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Metal Discussion => Metal Discussion => Topic started by: Kurt Cocaine on June 19, 2019, 11:13:37 AM

Title: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Kurt Cocaine on June 19, 2019, 11:13:37 AM
Inspired mainly by the discussion of the best Slayer album on the Slayer thread....

What's your favourite top four albums by the so called 'Big 4' thrash bands?
The albums that you have played and cherished the most over the years?

For me it's.......

METALLICA

1: Ride the Lightning (1984)
2: Master of Puppets (1986)
3: Kill 'em All (1983)
4: ...And Justice for All (1988)

MEGADETH

1: Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? (1986)
2: Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! (1985}
3: So Far, So Good... So What! (1988)
4: Countdown to Extinction (1992)

SLAYER

1: Reign in Blood (1986)
2: South of Heaven (1988)
3: Seasons in the Abyss (1990)
4: Hell Awaits (1985)

ANTHRAX

1: Among the Living (1987)
2: Persistence of Time (1990)
3: State of Euphoria (1988)
4: Sound of White Noise (1993)

I have chosen 4 albums from each band because I genuinely don't reach for any other Metallica album bar the four I've listed above nowadays but feel free to add more from each band if you wish to....
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Black Shepherd Carnage on June 19, 2019, 11:29:11 AM
How can you rank Killing Is My Business and Countdown but not RIP? You trippin' boy. I was expecting a total of 4 best from the big 4. There'd be no Anthrax even in a top 10 of my favourite albums from the big 4.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Cernunnos on June 19, 2019, 11:53:58 AM
METALLICA

and Justice for all
Kill em all
Master of Puppets
Ride the Lightening

MEGADETH

Rust in Peace
Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?
So Far, So Good... So What!
Countdown to Extinction

SLAYER

Divine Intervention (yes i know controversial but was my first album i got from them)
Reign in Blood
Hell Awaits
Seasons


ANTHRAX

None  an absolute shite band, I say give me "Onslaught - the force" !
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Kurt Cocaine on June 19, 2019, 11:55:20 AM
Quote from: Black Shepherd Carnage on June 19, 2019, 11:29:11 AM
How can you rank Killing Is My Business and Countdown but not RIP? You trippin' boy. I was expecting a total of 4 best from the big 4. There'd be no Anthrax even in a top 10 of my favourite albums from the big 4.
Killing is pure nostalgia for me. Its the first proper 'heavy/fast' album I had ever heard in full (I had a couple of badly copied thrash compilation tapes before this). It was my proper gateway to the heavier mid-80s sound....
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Black Shepherd Carnage on June 19, 2019, 12:12:08 PM
Killing is great, I'm not denying that, but it seems odd to rank both its raw style AND the heavily produced style of Countdown, but not RIP which is metal perfection; smooth but frenetic. Takes all sorts!
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Kurt Cocaine on June 19, 2019, 12:36:03 PM
Quote from: Black Shepherd Carnage on June 19, 2019, 12:12:08 PM
Killing is great, I'm not denying that, but it seems odd to rank both its raw style AND the heavily produced style of Countdown, but not RIP which is metal perfection; smooth but frenetic. Takes all sorts!
Those listed above are simply the albums I have listened to (and continue to) the most over the years. Musical tastes are subjective my dear man.
If it's any consolation, Rust is my 5th favourite Megadeth album.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: stevie-0 on June 19, 2019, 01:02:15 PM
.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Black Shepherd Carnage on June 19, 2019, 04:19:47 PM
Quote from: stevie-0 on June 19, 2019, 01:02:15 PM
Oh this old thread again...always raises the heartbeat in those who dont know there is no such thing as best album...only favourite album.

:laugh:

I guess it was just Countdown that made it seem a funny four. Like if someone said their top four Metallica albums were Kill 'Em All, Ride the Lightning, AJFA, and The Black Album.

In simple chronological order, my list would be like this:

Metallica: First four.
Megadeth: Peace Sells, SFSGSW, RIP, Youthanasia.
Slayer: Hell Awaits, Reign In Blood, South of Heaven, Seasons In The Abyss (which I'm not particularly keen on, but still prefer to anything later).
Anthrax: I think I may once have listened to an entire Anthrax album.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: ldj on June 19, 2019, 04:48:26 PM
Metallica: Lightning, Puppets, ANJA, KEA
Megadeth: RIP, Peace Sells, Countdown, KIMB.
Slayer: Hell Awaits, RIB, Seasons, SOH
Anthrax: Among the Living, Spreading the Disease.

Although I'm a fan of the first 6 albums, I've always felt the covers on the first three Megadeth album really bring them down, the production on KIMB and SFSGSW are rubbish too, they did a good job remixing KIMB last year so hopefully SFSGSW gets a similar treatment. Youthanasia is an underrated record too.



Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Black Shepherd Carnage on June 19, 2019, 04:52:46 PM
SFSGSW with Poland and Samuelson plus the same sound as Peace Sells would have been so, so good. And agreed on the covers, I think that's a kinda universal opinion! I guess when it comes to the drugs, ya gotta take a bit of shit with that sugar!
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Ducky on June 19, 2019, 05:13:53 PM
Metallica
1. ...AJFA, 2.MoP, 3. RiL, 4. Load

Slayer
1. RiB, 2. Divine Intervention, 3. SitA, 4. SoH

Megadeth
1. RiP, 2. PS...BWB, 3. Youthanasia, 4. ...

Anthrax
Ha, nope.

I can maybe interchange my first two Metallica albums, RtL isn't even close to them (Fade to Black, Escape are awful shite) and I'll go for Load any day over the rest, K'eA included as it bores me to tears. Doesn't have the bite necessary to really make me care for it.

I think Slayer are the most consistent of the lot of them, though I don't rate Hell Awaits at all. I'll even give God Hates Us All and World Painted Blood the odd spin.

With Megadeth it's not even close. RiP is in a different league to everything else they've ever done. To be honest it's in a different league to most other records. Peace Sells is a classic record too, but let down by the shite Willie Nelson cover. Youthanasia is the sound of a band going commercial and nailing it. Outside of those three I only listen to the odd song here and there.

Anthrax have always been a bad fucking joke.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Thorn on June 19, 2019, 08:11:25 PM
Holy fuck, Ride ,Kill, Hell, tossed aside like that?  Albums I would term classics.  Damn, it doesnt matter to me much now whether you dig Septagon or not  :laugh:

This is a nightmare poll though. Head wrecking.
Gonna nail my colours up though and go

1. Metallica - Ride The Lightning
2. Slayer - Reign In Blood
3. Megadeth - Rust In Peace
4. Megadeth -  Peace Sells....But Who's Buying

Now if anyone starts a   "Best Song From The Big Four" thread ,my head will actually explode.

Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Blitzer666 on June 19, 2019, 09:05:37 PM
Last 2 Anthrax albums have been much better than the last Metallica, slayer and megadeth albums.

Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Thorn on June 19, 2019, 09:11:34 PM
Agreed.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Lost-Paradise on June 19, 2019, 09:34:51 PM
Slayer:
1.Divine Intervention
2. Seasons in the Abyss
3. South of Heaven
4. Reign in Blood

Metallica:
1. Master of Puppets
2. Justice
3. Ride the Lightning
4. Kill 'em All

Anthrax:
1. Sound of White Noise
2. We've Come for you all
3. The Greater of Two Evils ( A lot of the tracks on this album are way better versions than the Belladonna ones)
4.  Persistence of Time (Excluding Got The Time)

Megadeth:
1. Peace Sells
2. Rust In Peace
3. So far so good
4. Killing is my Business
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Thorn on June 19, 2019, 10:40:15 PM
Eh, it's  best four from the top four, not four of each
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: DeletedUsermNqGIiIuGy on June 19, 2019, 10:46:15 PM
1. Metallica - Best of Album
2. Slayer -  Best of Album
3. Megadeth -  Best of Album
4. Megadeth -   Best of Album
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Thorn on June 19, 2019, 10:56:28 PM
Best ofs are for music tourists, don't possess a single one and never will, creative answer though!
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Paul keohane on June 19, 2019, 11:23:11 PM
Master of Puppets
South of Heaven
Countdown  (im not a big megadeth fan but i realky like this)
Persistence of Time.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Paul keohane on June 19, 2019, 11:24:57 PM
Quote from: Blitzer666 on June 19, 2019, 09:05:37 PM
Last 2 Anthrax albums have been much better than the last Metallica, slayer and megadeth albums.
Absolutely
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Black Shepherd Carnage on June 19, 2019, 11:31:13 PM
Quote from: Thorn on June 19, 2019, 10:40:15 PM
Eh, it's  best four from the top four, not four of each

Best four from each in op... otherwise Anthrax wouldn't get any look in at all!  :P  :abbath:
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Thorn on June 19, 2019, 11:56:41 PM
Ah just copped that after rereading the op,  fucksake,  be here all night,  fave. Anthrax is Persistence of Time..leave it at that.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Jward on June 20, 2019, 08:39:53 AM
Master of Puppets
Reign In Blood
The Legacy :)
Game Over :)
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Ducky on June 20, 2019, 09:22:19 AM
Quote from: Blitzer666 on June 19, 2019, 09:05:37 PM
Last 2 Anthrax albums have been much better than the last Metallica, slayer and megadeth albums.

Which is like saying "my last two shits are better than yours".
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Trev on June 20, 2019, 09:28:13 AM
Metallica - switch between Lightning and Puppets as my favourite, but I find that myself going to a mix of Load/Reload if I want to listen to them these days

Slayer - Seasons in the Abyss, loved Reign in Blood when I first heard it but started to find it a bit repetitive as the years went on. Was a bit older when I finally got around to Hell Awaits so it never had the impact on me that the others did

Megadeth - Rust in Peace is the only one I'd have time for, a lot of great tracks on the other early stuff but also a lot I skip over whenever I put them on

Anthrax - eh, maybe Sound of White Noise, or WHCFYA, definitely something from the Bush era anyway
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Ducky on June 20, 2019, 09:31:59 AM
Quote from: Thorn on June 19, 2019, 08:11:25 PM

Now if anyone starts a   "Best Song From The Big Four" thread ,my head will actually explode.

Mine are clear-cut!  :abbath:

The Thing That Should Not Be
Postmortem
Leper Messiah
Devil's Island

They're the songs that sparked my interested in metal, but they still hold up to constant listening.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Pedrito on June 20, 2019, 09:52:09 AM
Anthrax suck big guido balls..

Big 3 list coming shortly  :abbath:
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Blitzer666 on June 20, 2019, 12:28:36 PM
Quote from: Ducky on June 20, 2019, 09:22:19 AM
Quote from: Blitzer666 on June 19, 2019, 09:05:37 PM
Last 2 Anthrax albums have been much better than the last Metallica, slayer and megadeth albums.

Which is like saying "my last two shits are better than yours".

Have u listened to them or u just following the rest of the sheep?
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: TheFlyingGiraffe on June 20, 2019, 09:28:24 PM
Man imagine thinking that Divine Intervention is Slayer's best album...

Metallica
1. Kill Em All
2. Master of Puppets
3. Ride the Lightning
4. And Justice for All

Megadeth
1. Peace Sells
2. Rust in Peace
3. Killing is my Business
4. So Far So Good

Slayer
1. Show No Mercy
2. Reign in Blood
3. Hell Awaits
4. Can I put Haunting the Chapel? If not Seasons in the Abyss is not bad I guess...

Anthrax
1. Among the Living
2. Fistful of Metal
3. Spreading the Disease
4. State of Euphoria

Megadeth are the most consistently good out of the lot. Slayer phoned it in in the 90s. Metallica are a stadium rock band that don't play thrash metal anymore. Anthrax are a lot better live than they are on record.

Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: leatherface on June 20, 2019, 10:20:04 PM
Ahh lads Anthrax aren't *that bad, they have decent tracks here and there, aaanyway my pick for them is 'Persistence of Time', Megadave 'Rust in Peace', Ex-Alcoholica 'Justice' or 'Lightning', Slayerrrrr 'South of Heaven'.

Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Ducky on June 21, 2019, 03:16:19 AM
Quote from: Blitzer666 on June 20, 2019, 12:28:36 PM
Quote from: Ducky on June 20, 2019, 09:22:19 AM
Quote from: Blitzer666 on June 19, 2019, 09:05:37 PM
Last 2 Anthrax albums have been much better than the last Metallica, slayer and megadeth albums.

Which is like saying "my last two shits are better than yours".

Have u listened to them or u just following the rest of the sheep?

My opinion is "they're shit" so I think that implies I've listened to them and think they're shit, does it not?

Calling people "sheep" because they don't like shit like Anthrax. I bet you have a goatee just like Scott Ian an' all.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Mower Liberation Front on June 21, 2019, 05:46:47 AM
Metallica
And Justice for All
Master of Puppets
Ride the Lightning
Kill Em All

Slayer
South of Heaven
Reign in Blood
Seasons in the Abyss
Show No Mercy

Megadave
Peace Sells
So Far So Good So What
Rust in Peace
Countdown

Anthrax
Spreading the Disease
Among the Living
State of Euphoria
Persistence of Time.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Blitzer666 on June 21, 2019, 07:32:39 AM
Quote from: Ducky on June 21, 2019, 03:16:19 AM
Quote from: Blitzer666 on June 20, 2019, 12:28:36 PM
Quote from: Ducky on June 20, 2019, 09:22:19 AM
Quote from: Blitzer666 on June 19, 2019, 09:05:37 PM
Last 2 Anthrax albums have been much better than the last Metallica, slayer and megadeth albums.

Which is like saying "my last two shits are better than yours".

Have u listened to them or u just following the rest of the sheep?

My opinion is "they're shit" so I think that implies I've listened to them and think they're shit, does it not?

Calling people "sheep" because they don't like shit like Anthrax. I bet you have a goatee just like Scott Ian an' all.

You've properly listened to their last 2 albums, even tho anthrax are shit!? U must have plenty of time on yer hands.  Tell yer ma I'll be round about 10, once u are tucked up in bed.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Cosmic_Equilibrium on July 08, 2019, 09:57:51 PM
Metallica:

1) Ride The Lightning
2) ...And Justice For All
3) Load
4) Master Of Puppets


Slayer:

1) South Of Heaven
2) Show No Mercy
3) Seasons In The Abyss
4) Reign In Blood


Megadeth:

1) Youthanasia
2) KIMB
3) SFSGSW
4) Countdown


Never really got into Anthrax much.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Carnage on July 08, 2019, 10:38:14 PM
Not quite a top 4 of each, just the albums I can be bothered with in the order I rate them.

Metallica:
1. Ride The Lightning
2. Master Of Puppets
3. ...And Justice For All
4. Kill 'Em All

Slayer:
1. South Of Heaven
=2. Seasons In The Abyss
=2. Show No Mercy
4. Reign In Blood
5. Divine Intervention

Megadeth:
1. Rust In Peace
2. Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?
3. So Far... So Good... So What?
Don't care after that.

Anthrax:
1. Persistence Of Time
2. Among The Living
3. Spreading The Disease
4. Worship Metal
5. State Of Euphoria
6. We've Come For You All

Top 4 of those would just be each band's number 1 above. I can't stand Hell Awaits, apart from the title track. Sloppily written, played and produced. Never a fan of Fistful Of Metal, and Killing Is My Business... is one of the worst things I've heard.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Mooncat on July 12, 2019, 06:17:27 PM
Reckon a best 4 from the combined top 4 is a way more interesting thread, otherwise it's just pointless, mainly predictable long lists. Also, are we still considering Anthrax 'Big 4' at this point?

Anyways, my list today (which would be completely different from my teenage list) would be:

1. Megadeth - Rust in Piece
2. Metallica - Ride the Lightning
3. Megadeth - Peace Sells
4. Suicidal Tendencies - self titled
4. Slayer - Reign in Blood
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Bogmetaller on July 15, 2019, 04:32:58 PM
Am I the only one here who thinks Peace sells is shite??
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: leatherface on July 15, 2019, 05:05:21 PM
Quote from: Bogmetaller on July 15, 2019, 04:32:58 PM
Am I the only one here who thinks Peace sells is shite??

It's a total classic start to finish, the riffs are cool, the solos from Poland and Mustaine are all amazing, there's thrashin'...c'mon man🤯
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Carnage on July 15, 2019, 05:12:54 PM
The cover song is dogshit. Apart from that it's a great album.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Bogmetaller on July 15, 2019, 05:27:55 PM
Must be just me so :laugh: like I couldn't put it anywhere near rust in peace - to me that is in the  top 5 metal albums ever!
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Trev on July 15, 2019, 07:31:44 PM
Nah, not dogshit but there's only three, maybe four songs I'd ever listen to off it. Better than both albums released either side of it but not a patch on Rust in Peace
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: The Heretic on July 15, 2019, 09:39:08 PM
Holy Wars..the Punishment Due...pisses over any song written by the other top 3......
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: leatherface on July 15, 2019, 11:04:29 PM
'Wake up Dead' by Megadeth is one of the best metal songs ever recorded, have never got sick of hearing it.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Bogmetaller on July 16, 2019, 12:04:08 PM
Quote from: The Heretic on July 15, 2019, 09:39:08 PM
Holy Wars..the Punishment Due...pisses over any song written by the other top 3......

I would nearly have to agree with you to be honest........
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: welshchris on July 16, 2019, 12:44:53 PM
Like a load of folks already mentioned here was there ever really a big 4 surely it's always been a Big 3 and Anthrax not much more than an also ran..

If we're being really honest Slayer were also never the huge mass pull of Metallica and Megadeth certainly not in that big cross over out of Metal.

Still I'll give you my top 6

1 – Lightening
2- Justice
3- Puppets
4 – Rust in Peace
5 – Peace Sells
6 – Reign In Blood

Maybe or not controversial opinions..
Killing is my business and Kill 'Em All just haven't aged well at all, I'd take the John Bush Anthrax stuff over the Joey material. Do Slayer really have any more than a 2 disc best of material that's worth blasting, they're guilty of a very patchy output.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Cryptic Stench on July 16, 2019, 01:33:35 PM
 Slayers output until 1990 was pure gold. Every right to be there.

They never had a major record the way Megadeth did but they never lost their fan base either. Slayer are definitely a bigger draw live and that's exemplified by the running order on the Big 4 shows
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: mk2glenn on July 16, 2019, 02:06:44 PM
Quote from: Cryptic Stench on July 16, 2019, 01:33:35 PM
Slayers output until 1990 was pure gold. Every right to be there.

They never had a major record the way Megadeth did but they never lost their fan base either. Slayer are definitely a bigger draw live and that's exemplified by the running order on the Big 4 shows
It's certainly close, but considering Slayer are more extreme, it's impressive that they would even have as much of a draw.

I would say Megadeth would have weathered the storm better with the Rust in Peace lineup as opposed to the circus it turned into.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Papa Het on July 17, 2019, 09:32:28 AM
Quote from: welshchris on July 16, 2019, 12:44:53 PM
Like a load of folks already mentioned here was there ever really a big 4 surely it's always been a Big 3 and Anthrax not much more than an also ran..

If we're being really honest Slayer were also never the huge mass pull of Metallica and Megadeth certainly not in that big cross over out of Metal.
The Big Four was obvious at the end of the 80's, when it was relevant. They were the four biggest selling bands to come out of thrash, no matter what revisionist filters are now applied with 30 years of distance. Were it the Big Four of crossover appeal out of Metal, you'd probably have to make some room for Korn and Limp Bizkit.

Take the first four albums of each and you've got most of what you need.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Kurt Cocaine on July 17, 2019, 09:52:21 AM
Quote from: Papa Het on July 17, 2019, 09:32:28 AM
Quote from: welshchris on July 16, 2019, 12:44:53 PM
Like a load of folks already mentioned here was there ever really a big 4 surely it's always been a Big 3 and Anthrax not much more than an also ran..

If we're being really honest Slayer were also never the huge mass pull of Metallica and Megadeth certainly not in that big cross over out of Metal.
The Big Four was obvious at the end of the 80's, when it was relevant. They were the four biggest selling bands to come out of thrash, no matter what revisionist filters are now applied with 30 years of distance. Were it the Big Four of crossover appeal out of Metal, you'd probably have to make some room for Korn and Limp Bizkit.

Take the first four albums of each and you've got most of what you need.
The Big Four were touring together as recently as 2011. Anthrax are definitely in the equation....

https://youtu.be/k1bxdjWLgRc
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Pentagrimes on July 17, 2019, 10:31:05 AM
I'd hardly be an Anthrax fan  but c'mon, "Among The Living" is great - admittedly that might be cos I was about 10 when it came out and it was probably the only thrash album I could get in Waterford, but I played the shit out of it as a kid and I still love it. Is it the wackiness that people don't like about them?
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Kurt Cocaine on July 17, 2019, 10:52:46 AM
Quote from: Pentagrimes on July 17, 2019, 10:31:05 AM
I'd hardly be an Anthrax fan  but c'mon, "Among The Living" is great - admittedly that might be cos I was about 10 when it came out and it was probably the only thrash album I could get in Waterford, but I played the shit out of it as a kid and I still love it. Is it the wackiness that people don't like about them?
I absolutely loved them as a kid (along with the other 3) and have a particular soft spot for them because they were the first band I got to see live. Albeit at that infamous Top Hat gig in Dún Laoghaire in 1989..... Hahahaha, 5 songs...

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/anthrax/1989/top-hat-ballroom-dublin-ireland-1bdac108.html
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Carnage on July 17, 2019, 11:03:02 AM
The wackiness was definitely an annoyance at the time. Part of Persistence Of Time's appeal for me is that they ditched the majority of that shtick at the time and just got on with it (didn't last long - hello I'm The Man '91, Milk, etc.) and produced their finest music IMO.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Kurt Cocaine on July 17, 2019, 11:09:31 AM
Quote from: Carnage on July 17, 2019, 11:03:02 AM
The wackiness was definitely an annoyance at the time. Part of Persistence Of Time's appeal for me is that they ditched the majority of that shtick at the time and just got on with it (didn't last long - hello I'm The Man '91, Milk, etc.) and produced their finest music IMO.
Yep, a lot of people would choose Persistence of Time as their go to Anthrax album alright.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Nixer on July 17, 2019, 11:10:25 AM
After a lot of careful thought and deliberation I have finally settled on my list.


Metallica

1.   Garage Inc.

2.   Re-Load

3.   St. Anger

4.   Load

Slayer

1.   Diabolus in Musica

2.   Christ Illusion

3.   God Hates Us All

4.   Undisputed Attitude

Megadeath

1.   Risk

2.   The World Needs a Herp

3.   Super Collider

4.   Cryptic Writings

Anthrax

1.   Bring the Noise single

2.   Volume 8: The Threat is Real

3.   Stomp 442

4.   State of Euphoria
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Papa Het on July 17, 2019, 11:13:52 AM
They have always had a strong element of humour through what they did. Still do. It doesn't diminish the quality of the music or how seriously they approached making it. Among The Living is a great album. Bush-era were the only good albums coming out of any of the Big Four past the very early 90's.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: leatherface on July 17, 2019, 01:08:49 PM
Quote from: Pentagrimes on July 17, 2019, 10:31:05 AM
I'd hardly be an Anthrax fan  but c'mon, "Among The Living" is great - admittedly that might be cos I was about 10 when it came out and it was probably the only thrash album I could get in Waterford, but I played the shit out of it as a kid and I still love it. Is it the wackiness that people don't like about them?

I was similar in that 'Among..' was my first taste of the band back then as a youngster. I still think it's a strong album though I could live the rest of my life without hearing 'Caught in a mosh' ever again. There are other stronger tracks on the album.

The 'Wackiness' as you put it was probably just their cartoonish logo (that weird head thing) and their skater gear and Bermuda shorts etc, especially during the 'State of Euphoria' days (which isn't actually a half bad album either- 'Now it's Dark' is amazing.)

Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Pentagrimes on July 17, 2019, 01:52:40 PM
Oh the shorts/skateboarding/cartoony logo/guitar covered in Ninja Turtle stickers definitely endeared me to them as a kid. Whereas when I saw "Hell Awaits" on Sky channell around the same time, I was fucking terrified of Slayer.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Carnage on July 17, 2019, 02:02:52 PM
My introduction to Anthrax was Metal Thrashing Mad on a compilation and then the Oidivnikufesin video, so that image was ingrained from the get-go. I was so happy when they ditched it, the music seemed to grow up with them. But yeah, Among The Living and Spreading The Disease (and State Of Euphoria, I suppose) are great, if far from perfect albums.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: blessed1 on July 17, 2019, 08:29:26 PM
Anthrax are one of the worst bands ive ever heard
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Ducky on July 17, 2019, 08:40:32 PM
Quote from: Papa Het on July 17, 2019, 11:13:52 AM
They have always had a strong element of humour through what they did. Still do. It doesn't diminish the quality of the music or how seriously they approached making it. Among The Living is a great album. Bush-era were the only good albums coming out of any of the Big Four past the very early 90's.

Nah, God Hates Us All and World Painted Blood are decent to great.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Bogmetaller on July 17, 2019, 10:04:17 PM
Quote from: Ducky on July 17, 2019, 08:40:32 PM
Quote from: Papa Het on July 17, 2019, 11:13:52 AM
They have always had a strong element of humour through what they did. Still do. It doesn't diminish the quality of the music or how seriously they approached making it. Among The Living is a great album. Bush-era were the only good albums coming out of any of the Big Four past the very early 90's.

Nah, God Hates Us All and World Painted Blood are decent to great.

Divine intervention came out in 94- Bush was in Anthrax with two years at that point. Savage album
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Carnage on July 17, 2019, 10:18:48 PM
Indeed, and their last essential one IMO. God Hates Us All and Repentless are probaly the only decent ones since, but neither one's a classic.

Worship Metal is the best big 4 album of the last 20-25 years IMO.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Papa Het on July 18, 2019, 08:08:34 AM
Divine Intervention is where Araya checked out creatively and settled into that vocal rut he has been in ever since, shout three lines and scream the fourth, then repeat. It's average at best. There's none of the creativity or imagination of Reign in Blood or South of Heaven, just the sound of lads giving up.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Carnage on July 18, 2019, 09:31:53 AM
The production's a bit lacklustre and 'thin' compared to the preceding three, too. The songs are there, though they're hit & miss and noth8ng compared to their classics. Still a good album.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Bogmetaller on July 18, 2019, 09:35:27 AM
Quote from: Papa Het on July 18, 2019, 08:08:34 AM
Divine Intervention is where Araya checked out creatively and settled into that vocal rut he has been in ever since, shout three lines and scream the fourth, then repeat. It's average at best. There's none of the creativity or imagination of Reign in Blood or South of Heaven, just the sound of lads giving up.
Have to disagree completely here - killing fields is one of the best slower paced song Slayer ever did and on the flip side Dittohead is one of the best fast songs they ever did. That song is insane.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Cryptic Stench on July 18, 2019, 09:48:27 AM
Disagree with Divine too, lyrically speaking some of the stuff is amongst  Arayas best, many of the lyrics moving away from satanic themes and dealing with real life horrors. 213, Sex Murder and Killing fields all exemplify the approach.

Vocally I'd concede and agree that there's some one dimensional approaches to a lot of the songs but the material is so ferocious I don't see scope for anything else, it'd be like saying there's too much growling on a death metal album. In Serenity and murder where there's a tad more space you find he's more creative.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Papa Het on July 18, 2019, 10:12:41 AM
There are still ways to deliver some character in extreme music but Araya was just belting out syllables. He might as well have been shouting out the phone book. Listen to how he added personality to the earlier stuff. Seriously, count how many songs he just trots out the 3 shout lines followed by the screamed line. Be warned, though, once you hear it you'll hear it all over every album the did since and it'll ruin them too  :laugh:
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Black Shepherd Carnage on July 18, 2019, 11:52:56 AM
There were already shades of that vocal approach on Seasons, but yeah, the later stuff I can't stick the vocals at all because of it.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: welshchris on July 18, 2019, 12:57:34 PM
If all of the big 4 stopped releasing albums a good 25 years ago would their legacy be any different? It crazy to think how much quality came out in such a short space of time and basically so little quality in the time since. 
I'd prob put the last Metallica album as the best of the bunch in all that time, if they'd cut it down to a 45 min album would have been a total cracker.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Bogmetaller on July 18, 2019, 01:12:05 PM
Quote from: Black Shepherd Carnage on July 18, 2019, 11:52:56 AM
There were already shades of that vocal approach on Seasons, but yeah, the later stuff I can't stick the vocals at all because of it.
I don't think there was ever much scope for experimenting with Araya's singing in the first place - he wasn't a singer per se more a shouter for want of a better way of putting it.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Trev on July 18, 2019, 01:27:16 PM
Yeah Araya's vocals have always been fairly one dimensional, don't think they've really changed too much over the years

That thing about shouting a few lines then screaming the last pretty much sounds like the Angel of Death delivery
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Cryptic Stench on July 18, 2019, 02:54:56 PM
Lads you can't critique Araya and not criticise the rest. Hetfield's vocals have been a joke since Load. I'll give you that he's rediscovered some sort of form but the -ah at the end of every fucking sentence wears thin.

Mustaine? I've heard cats that can do better. He's resorted to formula too, chat your way through a verse followed by a melodic chorus you've not a hope of ever replicating live.

QuoteIf all of the big 4 stopped releasing albums a good 25 years ago would their legacy be any different

This is probably a more interesting topic as quite clearly these bands first 4-5 releases are probably and unarguably where it's at for most.

From Slayer I rate Divine and to be fair I listen to World Painted Blood a lot, that's really their last album for me.

Megadeth it's  Youthanasia a really mature record for them. Anything they've released post risk has been play 5 times then shelve.

Metallica - Load/Reload not so much because they're classics but it's the last time they made an effort. St Anger is one of the worst things ever recorded, only bettered by LULU and Death Magnetic/Hardwired are both chores to get through. Vaguely recalling classic, superior material

Anthrax - probably my least favourite of the four but they've weathered somewhat better. Sound Of White Noise is awesome, as is WHCFYA. The material since Joey's return ain't too bad either.





Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Papa Het on July 19, 2019, 09:45:52 AM
Quote from: Cryptic Stench on July 18, 2019, 02:54:56 PM
Lads you can't critique Araya and not criticise the rest.
That's fair  :laugh:

Hetfield has been questionable since he blew his voice recording the Black album and started crooning. He's fine for the latter stuff but he hasn't been able to do justice to any of the early songs since. Even touring the Black ablum, he couldn't do the early stuff well at that stage. Mustaine... it's not just that he's all over the shop, but he lost the sneer, the attitude which allowed him to sound amazing despite being nowhere near the right note.

Again, Anthrax come up smelling of roses here, though. Bush is still fantastic. He was superb with Armored Saint in Voodoo last year. Belladonna's voice is weaker than in his prime, you can hear he sounds older, but he's still got the energy and can hit the notes, fair fucks to him. It took me a while to warm to Worship Music and For All Kings but they are good albums and they can still do it live too. Benante also deserves credit, he's a better drummer now than he was in his youth.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Ducky on July 19, 2019, 08:08:25 PM
Quote from: Cryptic Stench on July 18, 2019, 09:48:27 AM
Disagree with Divine too, lyrically speaking some of the stuff is amongst  Arayas best, many of the lyrics moving away from satanic themes and dealing with real life horrors. 213, Sex Murder and Killing fields all exemplify the approach.

Vocally I'd concede and agree that there's some one dimensional approaches to a lot of the songs but the material is so ferocious I don't see scope for anything else, it'd be like saying there's too much growling on a death metal album. In Serenity and murder where there's a tad more space you find he's more creative.

Yiz know Hanneman and King wrote almost all the lyrics?
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Bogmetaller on July 19, 2019, 10:20:18 PM
Quote from: Papa Het on July 19, 2019, 09:45:52 AM
Quote from: Cryptic Stench on July 18, 2019, 02:54:56 PM
Lads you can't critique Araya and not criticise the rest.
That's fair  :laugh:

Benante also deserves credit, he's a better drummer now than he was in his youth.

Wanted to say this alright - when they supported slayer in the 3 arena last year it was an experience just to watch him drumming.
Title: Re: The Big 4: top 4 albums....
Post by: Trev on July 20, 2019, 06:45:04 AM
Quote from: Ducky on July 19, 2019, 08:08:25 PM
Quote from: Cryptic Stench on July 18, 2019, 09:48:27 AM
Disagree with Divine too, lyrically speaking some of the stuff is amongst  Arayas best, many of the lyrics moving away from satanic themes and dealing with real life horrors. 213, Sex Murder and Killing fields all exemplify the approach.

Vocally I'd concede and agree that there's some one dimensional approaches to a lot of the songs but the material is so ferocious I don't see scope for anything else, it'd be like saying there's too much growling on a death metal album. In Serenity and murder where there's a tad more space you find he's more creative.

Yiz know Hanneman and King wrote almost all the lyrics?
South of Heaven, Seasons and Divine Intervention all had about half each album with Araya doing lyrics, either credited on his own or with King/Hanneman. Seemed to do less after that but the ones he did were usually the best stuff on the later albums