While 2013 seems to a rather scatter-shot kind of year for many genres, thrash metal seems to still be going at full speed when it comes to upcoming new bands and classic bands continuing their relentless existence. With slightly under 180 albums listened to that could be tagged as thrash in some form or another; my queue this year was a mighty one indeed. The following list required much more thought and deliberation then many years previously and it made for a rather unique one to say the least.
The biggest surprise for this list of best thrash records has to be how many debuts ended up making the cut. Truly, 2013 was the year of the debut for many bands. While the top ten of this list might be made up of mostly tried-n-true acts (it’s hard to believe that Gama Bomb already has four records out), the rest of the list is spattered with newcomers. Bands like Harlott, Panikk, Hell’s Domain, Condition Critical, and Craven Idol seemed intent on making a splash in a generally over-saturated scene with strong performances, slick productions, and thoughtful writing. Enough so that many of the bigger names in the genre ended up missing the top thirty altogether. So without further ado, here is my official list for the year.
TOP THRASH ALBUMS OF 2013:
- Revocation – Revocation
- Essence – Last Night of Solace
- Darkane – The Sinister Supremacy
- Condition Critical – Operational Hazard
- Onslaught – VI
- Gama Bomb – The Terror Tapes
- Chimaira – Crown of Phantoms
- Blood Tsunami – For Faen!
- Destruction – Spiritual Genocide
- Skeletonwitch – Serpents Unleashed
- Warfect – Exoneration Denied
- Death Mechanism – Twenty-First Century
- Hatriot – Heroes of Origin
- Harlott – Origin
- Evile – Skull
- Toxic Holocaust – Chemistry of Consciousness
- Panikk – Unbearable Conditions
- Ultraviolence – Privilege to Overcome
- Sepultura – The Mediator Between Head and Hands Must Be the Heart
- Craven Idol – Towards Eschaton
- Death Angel – The Dream Call for Blood
- Hybris – Heavy Machinery
- Paradox – Tales of the Weird
- Hell’s Domain – Hell’s Domain
- Zafakon – War as a Drug
- Violator – Scenarios of Brutality
- Hatchet – Dawn of the End
- Necromessiah – The Last Hope of Humanity
- Razormaze – Annihilatia
- Mutant Squad – Titanomakhia
I also added a spot here for best thrash EPs that made it hard not to circle pit. Again, look at all the newcomers that made this list!
BEST THRASH EPS OF 2013:
- Exeloume – Return of the Nephilim
- Savage Spawn – Savage Spawn
- Black Mass – The Second Coming
- Savagery – Hard Merchandise
- BAT – Primitive Age
So in the end, what do you think? Was there an album that was missed? Perhaps one that was completely misinterpreted? Feel free to comment below with your thoughts! Also, if you are a thrash band looking to be considered for next year’s list feel free to email me at mattr@metal-observer.com!
