COPYRIGHT (C) 2007 THE THRASH METAL GUIDE
0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
JACKNIFE(USA)
Swedish thrash/death metal made in the USA. The music has the typical melodic guitar work, but at times it
introduces some heavy, groovy moments, too. "End Man" is a less-than-two-minute wonder of some brilliant
thrash. The rest is less striking, sticking to the well established trends.
Moment of Reckoning full-length, 2006 Official Site JAGANNATH (HOLLAND)
The style on the first demo is heavy, roughly produced thrash with some very fast moments, reminding of the
Americans Hallows Eve. When the guys don't aim at the very fast, chaotic play, they actually produce some cool stomping tracks: "Into The City's Madness", but the more aggressive moments are not to be ignored, either: the smashing little thrasher "Flight Of The Goblin", and the stylish fusion of intense thrashing and some epic metal "Jagannath".
Demo I Demo, 1988 JAILOR (BRAZIL)
Even on a saturated scene like the Brazilian one, these guys will easily stick out, simply because this is one of the best debuts to come out of there in years. Technical thrash of the heavier type with fast, Slayer-esque
parts is what's on offer here. The guitar work is particularly good, and will remind you of Death, ably supported by great heavy bass-bottom. The music at times gets quite fast and aggressive, acquiring slight shade of death metal ("Timeline of Massacre", the second part of "Jailor"), and this is where the guys put more effort, coming with a really impressive performance, mainly by the guitarists again; their swirling technical hooks will keep you on the alert all the time. The headbanger will not be disappointed, either: more direct, shorter Slayer-esque numbers are also here: "Corpus Christ", but again with a certain technical edge. Technical masterpieces like "Deaf Lords" and "Necropolis" would be hard to match even by the most experienced practitioners of the genre- both songs are true gems, the absolute highlight of this great album! The vocals are the only flaw, being quite shouty, with an unpleasant hardcore edge; they sound appropriate, though, when the guy tries to scream ala Tom Araya (remember "Angel of Death").
Evil Corrupts full-length, 2005 Official Site JAMES MURPHY (USA)
This legendary guitar wizard has graced with his presence many celebrated acts from the metal scene (Agent
Steel, Obituary, Testament, Death, Cancer, etc.). In-between his busy schedule he has found some time to
release two albums under his name in the 90's. Music-wise this is progressive/technical thrash with a modern-
flavour (but no grooves). The style is not flamboyant ala Yngwie Malmsteen, or very aggressive ala Toby Knapp, but makes for a very interesting listen, mixing both eclectic, offbeat, more progressively-laced sections, with some impressive hard-hitting straight ones. On the songs (not all pieces are instrumentals) you can hear Chuck Billy, Devin Townsend, John West; Steve Digiorgio on bass, too. Murphy is still fighting brain cancer which befell him 5 years ago, and our hopes (and prayers) are that this metal hero will recover completely very soon to carry on with his great work.
Convergence Full-LenGTH, 1996 Official Site JEFF HANNEMAN PROJECT (USA)
The name should tell you a lot: this is a side project for the Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman, but here he does just a decent job; this is energetic, but not very aggressive thrash which doesn't sound exactly like Slayer, and is full of touches like slow atmospheric, even semi-balladic sections, which are not quite necessary, and ruin the sharp guitar sound. The bass is almost non-existent, making me wonder whether it wasn't only Hanneman and a session drummer having recorded this.
Demo Demo, 1986 JERKSTORE (DENMARK)
Based on "Blood On Canvas", this is modern groovy thrash of the more melodic-type, at times recalling Monster
Magnet. The music is mid-tempo to slow-ish, acquiring some stoner/doom character as well.
Anti-Jukebox Full-Length, 1999 Official Site JERSEY DOGS (USA)
Judging by the band name and the full length album title, you might expect this to be some kind of a joke; but it's not because these guys know how to play thrash. The sound is heavy with a very strong presence of the bass section, bringing Testament and Metallica to mind. There is a joke song which will remind you of Mordred with its funky passages- "Greasy Funk Chicken" (an obvios allusion to KFC).
Don't Worry, Get Angry! Ep, 1989 JESTER BEAST (ITALY)
This band manage to come up with an original sound on their only album: this is somewhat technical thrash
with some chaotic arrangements and hectic delivery, but everything comes perfectly in place at the end. The guys try to keep balance between the more aggressive and the more experimental tracks. Some moments are quite stylish, with a strong Voivod flavour ("Illogical Theocracy"). On the other extreme we have the grind core outburst "D.U.F.", which later comes up with some really cool guitar line. The music is quite intense most of the time, and would probably satisfy even the more extremely inclined thrash fans as well. This is well worth your attention.
Poetical Freakscam Full-Length, 1991 JESTERS OF CHAOS (USA)
Energetic thrash/crossover with some jolly punk-ish overtones, not miles away from D.R.I., or even Rumble Militia on the more melodic parts.
Demo Demo, 1988 JESUS CHRYSLER SUPERSKUNK (GERMANY)
This band boast the presence of two ex-Destruction members and one ex-Necronomicon member. So is this a feast for the 80's German thrash metal fans? Well, yes and no. This is actually quite enjoyable music which mixes stoner/doom, classic heavy metal, and, of course, a huge doze of thrash. The thrash riffing goes more into Slayer, Devastation-territory, that is, it's quite aggressive and combined with the stomping, doomy riffs, makes up for an intense and interesting listen. The guys are not "strangers" to some more technical guitar work, as well as the so common groovy sections in the Pantera-vein.
The Loudest No! Full-length, 2005 Official Site JESUS FREAKS (USA)
Based on the EP, this is Anthrax-influenced thrash metal with some modern elements and some tasteless synthesized vocals used at times. The guys on some tracks manage to come up with an intense, more aggresive than Anthrax sound ("Die With Me"), but pointless groovy numbers, like the 8-min "Hypocrite", pull the impression more on the negative side. Reportedly their full-length belongs entirely to the modern groovy thrash arena.
Socially Unacceptable EP, 1993 My Space JESUSMARTYR (ARGENTINA)
This is a nod to the 90's scene; cool aggro thrash not too far from Machine Head's "Burn My Eyes", or Pantera's "Vulgar Display of Power"; you will hear sharp, heavy riffs aplenty here, and the tempo is quite energetic. As this style is gradually falling into oblivion, perhaps it would not be too bad to have a few acts like this around to remind us of the good, not too old times, especially if they remind us in such a good way.
Black Waters Full-Length, 2007 JIM JONES AND THE KOOL-ADE KIDS (USA)
A very obscure, but utterly worthy release of moody, doomy thrash similar to early Celtic Frost, Venom and Dream Death. This is slightly monotonous music, but delivers the goods on all counts, especially with some brutal, fast tracks thrown in: "Manufactured Christ" and "Attack Position", which go straight into Possessed and Slaughter territory, and show the other side of this very interesting band. The singer does a very good job, sounding like a blend between Cronos and Tom G. Warrior. The songs are generally short, within the 3-min range, but "Odium Bloom" will catch you completely unprepared with its monstrous, 9-min length of pure, unadulterated doom, which would make even masters of the genre like Saint Vitus cringe with envy.
Trust Me Full-length, 1986 JUDA'S WAKE (USA)
Modern thrash with some quite interesting progressive and alternative elements, sounding like a more
aggressive version of Tool.
There Is Only Technology Full-Length, 2004 Official Site JUDGE & JURY (USA)
Another obscure, but very worthy 4-song demo of technically minded thrash, which sounds like a more technical version of the Brits Xentrix . There are touches of Anthrax's 80's period, including some in the vocal department. Like Xentrix on "Kim", the guys slow down, inserting some very good balladic moments, where some nice female vocals can also be heard, and these are the moments where the lead guitar is simply brilliant. The rest is great energetic thrash, untouched by the detrimental modern tendencies.
Demo Demo, 1992 JUDGEMENT (USA)
Based on the first demo, this band play very good thrash akin to the first Forbidden albums; the songs are long (6-7min), and there are some great riffs ala "Twisted into Form", added to the quite energetic delivery. The vocals are high-pitched semi-clean ones, very close to Russ Anderson (Forbidden again).
Demo Demo, 1990 Official Site JUGGERNAUT (BRAZIL)
Juggernaut will easily stick out of the enormous thrash metal pack from Brazil. This is standout technical
thrash with shades of death, akin to the Russians End Zone, which also features some great later period Death-like riffs; by far one of the most impressive debuts of 2006. When the opening riffs from the first track "Lines of the Edge" reach your ears, you know this can not be an ordinary stuff; that same track is a feast of riffs, which would be one of the best numbers even on "Symbolic" or "The Sound of Perseverance". Later the music remains on the same high level, with both the speed and technicality preserved on almost each song, accompanied by mid-ranged death metal growls. The album closer "Own World" calms down, settling for a slower, heavier approach, bringing forward a nice middle break, with an acoustic guitar and an Oriental solo.
Lines Of The Edge Full-Length, 2006 Official Site JUGGERNAUT (USA)
This is the band where Steve Cooper- the singer who was in S.A. Slayer first, continued his career. Another member who might be familar to you, is Bobby 'Wire' Jarzombek- the drummer who later worked wtih acts like Iced Earth, Spastik Inc., Halford, Riot, etc. This is a fairly original take on thrash metal; the band's style is actually more of a mix of power and thrash with some cool technical elements. "Baptism Under Fire" is the more clumsy, heavy-handed effort, with the band's style having not taken a complete shape, and along with some stylish decisions ("Juggernaut, "Impaler"), there are a lot more ordinary power/thrash riffs, making the band just one of the many American bands offering similar stuff.
Baptism Under Fire Full-length, 1986 Vibrations of Doom JUMALATION (FINLAND)
Based on the "Jumalation Thrash Attack" demo, this is first class retro speed/thrash metal which nicely crosses the German side of the scene (Destruction) with some Slayer-esque aggression, plus a few technical riffs ala Gammacide and Torture. The tracks are longer than what usually goes with this style, and there are plenty of mighty riffs there for the thrash metal fan to headbang to.
Jumalation Thrash Attack Demo, 2001 Official Site JURASSIC JADE (JAPAN)
One of the originators of Japanese thrash metal, who remained one of the greatest acts to ever come out of this country (maybe only second to Ritual Carnage). The band's works of the 80's are some of the finest hours of the whole scene- great energetic, often quite aggressive thrash, crossing for the most part the Bay-Area style with Slayer. boasting very tight and sharp guitar work. In 1991, when most bands were looking for ways to adjust their music to the modern tastes, these guys nailed down another fine slab of intense classic thrash where, along with the shorter, aggressive numbers, there were some longer ones, with some impressive genuine technical moments, suggesting at the band's bigger potential to be realised very soon. Alas, the fans had to wait for 6 long years, in order to hear some new Jurassic Jade material. It was worth the wait, because "After Killing Man" sounds exactly like the previous one promised: very effective technical thrash, with slight modern "decorations", still "armed" with several headbanging explosions, but fairly more complex.
Live At Explosion! Ep, 1985 My Space JUST CAUSE (CANADA)
This band boast the presence of the legendary Gene Hoglan- the drum monster who has been part of quite a few
renowned metal bands throughout the years. The music at display here is a modern mixture of thrash and death
metal, quite fast and technical. There are moments when industrial overtones sneak through, and the sound comes close to Fear Factory. This is a very good album with short, but very energetic tracks and some great riffs; I guess I don't have to add that the star of the show is Hoglan, whose amazing performance on the drums makes this work even more worthy. I really hope these guys will be heard of again soon! (8 years gone, and still having some hope left!)
Finger It Out Full-Length, 1999 My Space JUSTICE (GERMANY)
This act boast the presence of the singer Michael "Mitch" Schmitt (Paradox), and the drummer Ian Finlay (Running Wild), in the earlier stages of their career. Based on "The Descendant", the style is modern power/thrash metal, but surprisingly catchy and well done. The songs are mostly mid-paced, with a dark and heavy sound. The last song is a joke, featuring a very disrespectful treatment of Iron Maiden's "Run To The Hills" in terms of both lyrics and music.
Name The Never EP, 1993 Official Site JUSTICIA (SPAIN)
This is cool stuff- Metallica's "...And Justice For All" meets modern thrash metal; worth checking out. "Alone Against All" opens the album no worse than "Blackened", in a similar fashion, maybe not as techncal and complex, and the energy remains for the next couple of tracks, as the riffs are crushingly heavy. "Judgement Day" is a bit confusing, but just in the beginning, with its groovy guitars, but things quickly go back to normal. Still the groove is present on the second half of the album, which ends with the choppy, modern "Mad", which recalls the middle, more experimental period of the Germans Atrocity ("Blut").
Alone Against All Full-length, 1998
Official Site JUVENOCRACY (USA)
Modern thrash with several vocal styles; there are some faster, classic thrash moments as well, but generally this band are just one of the many.
2 Of A Kind Full-Length, 1996 My Space [
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The second demo is a big improvement over the first one, going for a more technical
style enriched with some genuine slower, doomy parts. "Save the Days" combines the unbridled aggression of the debut demo with some nice technical sections. "Crionic Substance" is a speed/thrash mix, with some good leads. "Innocent Victims" thrashes non-stop for about 4-min, followed by another 4-min, but of a different nature: a great seamless blend of speed and technicality ("The Lunacy Of Intelligence"). But even this sounds just like a rehearsal for the brilliant technical masterpiece "Vendetta Gentilitzia": a shredfest at its finest. "Last Meal!!" is a merciless ball of aggression, closed by some country joke tunes, coming as though from some drunken party.
Crionic Substance Demo, 1989
Feeding The Machine Full-Length, 1999
Hard Words Softly Spoken Full-Length, 2000
Blood On Canvas Full-Length, 2004
The Dream Society Full-Length, 2006
Thrash Ranch Full-Length, 1990
Jesus Freaks Full-Length, 1996
Infernal Reality Demo, 1992
"Trouble Within" comes with a much more technical guitar work, striking leads, and more complex song-structures. Some songs are really worthy technical numbers ("Russian Roulette", "Trouble Within"), a bit rough around the edges, with some kind of unfinished parts, as though the guys have given up elaborating any further- a style which was later polished and perfected on works like Liege Lord's "Master's Control" and Helstar's "Nosferatu". It certainly offers more direct music, like the good speed metal instrumental "Stella Rubae", and the pure doomster "The Pirate's Blade". Although the American music scene has already created some better examples of technical/progressive metal (Watchtower, Ulysses Siren, Have Mercy) at that point, the Juggernaut's efforts in this direction are surely worth checking out.
Trouble Within Full-length, 1987
Metal on Metal Best of/Compilation, 2004
Rehearseal Studio Demo Demo, 2005
"Wonderful Monument" appeared after another, this time shorter, 3-year pause, and brought about a more complex and modernized sound, including quite a few eclectic, offbeat moments (industrial elements, hardcore, ballads, etc.). The straight sections from the previous effort are much fewer; at the time when the classic sound was coming back to vogue with full force, these guys have modernized their music to a considerable extent. 4 years later "Left Eye" was a pleasant surprise, abandoning a certain part of the modern elements from its predecessor, concentrating again on the guitar-driven side, still with a strong technical edge, but much more comprehensible, and with a much bigger number of sharp, headbanging riffs.
War By Proxy Full-Length, 1987
Gore Full-Length, 1989
Never Forget Those Days Full-Length, 1991
After Killing Man Full-Length, 1997
Doku Yume Superuma Ep, 1998
Wonderful Monument Full-Length, 2000
Left Eye Full-Length, 2004
Hemiflegia Ep, 2006
"The Hammer Of Justice" is even better, with a more aggressive approach, mixing speedy classic thrashers ("2 Minutes 2 Live", "Ritual in Rhodes") with heavier, mid-paced, modern thrash tracks ("Life Undead"), plus a brutal, death metal-ish short, less-than-a-minute outburst "Shrabbzih Myisel", and a cool cover of Twisted Sister's "Street Justice" at the end. The only complaint are the low-tuned death-ish vocals, which are the dominating ones; the other, the clean ones which spring up from time to time, are much more fitting to the music.
Das Weihnachtshörspiel Full-Length, 1996
The Hammer Of Justice Full-Length, 2002
The Descendant Full-Length, 2004