The Mosh Pit 5.23.08: East Coast Thrash

Posted by Dan Haggerty on 05.23.2008

Thrash meets New York punk for some high speed riffs as the Mosh Pit invades the East Coast thrash scene. This week we look at the best albums from Anthrax, Overkill, Nuclear Assault, and even the Stormtroopers of Death. Enter the Pit and check out the full article!



I wanted to take a minute and thank everyone for some of the great feedback I've been getting. I've always pictured this column developing the kind of comments were people sound off on their favorite albums or bands as well, so its really cool some of you are doing that. As a bonus, I'm going to try and address that feedback so we can get a dialog up and rolling. If all works well, everyone gets the chance to discuss some great music, and more importantly discover something new. And that goes for me as well; there is way too much music out there for one man to get everything, and I've been doing this for more than a quarter century!

Don't let the age fool you though. I was at the Tyranny and Bloodshred show (Arch Enemy and Dark Tranquility) and definitely proved I can hold my own – A couple dudes that thought they could cut in front of me probably felt their ribs for a couple of days. Do NOT try to push past the big guy who showed up early to stand up front. He might just be me.

Also, small venues for concerts rock. You shop up early and stay late – Hang at the bar and BAM – You meet various band members and get some swag signed. Including a drop stick from Arch Enemy's set. Kick Ass!!!

Enough showing off – Lets get to it.


Tales from the Pit
Reader Feedback



First in we have music zone head honcho (do people even say that anymore?) Mitch Michaels:

A history of thrash column this week and no plug for my review of the "Metallica & The Dawn Of Thrash" DVD? I thought we were tight man!

Well, no… I want them to read about thrash here!!!

Oh… All right. Here it is: Metallica & The Dawn Of Thrash" DVD

Seriously, sounds like a decent unauthorized look at Metallica and by default the underground thrash scene. Like Mitch, I'm a music history junkie (I bet everyone is SO surprised by that), so I'll probably eBay this bad boy at some point.



Next is someone with a real name. Yea! I'm not the only one. Paul Smith said:

Great article Dan. Agree about Skolnick, never gets the attention he deserves as Testament never really crossed over to the mainstream like the other "big four". Rust in Peace is awesome too, Freidman's solo in Tornado of Souls is fucking immense.

Thanks man. Testament was like many "second tier" bands in the thrash scene that they developed quite the following within the metal community, but never hit the point to become a house hold name (so to speak). Time has been good to the guys however, as many of those bands still tour and record today. In fact, they have become minor legends in our genre in their own right. Rock on to metal justice.

Friedman just kicks ass. I cannot imagine why he went to Japan to start a hair-band like career. I'm glad he's happy and doing his thing, a rare thing indeed for people in the music business, but oh man what a waste. The man can just rip a song apart.



Andrew Crow is up next (Is that your actual name? That rocks):

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the last three Exodus albums (Tempo of the Damned, Shovel Headed Kill Machine, and The Atrocity Exhibition-Exhibit A). I think they're three of the band's best albums, personally, next to Fabulous Disaster ("The Last Act of Defiance," the title track, the legendary "Toxic Waltz," the amazing "Cajun Hell"...it's so lovely).

Also...yeah, diagreeing with you entirely regarding South of Heaven being Slayer's best. There's a reason so many point to Reign in Blood: it's flawless. It's everything thrash, and extreme metal in general, is meant to be: bone-crushingly brutal, dissonant, and aurally confusing. South of Heaven is just...too slow, man.

I'm woefully behind on the last decade of Exodus material. I've heard a few songs from their last album and wasn't to impressed, but honestly I didn't get the chance to give it a solid listen. A friend owned Tempo of the Damned and that one sounded real good. It's on the list to pick up. Oh man that is a long list though. Seriously, that list is like a small binder with each page dedicated to one letter of the alphabet. Double sided on a few! Moral of the story – I haven't gotten their yet. I'd be curious to hear more of your thoughts. I prioritise albums based on feedback, reviews from those I trust, and of course the mighty bargain bin :)

Reign In blood is indeed a great album. The thing about me is that I'm a sucker for a deep riff that goes crunch, thus my love for traditional doom. Candlemass FTW! Basically, everything by Slayer through the early 90's smokes massive amounts of collateral damage – I just happen to dig South of Heaven more simply because I like the methodic thrash wrapped crush of the riffs. I fully expect to be in the minority on this one.



Krunchy is back with more metal wisdom (his comments are editied down a bit to keep things succinct):


Oh God, don't wanna piss off the Slayer fans. Actually I thought Seasons in the Abyss is their best album, combining the best parts of Reign in Blood and South of Heaven. I tend to even play it more than Reign in Blood. I really like Undisputed Attitude too, although it's not REALLY a Slayer album.

Agreed on the combo nature of Seasons. that's a good one that sees a lot of play as well.

People would also likely get pissed when you say something like "just cause it's influential doesn't mean it's good!" so that is my statement on Possessed. Lalonde is a great guitarist as you can occasionally hear when you listen to Primus.

Lalonde is a great guitarist. I think a lot of really good guitarists got buried in the wave of thrash bands and a sea of poor production from that time.

And I just simply tell people that I respect an album, but I like XYZ better. That's just me. I've noticed that if I give a person a chance to state their case they end up happily talking away trying sell everyone on their opinion. It's a great ice breaker actually. Music really is a force to join people.

Testament's new CD is pretty good if you like Testaments 1990's stuff. Much heavier than Legacy and Practice What You Preach. Might get some new fans their way.

My God, just looking over this list and just about every band on it had a GREAT guitarist. I think it might be harder to find really good metal bands with guitarists that suck!!

I should be out after the holiday to pick it up. I'll probably grab the new Kataklysm as well. My co-workers will be clearing the office after hours I suspect.

Funny thing, there is a historical precedent for some good metal bands with guitarists that suck.

It's called punk.



Alright, I've pissed enough people off. On with the feature!




Thrash Metal Part 1: East Coast Thrash

Last week we covered the rise and fall of thrash metal, and during that process covered the specifics of the Bay Area thrash scene. If you missed it, you can heck it out HERE. From its early days as a punk/NWOBHM derivative with extra helpings of aggression and technical performing, to its eventual collapse as the bands went commercial or groove, thrash became the face of heavy metal and dominated the scene in the 80's. Even today we look back and see those years through the bands that were thrash staples. The Bay Area scene for thrash was the most popular form of thrash, with the likes of Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and even fan favorite second tier acts like Exodus coming from the land of the golden bridge. But that was only one scene with one kind of sound, while thrash grew to reflect other regional influences and inspire bands for years to come. America's east coast was another such region, and the New York thrash (or East Coast thrash) scene would also produce some great bands. The only non-Bay Area band in "The Big Four" would come from this style of music (Anthrax), plus one of thrashes earliest bands (who are still going strong) would also come from this scene. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

New York thrash is distinctive from the Bay Area sound in that the music places a greater emphasis on punk and hard core influences, including more speed and aggression. As thrash itself progressed the New York scene didn't necessarily follow the trend in increased technical playing either. This is, of course, a generalization of the sound and exceptions naturally exist (Toxik comes to mind with their almost prog like thrash slam attack). The obvious example is to compare Metallica to Anthrax. They're both thrash, but there is a difference that is obvious if you listen to them.

If you are familiar with the history of rock, and more specifically punk music, you know that New York had a huge punk scene – The largest outside of Britain at the time. That club and bar scene would seriously embed itself into the music culture of the time, and ultimately have a great influence on the new burgeoning metal scene. Overkill is the classic example of this, actually starting out as a punk cover band before evolving into on of the earliest thrash bands.



Ironically, despite the East Coast scene never reaching the same level of success as the Bay Area, it was just as influential. In fact, an argument could be made for it having an even greater influence. Hardcore made a major dent into metal by the late 90's, and even metalcore owes its evolution to that as much as thrash. A lot of bands are citied as influences for those styles of metal, but ultimately here was ground zero for the genesis of hardcore sounds and the crossover bands that popularized it.

And before I continue, I need to make an admission. Consider it truth in advertising. I'm not as big into this scene as the Bay Area or the German one. I've never been a big punk fan (outside one or two bands I wouldn't turn off) so punk and its prodigal son hardcore is something that usually doesn't work for me. That's why you never see me highlighting metalcore bands or modern hardcore/metal bands when I did "The Set List" or "Forgotten Classics". In fact, if you removed Overkill from the equation the albums I own would be rather anemic. But I own a shit-load of Overkill as they represent things well. The bottom line for this column is that there are fewer albums than the previous one because of this. And a few album I will mention I wouldn't exactly put in the same league either, but I'm including them because they are either good or at least fun, and I wanted to do you the justice of representing this music scene well. While this is an opinion column, the function of this series of columns is also informative.

That being said, your mileage may (and most likely will) vary from mine, but I hope you enjoy some of these fast bruisers…









Toxik - World Circus

This really departs the lands and can be considered straight on speed metal – Throw in some falsetto shrieks (King Diamond would be proud), some very technical riff work, stunning leads, and a song structure that veres out of control between everything 80's metal had to offer – The British Invasion, speed, thrash, punk, power, whatever man, Did I mention the speed. Damn, this just smokes on so many cylinders you can't help but see this as a thinking mans East Coast mash-up. About my only complaint (besides the high yelps from the lead singer that sometimes grate on me) is how the songs really start to blend like a mosh pit in a high speed blender. But truly, there is some great guitar work here and solid complex song construction hiding in the middle of the Friday night bar fight.













S.O.D. - Speak English Or Die


Oh yes… the mighty Stormtroopers Of Death. Part thrash car crash, part punk speed destroyer, and more high frequency testosterone than the FCC permits; a "Super group" of folks from Nuclear Assault, Anthrax, and M.O.D. that is just a ridiculous amount of fun. Don't tell me you didn't listen to "The Ballad of Jimi Hendrix" and crack a smile. Considering the run time, you probably did it several times. This is basically Anthrax fully crossed over into full blown hardcore several minutes at a time. Riffs fire like machine gun shells without the bottom end (chainsaw?). A demented novelty album that pulls out the serious moshing just enough to make you by the hype – Something every metal fan should hear at least one. The "Anti-Procrastination Song" says it all…

Honestly, I wish they would have combined half of these tracks with the other half. Then the real good guitar work would have had the breathing room to go some place. But then again, you would have ended up with someone like Nuclear Assault if you did that (go figure since the dude is in the band), so mission accomplished on what is essentially a record that captures the spirit while keeping tongue firmly in cheek.

Reissued in 2000 by Megaforce Records with bonus tracks from the studio and live tracks from a Tokyo show; I'm still trying to wrap my brain around this being played live.










Whiplash - Power and Pain

Less thrash, more full blown speed metal. In fact, there is a strong melodic string of leads and solos that re completely melodic – Their just played incredibly fast. This just crashes and bashes through traditional metal, power metal influences, and of course the crank of punk crashing around. Honestly, I think the solid solo work makes this worth the spin alone. Sadly, I also think the production makes this a high speed mash that blends the songs, doing the band a disservice because there is a solid metal album hiding under the ruckus. There is also an evil and dark underbelly to this aggression that implies punks answer to Sodom or Possessed. Fun album.













M.O.D. - U.S.A. for M.O.D.

Oh my, Billy Milano of S.O.D. fame gets his own act and it's basically a hardcore version of Anthrax. Or S.O.D. being done slightly more serious on everything but detail and content. Sure, the music rips but the same song lengths and joke lyrics prevail as it did on Speak English or Die, and yes I can't really take a second album of it 100% serious. But I should because this does have some fine underpinnings if I find myself in that rare hardcore groove like mood – especially sense thrash still props up this crazy album. I n fact, this has more thrash per pound then that former album while still maintaining it's hardcore crossover label. That's a lot of heavy hitting you at high speeds! If you find yourself liking east coast thrash or even hardcore music this is worth a spin. Have a few drinks first, however…












Anthrax - Spreading the Disease

Anthrax as mosh metal masters turns the beast into a rabid animal, literally spreading the disease at high levels of slashing axe work that drills more like industrial equipment than slays as a weapon of muse. This is the bands sophomore release but the debut of singer Joey Belladonna, and things go into high speed aggravated assault. One of the more interesting aspects of this punk/thrash creature is that there is a third element hiding deep underneath the caffeine – High levels of NWOBHM that real begets power metal inclinations. It's hard to get at first, as it comes off as a texture, but Belladonna's atypical vocal approach (not the typical bark or growl) is what made me finally see it. Also, this really breaks away from thrash under the hood at times thanks to some very sincere punk and hard rock undertones. Sure, they hit you over the head with it most of the time at 100+ MPH but its there. This is a fascinating facet of thrash – The levels depth a simple riff structure can have when built upon other influences.

Oh boy, all that analysis and everyone will think I'm calling Anthrax some kind of progressive innovator; that they are not by a long shot. It's just that there is more going on under the hood if you stop to check the engine out, and it gives this speed ball shred fest plenty of hook to add to the hangover. Seriously – Skip the latte, Starbucks should serve this instead.








Nuclear Assault - Game Over

I've often joked that this is thrash's answer to Suicidal Tendencies. Obviously a bit of a joke, but the imagery does help show how this is an example of a band that really crosses over into hardcore territory. Another punk/metal speed ball fest, but the distinguishing factor is the truly innovating riffs and guitar work. And that is truly the essence of this album – Stripped down no nonsense riffs that are sent screaming at you at about 256 bpm. Did I mention this album is hyperfast? Getting a bead on what helps make the New York sound unique? Well, there is some more mid-paced songs and weird interludes spread out, some of it coming across as filler, but I suppose a hardcore fan would call it a fine break to keep you from tearing your neck apart during the tracks that crank. Another group with high yelp vocals as well, combined with the weird tracks makes this a bit disjointed for me – BUT there is no denying the hefty guitar work and hunting prowess that lurks behind these idiosyncrasies. Call it an album I highly respect but rarely play








Overkill - Horrorscope

over•kill

Pronunciation: \ō-vər-kil\
Function: transitive verb
Date: 1957
Definition: To obliterate (a target) with more nuclear force than required

If this band would have gotten their shit together for their first release a little faster, I'm a firm believer we could be talking about "The Big Five" of thrash. Seriously, what early Overkill lacks in finesse, they sure in the hell make up for in outright riff work. They just rip the house down and build a new one from the gutter ten ways from Sunday, performance matching the spirit of this style at every corner.

Spirit? Well, yes. Some bands can give you a deep rotted impression of the very spirit of the sound they bring to the table. This is the musical equivalent of sincerity. Let me explain how this relates to Overkill with an illustration. Pretend you are hanging out at the bar with some buddies and drinking. One group of friends comes up with something stupid you should do, and then badgers you to do it. "Come on man! It'll be soooooo cool", they would say. You know the type of friends I mean. The second group of friends will try to be the rational type: "No man – You'll just get in trouble and end up in jail. You're wife will be pissed man!" You end up doing it anyway and get you ass tossed into jail, where you wake up with a raging hangover. The first group laughs at you, while the other group still is a good friend and gets bail for you.

Overkill is the one friend sitting next to you in jail and he says "That rocked – Let's do it again!!!"

D.D. and Blitz have created an institution that runs even onto today, even if some of the thrash has been replaced by groove. But man, there run through the 80's and the beginning of the 90's absolutely kicks major thrash ass. In many ways, they are the atypical east coast thrash band for me – Even if Anthrax fans everywhere would disagree. Underneath the punk like bark and machine press riffing there is some mighty fine guitar construction, and in many ways I consider Overkill one of the most unheralded thrash bands for it – Especially considering they continued to find success after they abandoned pure thrash for groove in the 90's.

As for Horrorscope, this is my take on my favorite Overkill album, but honestly go ask ten fans of the band and you might just get as many answers. Actually, most might pick Years of Decay, and it's hard to argue that point. I will just say all the 80's output is solid and worth a spin.

Horrorscope sees the band evolving their New York thrash sound into tighter and more complex terrain while still maintaining their 80's thrash attack – Now it's more like an All Terrain Vehicle that just keeps running over you. D.D. still brings the backbone, adding in my opinion more underneath the sound this time while Bobby's voice finds its growl. This is tighter, heavier, a new sense of purpose, almost gravitas as if the band realizes their growing stature. There is a chug and crunch to this that seems new with viral purpose. Add to it some dark undertones and you have a winner. The title track alone crunches with enough killing purpose to put the rest of the east coast on notice, the Alpha male is in the house!

Yes, I'm a sucker for a methodical riff that just slowly crushes everything with brute force. But Overkill still packs the fast pace and thrash roar when need to be – It just now services the higher purpose of song construction. Hell yea.




Encore

Well, there you have it. A look at some of the best albums New York thrash through at us. If you need a place to start, I recommend some Overkill – You really can't go wrong with their 80's material; from there check out Anthrax before exploring some of the more extreme edges. Join us next week when we cross the Atlantic and check out the German thrash scene. Oh yea, the "Unholy Trinity" of German metal baby. Some real good stuff coming back at you in seven.




Final Thoughts

Don't forget to join in with some of your favorites below – Mosh Pits are for everyone, just not my elitist at large opinion. Keep it real and always play on 10.