The Batlord's Thrash Thread (That Is Superior to Wpnfire's)

[The Batlord]

Been listening to a bunch of live thrash albums, cause live thrash is where all the ****ing energy is.

Overkill - Wrecking Your Neck (1995) & Wrecking Everything (2002)

I've already sucked both of these albums dicks enough already, but Overkill are gods and these albums bring all the energy and brutality I could ever hope Overkill would bring to the stage. With a virtually flawless discography the band can pretty much do no wrong with a setlist, though the earlier album does better with a higher number of older songs, but their modern material is so ****ing good that it almost doesn't matter. Quite possibly the bands best two releases and what sent me on my current binge.

Vio-lence - Live @ Slims SF 12/14/2001 (2005)

Not a standalone release, this was a bonus CD from the rerelease of the band's debut, Eternal Nightmare, but as far as I'm concerned it is the best bonus disc any album ever had. A full concert from their short reunion following the Thrash of the Titans concert (which was held to raise money for Chuck Billy of Testament's medical bills when he was diagnosed with cancer) this album is more than just the ****ty recording you'd expect. The production is clear and heavy as ****, and the band is absolutely vicious, producing versions of their classic songs that often rival the recorded versions (the live version of "Kill on Command" is still my all-time fav Vio-lence song, and a GOAT thrash metal song). If you can find the rerelease of the album then it's definitely worth skipping over an original copy just for Live @ Slim's.

Slayer - Decade of Aggression (1991)

Bar none the most famous thrash live album of all-time, so there should be no need for me to introduce it, but as a double-album released at the peak of Slayer's powers, with a track listing to make any fan of Slayer, thrash, and metal *** in their ****ing pants. Currently blasting this album's version of "Jesus Saves" directly into my eardrums, and **** is it awesome, and I'm not even the biggest fan of that song. So, like, go listen to that ****.

D.R.I. - Live at CBGB's 1984

There's honestly not a ****ton to say about this album. If you think DRI got boring around Crossover, when they started diluting their pure thrashcore assault with slower, heavier thrash riffs, well then this is the perfect album for you. Released before that time period this is pretty much all speed, all the time. Some short sections where they slow down to pummel you with a crushing breakdown, but other than that this is pretty much a proto-grind record from a bunch of scuzzy punks out to have as much fun as possible. I'd post a couple individual songs, but they're almost all under two minutes and they all sound the same. So here's the whole damn thing. Best DRI album ever as far as I'm concerned.

But I'm still new to a lot of this ****, and am currently "acquiring" a buttload of new live albums. Next on the chopping block:

Exodus - Good Friendly Violent Fun
Exodus - Another Lesson in Violence
Megadeth - Rust in Peace Live
Megadeth - That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires (douchiest. title. ever.)
Destruction - Live without Sense
Kreator - Live Kreation
Testament - Live at Eindhoven '87
Testament - Live at the Fillmore
Testament - Live in London
Metallica - Metal Up Your Ass
Metallica - Live Shit: Binge & Purge
Metallica - Freeze 'Em All: Live in Antarctica (more for the novelty than anything else)
Dark Angel - Live Scars
Death Angel - Fall from Grace (yeah, I know it's an evil corporate cash grab, but whatevs)
Death Angel - Live @ Rock Hard Festival 2007
Death Angel - Sonic German Beatdown - Live in Germany
The Big Four: Live from Sofia, Bulgaria
Sepultura - Under Siege (Live in Barcelona)

*Bolded: got dat ****.


Totally open to any more suggestions BTW.

[Frownland]

I caught Megadeth on that tour and they were pretty ****ing great, even outdoing Slayer (I like Slayer's music better so they were my favourite of the night, but they def had a weaker show than they could have put on). I'll have to check that live album out.

[The Batlord]

Originally Posted by Frownland

I caught Megadeth on that tour and they were pretty ****ing great, even outdoing Slayer (I like Slayer's music better so they were my favourite of the night, but they def had a weaker show than they could have put on). I'll have to check that live album out.

Really? I've seen Slayer live before, and it's hard to say that they were disappointing, since I had the headache from hell, but it wasn't the life changing experience I was hoping for. I imagine after all these years and probable interband issues that they are not what they were when they did Decade of Aggression. But with Mustaine's voice being what it is these days I find it hard to believe that he wouldn't bring down the band. But I guess if musically they're still on point then some underwhelming vocals wouldn't be the end of the world.

[Frownland]

Originally Posted by The Batlord

Really? I've seen Slayer live before, and it's hard to say that they were disappointing, since I had the headache from hell, but it wasn't the life changing experience I was hoping for. I imagine after all these years and probable interband issues that they are not what they were when they did Decade of Aggression. But with Mustaine's voice being what it is these days I find it hard to believe that he wouldn't bring down the band. But I guess if musically they're still on point then some underwhelming vocals wouldn't be the end of the world.

Mustaine was on point. Slayer was not as intense as I would have liked them, but the crowd was alive (and not to mention, huge) and that makes a big difference.

[The Batlord]

Originally Posted by Frownland

Mustaine was on point. Slayer was not as intense as I would have liked them, but the crowd was alive (and not to mention, huge) and that makes a big difference.

Oh and as a Testament fan you should totally check out the remastered version of the Live at Eindhoven 87 EP. It's now the entire show, the production is ****ing sick, and it's exactly what I was hoping for but never quite got from Testament's first two albums. Massive amounts of energy and ass kicking. It might just cause me to reevaluate my entire opinion of the band.

[grindy]

I have to check all of those out. Thrash really benefits from some live rawness and raw is how I like my thrash.

[The Batlord]

Originally Posted by grindy

I have to check all of those out. Thrash really benefits from some live rawness and raw is how I like my thrash.

Just make sure you get raw. I checked out that Live at the Fillmore Testament album, and aside from the inclusion of some lame 90s Testament, it also seemed a bit tepidly produced, or at least too professionally produced... or something, cause it just went by me in an uninteresting blur. By Live at Eindhoven most definitely delivered what you're looking for.

I would also recommend Destruction's Live without Sense. Schmier's vocals are still a very acquired taste, but the band absolutely ****ing rip. Possibly more than on their actual albums.




And seriously, that Vio-lence album is beyond insane.

[grindy]

I'm pretty sure I checked out at least some of those when I got a whole bunch of thrash recs from you a while ago, but not sure which. I only have access to my all collection and also real internet on weekends lately.

[The Batlord]

1. Your "all collection"?

2. "Real internet"?

[grindy]

Originally Posted by The Batlord

1. Your "all collection"?

2. "Real internet"?

1. Whole collection. Might have had a minor stroke there or something.

2. Like on a computer and through router and ****. As opposed to slow internet on my mobile phone.