Big Five

[MetalRevolutionary49]

With the understanding of The Big Four comprising of Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer and Megadeth, who would be the fifth band of the Big Four of Thrash, so next significant after those mentioned. Personally I would say Testament, I certainly prefer them to any of the Big Four as they're heavier

[BlutAusNerd]

Re: Big Five The "big four" label was not about significance, but record sales. I'm not sure who sold the next most records after those four, but making it a subjective argument would be pointless, as if you were to infer that these four were the four best thrash metal bands would be ridiculous.

[RelentlessOblivion]

Re: Big Five although with the exception of Metallica those bands did produce some of the best thrash albums, Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? Hell Awaits and Spreading The Disease immediately spring to mind, they are all somewhat inconsistent in terms of quality. I feel that inconsistency is fueled by all four bands seeking commercial success over heaviness and that is a move first started by Metallica. I would think either Exodus or Testament would have sold the next most albums and would therefore be the logical additions even though I prefer Overkill to any of the aforementioned bands

[BlutAusNerd]

Re: Big Five High record sales seldom indicate quality. It's not impossible for greatness to be recognized by the masses, but by definition more palatable and "easier to listen to" music sells better than deeper music. Perhaps deeper music could be related to having more specialized tastes, in which a few have a more intimate relationship/understanding with the material, and more mainstream albums could just appeal to more basic sensibilities that are shared, but not necessarily cherished, by many.

[RelentlessOblivion]

Re: Big Five although there have been albums which have acheived commercial success despite not being tailored towards the mainstream audience, Megadeth's Rust In Peace is a good example, it's sold who knows how many copies and yet it is certainly not what one would call an attempt at mainstream metal (that came with Countdown To Extinction). It is possible for an album or band to achieve commercial success without attempting to commercialise their music, it just doesn't happen very often