Two Doors to Thrash Metal

Here are two interesting entry points to the thrash galaxy.

1.

“Coma” by Overkill. The video is in fact the studio version collated to a variety of concert extracts:



2.

“Burnt Offerings” by Testament. I cannot seem to find a decent live version. This will have to do:



… but please go and find the album version.

Where was this music born? Check this foggy picture of the San Franscisco bay.

These songs are interesting entry points to thrash metal because they tell you what to expect (catchy guitar riffs, terrific drums) and what not to expect (interesting lyrics, innovative song structures). For some reason the album versions of the songs seem more interesting to me.

My own introduction to thrash metal was unconventional, since I first heard of it through Metallica's S & M -- not exactly a traditional thrash record.