With their brutal, simple riffs and aggressive, fast tempos, Accept was one of the top metal bands of the early '80s, and a major influence on the development of thrash. Led by the unique vocal stylings of screeching banshee Udo Dirkschneider, the band forged an instantly recognizable sound and was notorious as one of the decade's fiercest live... [+] Read More

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California's Agent Steel were something of an anomaly, treading the murky waters between traditional melodic metal and more aggressive thrash. Too hard for Judas Priests' fans, too soft for Metallica's, the band wound up striking out with both camps, and continual internal turmoil soon brought their career to a halt.


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Nearly as much as Metallica or Megadeth, Anthrax was responsible for the emergence of speed and thrash metal. Combining the speed and fury of hardcore punk with the prominent guitars and vocals of heavy metal, they helped create a new subgenre of heavy metal on their early albums. Original guitarists Scott Ian and Dan Spitz were a formidable... [+] Read More

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Known for such powerful hits as "Two Minutes to Midnight" and "The Trooper," Iron Maiden was and is one of the most influential bands of the heavy metal genre. The often-imitated band existed for over 20 years, pumping out wild rock similar to Judas Priest. Iron Maiden has always been an underground attraction; although failing to ever obtain... [+] Read More

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Judas Priest was one of the most influential heavy metal bands of the '70s, spearheading the New Wave of British Heavy Metal late in the decade. Decked out in leather and chains, the band fused the gothic doom of Black Sabbath with the riffs and speed of Led Zeppelin, as well as adding a vicious two-lead guitar attack; in doing so, they set the... [+] Read More

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Canadian mainstream metal band Kick Axe was formed in Regina, Saskatchewan, in 1976 by brothers Victor Langen (bass) and Gary Langen (drums), along with guitarist Larry Gillstrom. The band started out playing biker festivals around their home province, and soon added second guitarist Raymond Arthur Harvey in January 1978. Kick Axe relocated to... [+] Read More

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Originally considered an LA sleaze band, Laaz Rockit began in 1982 with little attention until the mid '80s, when they were signed with Enigma Records. They're now considered one of the best power/thrash metal bands in California. ~ John Book, All Music Guide

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After he left Metallica in 1983, guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine formed the thrash metal quartet Megadeth. Though Megadeth followed the basic blueprint of Metallica's relentless attack, Mustaine's group distinguished themselves from his earlier band by lessening the progressive rock influences, adding an emphasis on instrumental skills,... [+] Read More

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Nocturnal Rites began life as the Swedish death metal outfit Necronomic, which released a demo tape entitled The Obscure in 1991. Gradually, as the band members realized they would prefer to play more melodic strains of metal they had enjoyed growing up -- British and Gothic metal bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Helloween -- their own... [+] Read More

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The British band known as Rage has no ties to the German melodic thrashers who emerged a few years later, but actually rose from the ashes of '70s hard rock also-rans Nutz in 1981. Having witnessed the promise of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal firsthand when their last Nutz composition, "Bootliggers," was featured in the very popular Metal... [+] Read More

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