We start talking about Thrash Metal...and then two idiots verbally slap fight each other

Mr. Mean:

I watched the VH1 Classic documentary called Metal Evolution the other night. The episode was about thrash metal, so I was immediately hooked. It got me thinking about something. All of the “big 4” succumbed to making more accessible records, but Slayer was the only band that really kept it more akin to the sound of thrash metal. Even bands like Exodus, Overkill, and Testament kind of abandoned the sound later on. Besides the usual “major label” push to make more accessible sounding albums, does the fact that these guys are much older now (pushing or just over 50) mean they cannot play like they used to and therefore have to change their style a bit. I don’t play an instrument, so maybe this is a dumb question. But, I was watching Slayer perform “Raining Blood” on the recent tour and Dave Lombardo just does not have the speed he used to have. He can still outplay any of his peers (up yours, Lars), but the dude is older now.

Also, one more thing Mr. On’ry…why do you hate Anthrax so much? Vocals? I have a hard time with that because King Diamond sings higher than Joey Belladonna any day and you love his stuff. Please tell me you at least love S.O.D.

M. On’ry:

First of all, have you actually listened to anything Slayer has put out since Divine Intervention (1994)?  It’s all garbage and is absolutely more accessible to the fans of all that frat-core, mainstream, Slipknot-loving, chugga-chugga crap.  So before you heap all this praise on Slayer for staying “true” I’d be very careful.  Sure they didn’t go full on ‘mainstream’ like Metallica but you could argue that a) they softened their sound just like all the others you mentioned and b) Megadeth has done an equal job with them trying to stay as true to their sound as possible (which really is another indictment of Slayer’s last 15+ years of output). 

Anthrax.  Let’s get one thing straight first.  I don’t “hate” Anthrax.  I just think they are extremely overrated and I could give you literally 25+ thrash bands from that era that did it better.  The vocals don’t bother me as much as the fact that a) they weren’t as good as people made them out to be and b) they helped invent nu-metal the day they stepped on stage with Public Enemy (whom I actually like a lot better than Anthrax btw) and for that I can never forgive them.

Mr. Mean:

Feisty right out of the gate! If you’re calling Among The Living overrated, you are nuts.

Mr. On’ry

The only truly redeeming thing about any Anthrax record is that they actually worked with Angelo Badalamenti on their Twin Peaks homage song “Black Lodge”.  Everything else is fine but completely over-shadowed by Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Testament, Possessed, Exodus, Kreator, Overkill, Tankard, Whiplash, etc., etc. etc.  Want me to keep going?  Again I never said they suck they just aren’t as good as everyone made them out to be.  Scott Ian has this cult of personality around him that people/fans would gravitate to and ignore the fact that he’s one of the most overrated guitar players in metal history. 

Mr. Mean:

Wrong. Scott Ian has some great riffs dude. He’s got the whole NYHC vibe and I dig that about their (old) sound. They were as crossover as D.R.I. and Crumbsuckers. I listen to their Megaforce period between ‘85-‘90 and I can totally see them playing a matinee HC show at CBs or something. A bill with Anthrax and Cro-Mags would be damned good in NYC.

Mr. Lonesome:

Me hating thrash is a big misnomer. I just don’t enjoy as much as the heavy, melodic, down-tempo stuff (and yes, I’m referring to a band like Sabbath).

Mr Mean – I’m actually the one that hates Belladonna-era Anthrax. I don’t think they are as good as a “Big Four” ranking serves them. Though they do get mad props for writing a song about the Black Lodge. And I think Scott Ian is a pretty funny fella. I just think they are good for NYC. But Thrash is undeniably West Coast to me.

One band I love, be hometown biased or not, is Flotsam & Jetsam. I think their early thrash records are is good as anyone’s.

And to your earlier point, yes. Age can definitely affect one’s playing ability, especially in a genre such as Thrash. But even in a genre like good ol’ Rhythm and Blues. I saw Chuck Berry a few years back in CT. His voice was on point. But his playing was incredibly sloppy. And as the show went on, you could hear his amp being turned down more and more to where it wasn’t even audible.

I’d say a 70 year old Rhythm & Blues  guitarist is pretty akin to a 50 year old Thrash guitarist.

Mr. Mean:

I figured you would like Belladonna since you are such a Geoff Tate fan. Very similar. I love Anthrax with Belladonna, and I love Armored Saint with Bush. Together, no. At least it wasn’t as bad as John Corabi in Motley Crue. The big deal about Anthrax with John Bush is that they went away from their thashing and went all melodic. Sound of White Noise is their Black Album. That said, Black Lodge kicks. But so does Enter Sandman.

I liked Flotsam & Jetsam’s early Metal Blade stuff. When they signed to MCA, horrible. Then again, Newkid was gone.

Mr. Lonesome:

And not surprisingly, Sound of White Noise is the only Anthrax album I own. “Potter’s Field,” “Only,” “Packaged Rebellion,” “Room For One More” are all really great tracks.

I just don’t think Belladonna is anywhere near someone like Tate. Personal taste, though. They had some riffs that were cool. I just don’t see them as being worthy musically. Though they do get credit for being instrumental in the early Thrash scene by giving Metallica a place to crash  ;o)

Mr. Mean:

When Metallica came to NY is when they signed with Elektra, I think. “Only” was a pretty good song, too. I may pick that cd up for a penny or something on Amazon. It’s got some moments that are worth $2.98 total with shipping.

Mr. Lonesome:

Elektra re-issued it in 1988, but originally it was recorded with Jon Zazula as one of the producers.

Mr. Mean:

Sound Of White Noise was 1993 dude. What the hell are you talking about?

Mr. Lonesome:

I’m talking about Metallica, idiot. You said “when Metallica came to NY is when they signed with Elektra.” If your “they” was Antrax, you need to be more clear.

Mr. Mean:

Let’s decipher this since you are the one who is clearly stupid.

You said: Though they (Anthrax) do get credit for being instrumental in the early Thrash scene by giving Metallica a place to crash  ;o)

I said: When Metallica came to NY is when they signed with Elektra, I think

NY is where Anthrax lives. I was commenting on your stupid post.

Onward…I mentioned: “Only” was a pretty good song, too. I may pick that cd up for a penny or something on Amazon. It’s got some moments that are worth $2.98 total with shipping.

Clearly this is about the Anthrax album. Not any Metallica album. Both bands had albums on Elektra; Sound of White Noise was Anthrax’s first for Elektra since leaving Island.

You then said: Elektra re-issued it in 1988, but originally it was recorded with Jon Zazula as one of the producers.

You are the idiot. First of all, Metallica signed to Elektra in 1984 and their first major label release was Master Of Puppets. Nothing was re-issued in 1988 except for the Megaforce albums Kill ‘em All and Ride The Lightning, so duh, Zazula.

Where the hell is the other guy?

(*editors note: Mr. On'ry decided at this point to sit back and watch the idiocy unfold for a few minutes...)

Mr. Lonesome:

Man, you are dense. We were clearly talking about how Anthrax helped Metallica when Metallica needed a place to stay while recording Kill ‘Em All in NYC for Megaforce Records in Rochester in 1983 with Zazula as a producer.

Mr. Mean:

That’s not what we originally said you moron! All I said was that I think that is how they met the people at Elektra. I don’t know for certain. You never mentioned Kill Em All, Megaforce or Zazula once…until now. You misread what I wrote and completely didn’t understand that I was talking about effing Sound Of White Noise!

Once again, we talk about Metallica, and we argue. Next subject. Let’s discuss how I am going to kick you in the marbles when I see you again.

Mr. Lonesome:

But your comment about NY was directly after I mentioned how Anthrax let them crash when they got to NY (which was to record Kill ‘Em All).   Then you brought up Elektra. So you are dumb.

Mr. Mean:

I get it dumdum, but in your original post below, you never mentioned Kill Em All. I brought up Elektra because I thought, THOUGHT, they met Metallica when they were in NY. Either way, I am going to kick you.

Mr. Lonesome:

Either way, YOU are dumb.

Mr. Mean:

Why am I dumb? Because you bring up tidbits after the fact to clean up your mess and your misunderstanding? Clearly I am dumb then because I made you type stuff out half-assed.

Mr. Lonesome:

Because we were directly talking about Metallica being in NY, and you said you didn’t think they went to NY until they signed with Elektra. I was throwing down the knowledge that they came to NY prior to signing with Elektra. It’s that simple.

Mr. On’ry:

I stand by my original statement that Anthrax are overrated.  Again, you want “crossover” bands I’ll take D.R.I., Cryptic Slaughter, Crumbsuckers and about a half dozen other bands who did it better than Anthrax.  End of story.  And as for you two arguing semantics you both just sound like 7 year olds.  Moving on…

Mr. Lonesome:

He sounds 7. I’m at least 8 or 9.