In many ways thrash is the subgenre of music which permanently
put heavy metal on the map in the United States. Sunset Strip glam metal was hugely popular and slightly
preceded thrash. However, many argue glam
metal is not true metal and it has clearly fallen out of favor. (I believe glam metal is true metal, it has
never fallen out of my favor, and I continue to worship at its altar regularly,
but realize it has its detractors). The Florida death metal scene was also an American contribution, and has a tremendously devoted fan base, but has failed to produce any genre transcending iconic bands.
Thrash on the other hand, having hit its peak during the height of American metal interest in the late 80, produced some of metal music’s few undeniably metal household names, such as Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax. In addition, thrash has remained a viable genre, with new thrash albums blasting their way into our ears regularly.
