Who would you pick as 5th "Big Four" band? (Big Five)

[scriptphase]

Testament in the Big 4 instead of Anthrax. Testament is the most consistent band out of the lot and the one I have the most respect for.

No way, but respect your avatar....LOL!

Did you live in K-Town? I was there from 85-88 and lived in Otterberg.

LOL! Rote Teufel! So cool...it's a small world. Lived in K-Town from '09 to '11, just outside the Vogelweh gate. My wife and I were both DoD civilians. She worked on Vogelweh and I worked on Landstuhl. Had to come back home as she would've lost her return rights to Holloman, but we both would've preferred to stay longer. Good, good times living in Germany. Traveled a ton, the people were great, the Rhineland is beautiful, and there was always a fest incoming or a reason to celebrate. My wife and I would love to go back.

 

[romanianreaper]

LOL! Rote Teufel! So cool...it's a small world. Lived in K-Town from '09 to '11, just outside the Vogelweh gate. My wife and I were both DoD civilians. She worked on Vogelweh and I worked on Landstuhl. Had to come back home as she would've lost her return rights to Holloman, but we both would've preferred to stay longer. Good, good times living in Germany. Traveled a ton, the people were great, the Rhineland is beautiful, and there was always a fest incoming or a reason to celebrate. My wife and I would love to go back.

Awesome man! I went to high school at KAHS so used to walk to Vogelweh to eat. LOL! My dad was Army. I graduated in 88' from there and haven't been back but miss it. I can't remember, but may have stayed on Holloman when I was in the Air Force driving thru. Is that off of I-10?

 

[paulyc]

I can’t believe so many pick Testament over Exodus ! This blows my mind !

 

[zodiactone]

I was never a huge anthrax fan, but (like many others) I think it should be Testament and Exodus.

 

[romanianreaper]

I can’t believe so many pick Testament over Exodus ! This blows my mind !

I think it is probably just a case of who people got into first. I heard "Trial By Fire" and was instantly into them, although wasn't as big of a fan as Metallica, etc. For some reason, I thought Exodus was death metal. I think it was seeing the album covers as a teen. I just didn't think I'd like the music.

Hey, the benefit is being able to go back and revisit all of these great albums since there isn't a lot of great new music these days.

 

[paulyc]

I don’t get the anti Anthrax thing either, I loved those early albums, soundtrack to my misspent youth ! Lol

 

[Shask]

For bands that I like, I would go against the trend here and say Sepultura.

However, as most people have said, Testament or Exodus would probably be the "right" answer.

 

[JMP2203]

Annihilator over Exodus, Overkill or Anthrax anytime

 

[Corrundum1]

Exodus, Testament or Suicidal Tendencies, Nuclear Assault or Death Angel

 

[ke2]

Testament for me. I've listened more to them than any of the others, for a longer time.
Have had periods of being bored with Anthrax and Megadeth, Anthrax also had some albums that didn't wow me... I think the Bush-era is boring, except for a few songs.
Metallica peaked in '91. Testament have been grooving all along, and didn't compromise. Neither did Slayer.

 

[moltisanti]

Anthrax were nothing for me, possibly a couple of years later but the 4th band from the big four has to be PANTERA.

Followed by Sepultura.

 

[romanianreaper]

Anthrax were nothing for me, possibly a couple of years later but the 4th band from the big four has to be PANTERA.

Followed by Sepultura.

Oooooo, that is actually a good one! The crazy thing is that Pantera were buddies with all of the Big 4 dudes so that would have been a perfect fit.

 

[Speeddemon]

Listen to Another Lesson in Violence live my friend, that is a lesson you won't soon forget...

"This ain't the Arsenio Hall show! Destroy something!"
I friggin' love that album.
And I prefer Baloff over Souza by a mile.

I would second Testament though for the #4 spot (buh-bye Anthrax) and #5 Overkill, due to a more consistent style and output.

Honorable mentions for Kreator (by far my fave thrash band when I was in high school) and Sepultura, whose "Beneath the Remains" and "Arise" albums are also some of my faves.
Forbidden was cool, but more in the technical speed/thrash camp than what would suit the Big 4 IMHO. By that logic Toxik, Agent Steel, Heathen, EvilDead would also deserve a spot for musical quality. Of course album sales tell a different story.

 

[Rock Bodom]

Anthrax were nothing for me, possibly a couple of years later but the 4th band from the big four has to be PANTERA.

Followed by Sepultura.

Oooooo, that is actually a good one! The crazy thing is that Pantera were buddies with all of the Big 4 dudes so that would have been a perfect fit.

I agree, Pantera's a great callout. I think the groove metal label kind of fits better than pure thrash, but I've always considered them on the same metal "list" overall. They kept the heavy going in the early 90's when a lot of bands were starting to lose some direction (or trying to change in ways I didn't dig).

I went from the Big 4 pretty much overnight to Pantera being at the top when I first heard Cowboys.

And I'll say it again...you guys are brutal on Anthrax

 

[sytharnia1560]

I don't think Pantera can even be considered for the big 4 given their first 4 albums were "glam" and it wasn't until 1990 that they released a "thrashy" album. The BIG 4 doesn't mean the "best" 4, it represents a birth of a new style of music...and Exodus should be in there

 

[thegame]

I'm surprised so many right winger Rig-Talkers are For Biden in this thread

 

[romanianreaper]

I'm surprised so many right winger Rig-Talkers are For Biden in this thread

LOL!!! Dude, took me awhile to catch that one.

 

[romanianreaper]

I don't think Pantera can even be considered for the big 4 given their first 4 albums were "glam" and it wasn't until 1990 that they released a "thrashy" album. The BIG 4 doesn't mean the "best" 4, it represents a birth of a new style of music...and Exodus should be in there

You know another thing is, how much of the Big 4 is the connection between the bands? Dave being in Metallica, Anthrax helping Metallica out and being on the MOP tour, etc.? Slayer is in by sheer thrash credentials and keeping it up so long. Obviously all of the bands wavered a bit here and there and were hardly thrash by the end.

 

[maddnotez]

Obviously everyone recognizes that it should absolutely be Testament.

I would also remove Anthrax and add Exodus. I personally could never get into Anthrax, before my time I guess and they weren't heavy enough or thrashy enough for me to get into them later. Have also seen them live and wasn't into it.

SOD on the other hand was badass to me.

 

[Markedman]

Obviously everyone recognizes that it should absolutely be Testament.

I would also remove Anthrax and add Exodus. I personally could never get into Anthrax, before my time I guess and they weren't heavy enough or thrashy enough for me to get into them later. Have also seen them live and wasn't into it.

SOD on the other hand was badass to me.

I like Pantera better than the 4 but I don't think they should be in the 4.

Exodus was great but Testament is much better all around. Think about it for a minute, Eric beats out Humholt for rhythm guitar, Alex shreds Gary Holt, Gene is amazing on drums, Chuck can bring it. Testament is better music and they have better albums than Exodus.

I could name 10 bands I would rather hear than Anthrax, and so could you!

Kreator
Overkill
Supultura
Testament
Exodus
Vio-lence
Merciful Fate
Savatage
Death
Death Angel