BLOOD FROM A LACERATED SKY, it just gets me. The end of it just goes into a chaotic onslaught of lead guitar that would make any Slayer fan happy.

6. Megadeth- Peace Sells: This song is definitely a favorite not just out of the big four, but in all of thrash metal in general. That bass line comes in and immediately you know you're in for something good, then you hear that lead guitar line and the vocals come in. It's one of the best things you can do in thrash metal, to sarcastically take stabs at "the system" and his vocals are perfect for it. This song is littered with awesome leads everywhere not to mention infectious riffs, and of course a fucking beast of a solo. What more ya asking for huh?

5. Megadeth- Tornado of Souls: For this spot in the list it came down to this song, or Hangar 18, and the deciding factor was the highly amazing solo right in the middle of this song, not necessarily better from a purely speed/technicality standpoint, but the choice of notes and rhythm for this solo were perfect, not to mention the song itself is wonderful. Definitely a classic.

4. Metallica-For Whom The Bell Tolls: This song is one that I've loved for quite awhile, and was instrumental in bridging the gap in my musical tastes, from nu metal type stuff into more extreme forms of metal. But all that aside, its a fucking awesome song. Another song about war, and it covers the topic well, the lyrics are great, the guitar part conveys the lyrical content well. This is one of my favorite Metallica songs, and although it doesn't have the hallmarks of your average thrash song its still one amazing song. "take a look to the sky just before you die...ITS THE LAST TIME YOU WILL!"

3. Metallica- Hit the Lights: I've been in love with this song from the first time I ever heard it, and I consider it the quintessential pure thrash song. This song is a thrash song about thrash, and the attitude and the feeling surrounding it, the thrill of being there live and banging your fucking head and the whole rush of it all. its chock full of awesome guitar leads, the drums are nothing special really, but I still consider it a classic. I've had the metal madness for years, and let me tell you, once you start to rock you'll never be able to quit.

2. Megadeath- Holy Wars: This song is about exactly what it sounds like its about, holy wars and the punishment that is due. This song is a work of musical genius, and it's structured perfectly, not just using verse chorus bridge solo, as you will see lots, but they also don't just change it just for the hell of it, and when the structure changes it goes with the lyrics at that particular section. It has some classic solos in it, and even a nice acoustic piece right before the first tempo change. A master work of thrash metal.

1. Metallica- Master of Puppets: I almost didn't want to put this here, because it's become such a cliche over the years, but I really do love this song, and I find it to be one of the best thrash songs ever written, and definitely the best by the big four of thrash. It has everything you could ever want in great thrash song, the choppy palm muted riffs, the perfect lyrical subject matter for a thrash song, a nice bass guitar presence, and the nice legato guitar soloing. Now take all that and right in the middle add a good healthy dose of melody and put in it a really emotive solo, and what do you have? You've got a masterpiece of a song, one for the ages if you like. Many may disagree, but this song has stood the test of time, and I think its awesome.