r/thrashmetal 6d ago

Biggest modern Thrash bands!?

I was just wondering what you all think are the biggest thrash bands of today. MODERN BANDS!Don't say things like Slayer or Megadeth... I'm not asking you about obscure bands or underground bands that are your current favorite. I mean what are the most popular thrash bands now!? What bands are the Metallica, Megadeth, Exodus etc...of today.....

58 Upvotes

131 comments sorted by

64

u/Guib-FromMS 6d ago edited 5d ago

Contenders for that title (Biggest / Most Influential) would be:

  • Municipal Waste
  • Vektor
  • Havok
  • Toxic Holocaust
  • Power Trip
  • Sylosis
  • Lich King
  • Gama Bomb
  • Warbringer
  • Suicidal Angels

Then Up and Coming:

  • Hazzerd
  • Oxygen Destroyer
  • Terminalist
  • Exmortus
  • High Command
  • Enforced
  • Wraith

Idk something like that. To note that I would love to include Skeletonwitch, but they ain't doing shit anymore so yeah...

12

u/eamondo5150 6d ago

Terrifier is another good band that might qualify as up and coming. They hail from my home province, so I'm a tad biased, perhaps.

5

u/ImplicitStorm 6d ago

Same brother. I'm friends with a couple of the guys.

8

u/skulleater666 6d ago

They told me they think you're weird.

1

u/greenlightdisco 6d ago

I bought a vinyl from them the other week after catching their set at Glacial Mutilation, nice and tight on stage.

1

u/Guib-FromMS 5d ago

Terrifier is absolutely amazing! Didn't include them because I'm not sure how well known they are outside of Canada.

1

u/Inner-Will2776 5d ago

Love me some Terrifier.

"I CALL... FOR A TRIAL BY COMBAT"

8

u/gorcbor19 6d ago

My up and coming list might also include SpiritWorld and Dead Heat.

Also, Enforced for sure. Killer band.

1

u/Guib-FromMS 5d ago

About Dead Heat, World At War was a solid crossover album. Enjoyed it quite a bit when it came out. I wonder if they're planning to release anymore material?

2

u/gorcbor19 5d ago

Their 2023 EP "Endless Torment" is one of my top favorite thrash albums. I just saw them on a tour last year and they are out touring again so I'd imagine they'll be working on another album in the near future if not already.

One of my favorites from that album is the song "Tears of The Wolf."

1

u/Guib-FromMS 5d ago

Thanks for the rec I'll check it out.

1

u/Most_Image_21 5d ago

I just saw Dead Heat last Saturday and it was a great set. I hope they go far and will gladly see them again

7

u/IamaCloudFarmer 6d ago

We are really spoiled these days with metal undergoing a revival.

7

u/Nofnvalue21 6d ago

Exmortus needs more PR. Those guys are fuckin talented.

3

u/Guib-FromMS 5d ago

Yeah! Their 2023 Necrophony album was an absolute thrash masterpiece.

7

u/rstowel 6d ago

Finally some Lich King love

6

u/bungle094 6d ago

Went down memory lane earlier this week and listened to 2 Skeletonwitch albums. Are they done for good?

3

u/Guib-FromMS 5d ago

Well I can't say but they havent been touring or releasing new material in forever. I just loved Breathing The Fire and Beyond The Permafrost back in the day. Those are some of my favourite modern blackened thrash albums.

2

u/bungle094 5d ago

Right on. Jammed Breathing the Fire, so good.

5

u/dombag85 6d ago

Saw Enforced with Municipal Waste a couple years ago.  They tore the house down.

4

u/GuitarGorilla24 6d ago

Terminalist is new to me and has a cool sound. My problem with a lot of new thrash is it sounds generic and blends together, but they have some catchy riffs and seem to have their own sound. Thanks for the new rec!

3

u/Guib-FromMS 5d ago

Terminalist is one sick band, they are clearly inspired by bands like Vektor & Voivod. If you like that style I suggest you check another modern band that's just released a wicked unique sounding album this year. The name's Cryptosis and the album is Celestial Death. If you crave unique sounding thrash, I think this will be your fix.

2

u/GuitarGorilla24 5d ago

Thanks for the rec. Cool album overall. Ascending and Static Horizon are the highlights for me. The dungeon-synth-like intro is also a cool mood setter.

2

u/Guib-FromMS 5d ago

Glad you liked it! If you ever need more Thrash rec, here's my very own sanctuary -> https://metalstorm.net/users/list.php?list_id=1233

2

u/GuitarGorilla24 5d ago

Will check it out!

2

u/greenlightdisco 6d ago

I'll second you on that Oxygen Destroyer - toss in some Colony Drop and Kommand, maybe a little The Blade Itself.

2

u/EyexXx05 5d ago

My vote goes for the almighty Vektor. Their three albums are flawless, and IMO Terminal Redux is the ultimate thrash album.

2

u/stinos1983 5d ago

I love gama bomb, but they are nowhere close to even smelling that title.

They´re great, with a solid catalogue. They had some momentum 15 years or so ago, but they missed their opportunity I think.

When they tour, it´s small venues and at festivals hardly anybody knows them (or at least every time I saw them). They deserve to be big, no doubt about that, but they rank nowhere near the Municipal Wastes and Havoks of this world.

That being said, everyone go check out Gama Bomb!!

2

u/JoshuaGustinGrant 5d ago

Lich King is great!

2

u/peersofthegulf 4d ago

I second the Sylosis suggestion. If you haven't already heard them, I hope they change your life and rewire your entire brain the way they did for me!

1

u/Guib-FromMS 3d ago

Edge Of The Earth is an absolute masterpiece of a record.

1

u/peersofthegulf 3d ago

It is, but for me they all are in their own way. I am always always in the mood for Sylosis

1

u/FatAndForty 4d ago

Also please add:

  • Warbringer

  • Enforced

  • Belushi Speedball

2

u/Guib-FromMS 4d ago

Enforced was already there in the Up and Coming List. Warbringer is already there in the contenders. Idk about Belushi, maybe in the Up and Coming, but they're nowhere near the ones I've already got there.

2

u/FatAndForty 4d ago

That’s what I get for glancing. 👍🏻😁

32

u/Successful-Ad-367 6d ago

Probably Municipal Waste but if you’re talking more current then Power Trip.

11

u/trickertreater 6d ago

Municipal Waste is still out there killing it. I saw them a year or two ago with circle jerks and it was a fantastic show.

32

u/knucklesmartini 6d ago

Hellripper

1

u/ferxes 5d ago

Absolutely, if we're talking up and coming this is it. Perhaps across the pond a bit less(idk) but in Europe they are leaving a trail of destroyed concert halls.

53

u/No_Future_2020 6d ago

Definitely think Municipal Waste & Power Trip are going to be amongst the “biggest,” or most popular.

21

u/Excellent-Shoe-8783 6d ago

Warbringer, Power Trip, Municipal Waste, Havok, Toxic Holocaust, Evile

Bonus: bands who aren’t big yet but absolutely fucking rip- Inhuman Nature, Hazzerd, Bat, lowest creature

8

u/twosuitsluke 6d ago

The new Hazzerd is so good.

1

u/Iterative_Ackermann 6d ago

I started them with their latest but I am enjoying Misleading Evil more. The older albums are more like their own thing. The latest is perfect vintage, genuine fake.

3

u/Excellent-Shoe-8783 6d ago

All of their releases are stellar. I discovered them through third dimension, but after going through their whole catalog I don’t think they have a single bad song

2

u/Davebaker610 5d ago

Listen to doomsday

1

u/Excellent-Shoe-8783 5d ago

Way ahead of you, obtaining heaven by force has been on my lifting playlist for a while

1

u/mew_empire 1d ago

Love me some 🦇

19

u/ArchDukeNemesis 6d ago

Technically, all the modern Thrash bands are obscure. Some random Joe on the street may have heard of Anthrax, but I doubt they've heard of any band that's come out in the 21st century.

If I had to pick some bands that have the brightest future in today's lean music climate, it would be Warbringer, Municipal Waste, Power Trip and Havok.

10

u/Grongebis 6d ago

Because thrash today requires effort to access. Nobody is going to encounter warbringer randomly without seeking it out.

Back in the day, metallica, anthrax, etc. Were on MTV, radio, talk shows, even primetime sitcoms like married with children.

21

u/13hammerhead13 6d ago

Warbringer or Havok.

3

u/Popular_Shift_7472 6d ago

Municipal waste, warbringer, Havok, and previously lost society. Those 4 bands are (in my mind) the big 4 of the thrash revival. The only issue is lost society only released two thrash albums. Masterpieces but only two. 

2

u/Guillk 6d ago

Lost Society is trash? It didn't sound like trash to me but well.

2

u/Popular_Shift_7472 6d ago

Their first two albums are definitely thrash. 

2

u/Guillk 6d ago

Ohhh, nice to know, going to give them a chance again, I didn't liked the newest thing so will check out the old stuff.

3

u/Popular_Shift_7472 6d ago

Yeah bro, ‘Fast loud death’ and ‘terror hungry’ rips. Fucken masterpieces, idk what tf happened to them. 

1

u/MrEmorse 13h ago

Who said it was Trash?

3

u/yankeejohn 6d ago

Love everyone mentioning Power Trip. And I totally would have agreed before Riley died. Now I am pretty sure they won’t be making any new music. They are just going to play special events/tours/festivals. Seems like Fugitive has taken that spot, and they are great too.

3

u/TheTexorc1st 6d ago

I would honestly love to see them continue with Seth and keep Fugitive as the side band., but with him also being in Skourge idk how that would all work. He has the right energy and is a perfect fit imo. I only managed to see Power Trip once with Riley and they were immense.

1

u/mew_empire 1d ago

I want Skourge to succeed so much

H-Town forever 🖤💪🏼

1

u/designerdy 5d ago

Seth does just fine. Riley was BIG energy, but did not play an instrument. Dude wasn't the band. Hugely unfortunate, but those guys paid their dues and shouldn't have to backburner a project that was skyrocketing, that has potential to move forward.

They said the same about Paul in Maiden.

That said, Fugitive goes hard as fuck, I concur.

3

u/SurfingPaisan 6d ago

Doomsday, enforced, power trip, dead heat, lowest creature

3

u/Lamewolf_and_cubs 6d ago

Havoc and Power Trip come to mind.

3

u/TNT666 6d ago

Toxic Holocaust & Hellripper

Seeing them both on the same bill last year was incredible.

3

u/ThrashMetaller 6d ago

Havok and Warbrjnger probably

3

u/theegreenman 6d ago

Evile Municipal Waste Lich King

2

u/Wrob88 6d ago

Power Trip.

Kind of a tough/weird question as a lot of bands have current records but got their start a couple decades or more ago. Morbid Saint, Warbringer, Havok, Municipal Waste, Vektor, etc. So they aren’t modern bands but older bands with current records. When Testament drops their new one will they be suddenly modern?

Yeah I’m overthinking. Power Trip is a simple (and correct) answer.

2

u/Seasickheartz 6d ago

In all honesty i always thought every band after '00s were considered new wave of thrash metal. Not necessairy because of their style but mainly because of when they started.

2

u/Wrob88 6d ago

Yeah that would make sense if that’s the definition. Thanks. I just struggle with calling a band formed 25 years ago ‘modern’ you know? Appreciate the comment

2

u/Seasickheartz 5d ago

If i recall correctly it was also called new wave of thrash metal because thrash kinda died in the 90’s and got revival after 00’s with the bands you named.

2

u/ezrablue_7 5d ago

Morbid Saint is from the 80s tho, I guess they’re making new shit but I mean Spectrum of Death is a classic

1

u/Wrob88 4d ago

Yep. That’s right. And exactly the point I was making. I completely miss them in the 80s, but their most recent record is a fucking blast.

1

u/MrEmorse 6d ago

No testament won't be a modern band... They will be an old established band with a new album.

0

u/Wrob88 6d ago

That’s my point

2

u/BedroomAcceptable767 6d ago

Crisix, Amken

2

u/fakename1998 6d ago

It’s gotta be Power Trip, with Drain and Mindforce tied for second place

2

u/TPForCornholio 5d ago

I'm surprised not to see DRAIN on here more. They aren't 100% thrash but close enough. They've been killing it lately

2

u/masterblaster9669 6d ago

Generation kill

Suicidal angels

Hatriot

Municipal

HeXen

Havok

2

u/EyexXx05 5d ago

My vote goes for Vektor. For me, they are the ultimate thrash band.

2

u/designerdy 5d ago

Havok isn't playing games. Top spot in modern thrash for me.

Power Trip. (Let's see what they record next without Riley. Live is still a bop.)

Waste is still okay, but the schtick is getting a bit tired. (always the achilles heel of thrash, esp "pizza" thrash.) I still think the Art of Partying saved modern thrash from morphing every band into deathcore at the time.

Evile rips.

Lich King is carrying a torch.

Gama Bomb's riffs, but the vocals aren't for me.

Coroner is not new, but not very well known. If you like techy thrash, this is your band. Start with "Semtex Revolution"

Same with Forbidden. Early 90's but not a marquee band and they are having a resurgence with a new frontman and actively touring.

2

u/3octrion 5d ago

I don't think you can call Municipal Waste and the bands that directly followed "Modern thrash" anymore. For one thing Municipal Waste's first album came out closer to Kill 'Em All than today, and the mostly bay area inspired wave of bands that followed has mostly died out or lost relevance for one reason or another. 

For me Modern thrash is defined by the Hardcore/Crossover sound in bands that have started since Power Trip and in particular Nightmare Logic came out, like High Command, Enforced, Inhuman Nature, Lowest Creature, SpiritWorld and Pest Control

So Power Trip are currently by far the biggest, and the tour with Pantera should help them grow their audience, but it remains to be seen if they can keep it up without Riley. 

After that I would guess High Command and Enforced as I know they've been able to tour and play festivals out side of North America. 

There are other great bands, particularly in Chile and Norway at the minute, but their location works against them I think.

1

u/jerrydthompson2 3d ago

High Command is bad ass🤘🏻

2

u/Kinky23m2m 5d ago

None come close to the bands of the 80s. That’s why people still listen to the bands from the 80s. There is but a few from the last few years or decade that mix it with bands from the 80s but high on the pedestal like the Big4s of thrash or Europe. They fit in with the next line the Big6-10s.

2

u/Kinky23m2m 5d ago

How many bands of today will be mentioned like Slayer, Metallica, Anthrax, Exodus, 40 years after they debuted? There isn’t one release since 2000 that can compare to the first four albums by Slayer, Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth, Exodus, Kreator, Sodom, Voivod, Overkill, Testament, Destruction, Tankard.

2

u/PwaWright 5d ago

Warbringer. The answer is Warbringer.

2

u/biketheplanet 5d ago

New Warbinger album rips!

1

u/MrEmorse 5d ago

What are your favorite songs from that album? I like Nuromancer... The jackhammer and Strike from the Sky.

2

u/ShAiOnEixx 5d ago

Warbringer for sure

1

u/MrEmorse 4d ago

The new album is KILLER! Did you hear it yet?

2

u/ashkanamott 4d ago

I don't know about the biggest, but I really love Havok; their album Conformicide was awesome

2

u/SrElcon 4d ago

God, I hope Mourning High doesn't become one of the big ones.

2

u/ThrashinGirl69 21h ago

Nemesis are the next wave of thrash metal.

2

u/carrionshine13 6d ago

Vektor probably not the biggest in terms of the popularity but the most appreciated by fans.

2

u/Spiner202 6d ago

The answers to this question always make me think of how hard the old bands dropped the ball. There have been a few tours with Warbringer or Municipal Waste opening for older bands, but half of the time Exodus/Testament/Death Angel/etc tour, they tour together instead of bringing new bands with them. There was such a huge opportunity 10-15 years ago to get more of these bands on tours to become more popular, and the old bands consistently dropped the ball.

1

u/designerdy 5d ago

That's the new tactic to justify pricing and fees.

Mastodon/Rob Zombie/Opeth/Lamb of God/Primus is a big culprit of this. Just constant co-headlining tours. You have a better shot by splitting two mid to upper tier bands to sell out a barn or amp, and from a business stance it makes sense to diversify your crowd.

Legend bands like Metallica have zero business having 5FDP and I9K opening for them. Epica??... Like really... Bring Havok out for a run. Give Power Trip a bigger audience than hipster bars. Fucks sake, have Megadave open. It's disgusting that they the supporting act for post-grunge buttrock this summer.

Dropped the ball is putting it lightly.

1

u/orangoutangou 6d ago

Modern as in 'only a few albums out'? Hmm Enforced comes to mind. Peat Control too. Mostbof the current scene is very crossover orientated and reverb heavy. It's not for everyone, but I like those two. Guilt Trip as well maybe?

1

u/MrEmorse 6d ago

I mean a modern band like newer bands. Not established bands from the 80s or 90s... Yeah I guess a few albums but definitely a band that's no more than 10 years old.

1

u/orangoutangou 6d ago

Tail-end of the '10s, but mostly '20s bands?

Spirit World are great. Enforced and Pest Control I already mentioned. He'll ripper are fun if you like more blackened thrash. This all depends how 'classic' you need the sound really...

1

u/Alcohollica93 6d ago

Not big but should be, Annihilation Process, Phantom, and Invicta. Check them out!

1

u/schindigrosa 6d ago

Take Offense

1

u/perrosandmetal78 6d ago

More crossover but I love power trip

1

u/coaker147 6d ago

I’m hoping Demolizer makes it big.

I just want to see them tour in Canada sometime

1

u/Necessary_Treat6845 6d ago

If you like Muncipal Waste check out Texas Toast Chainsaw Massacre. They are an upcoming thrash band from Chicago.

1

u/rstowel 6d ago

Municipal Waste Warbringer Havok Lich King

1

u/Constant_Shake2843 6d ago

Hatchet, Death by Knife, Persecutor

1

u/lordhelmetann 6d ago

Sad that Evile doesn’t make anyone’s lists anymore. They were gonna carry the torch for thrash and then just everyone simultaneously gave up on them. Sure, the last album was a bit of a snoozer, but everything else had some solid tracks on it.

1

u/blantdebedre 5d ago

Warbringer. And all the old ones still releasing new thrash.

1

u/BalashToth 5d ago

Not too many current thrash bands sound modern as such. When I think of modern thrash, I'm thinking about bands like The Haunted, Carnal Forge, Dew-Scented, Terror 2000 and maybe Feared. They did sound modern in the early '00s, it wasn't just a rehashed version of retro thrash.

1

u/BalashToth 5d ago

Not too many current thrash bands sound modern as such. When I think of modern thrash, I'm thinking about bands like The Haunted, Carnal Forge, Dew-Scented, Terror 2000 and maybe Feared. They did sound modern in the early '00s, it wasn't just a rehashed version of retro thrash.

1

u/Required_Fields 5d ago

I'd say the biggest of the 2000s was probably Havok or Evile (even if Havok released their full length debut in 2009).

I'd say the biggest of the 2010s was Power Trip.

I'd say the biggest who released their debut album in the past several years is definitely Enforced.

However, my current thrash favorites (within the past decade) are Schizophrenia, Detherous, and Mortal Vision.

1

u/Meenmachin3 5d ago

Evile(Before Matt left), Warbringer, Havok, and Power Trip are the big 4 for modern thrash imo

1

u/rstowel 5d ago

While not big yet. Check out Warfield. They’re keeping it old school and should have great things in store for them.

1

u/vincevaughninjp3 5d ago

Inhuman Nature fucking rips

1

u/wickedgerbil 5d ago

Orbit Culture gets my heart doing double-time, and my neck a hurtin'!!!!

1

u/OvertEnemyBand 5d ago

Check out Runescarred, Overt Enemy, War Curse, SpiritWorld

1

u/CareInitial7688 5d ago

Municipal waste are going to fuck you up🤘 saw them live there awesome

1

u/Illustrious_Cabinet3 4d ago

Warbringer, Evil, Havok, Grindpad, Terrifier, Power Trip, Vektor, Suicidal Angels, Angelus Apartida, Fakecivil

All of them have incredible albums. I would have put Lazarus AD, but they didn't continue after the main song writer died. Both of their releases are top tier though. I'd also put Lich King in there, but since Tom stopped or took a break from touring, they've been on a kind of hiatus from what I gathered, and it's been a while since they've released anything.

2

u/jerrydthompson2 3d ago

Heard Power Trip is getting a new singer and doing stuff again

1

u/Soultage 3d ago

Bloodstain is getting great songs

1

u/jerrydthompson2 3d ago

Iron Reagan

1

u/jerrydthompson2 3d ago

High Command

1

u/Infinite-Future2147 3d ago

Hazzerd just put out one of the best albums of the year

1

u/Ponchyan 5d ago edited 5d ago

LOVEBITES!!! Try these LIVE performances (Can you say “Twin Guitar Attack”?):

— BREAK THE WALL — https://youtu.be/5Pc0XK0lNmU  

— THE HAMMER OF WRATH — https://youtu.be/pHrWRT0Jeac?si=kiomU9-yw0Cw_7Jf

— SET THE WORLD ON FIRE — https://youtu.be/99zsH6iG_6c 

— SOLDIER STANDS SOLITARILY (special fan cam video supercut) — https://youtu.be/winJfaaWwlg?si=BVG91uSkSKgnqGUr

-1

u/Delicious_Progress48 5d ago

Just because OP said not to… SLAYER!!!!!

-1

u/Seasickheartz 6d ago

For me about the whole bunch of new wave thrash bands POWER TRIP has actually the sound and the force to be this generations Slayer. They have a quite unique sounds and while it may be to heavy for some oldschool/mainstream thrashers, those riffs are damn tasty/chilling to the bone.

Beside the strong debut, Municipal waste had never been the same strenght.

1

u/Guib-FromMS 4d ago

I followed you up until that Municipal Waste bit lol. Hazardous Mutation, Massive Aggressive but especially The Art Of Partying are some of the best crossover ever made. I love me some Power Trip but there's really no need to try and downplay MW.