In the 90's, there was a slowdown in the scene, paving the way for more sober rock acts. Other metal bands started diversifying, changing their sound to generally mellower tune to conform to the new musical environment. However, the noise can still be heard from the depths...

Here are some of my metal picks:

Iron Maiden

Leather-clad 70's   The Powerslave Line Up

Born in the 70's, this band was part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal Movement. Iron Maiden has become one of the world's most influential metal bands as well as being one of the most durable. A veritable institution of heavy metal, Iron Maiden still rocks to this very day.   Led by  bassist Steve Harris their epic songs, dark and melodic themes and  signature cartoon image named Eddie became trendsetters in the 80's. After some lineup changes, the band became most popular with vocalist Bruce Dickinson up until the early part of the 90's. Today, Maiden has reformed with their most powerful lineup and is set to record and tour again.  The sound of Maiden is powerful to say the least. Harris' distinct bass riffs are unprecedented by any metal bassist and the signature twin guitar (rule of fifths as I theorize it) system have been the cornerstones of their sound. Coupled with Dickinson's banshee vocals and arranged with several tempo changes, and you get the sound that many claim as the influence of what is to be thrash and speed metal. Legends in their own right, the legacy of Iron Maiden refuses to die.

Black Sabbath

The Original Sabbath

The Fathers of Metal. Since people were making money out of "scary movies" Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne suggested that they make "scary music". These guys started it all.  Black Sabbath has gone through a lot of changes through the years, but they will always be remembered for their work with their original lineup. Listening to contemporary thrash acts, the influence of this band on the music is uncanny. From dark imagery, mysticism, multiple motifs and tempo changes, to the whole downcrunching guitar E minor guitar riffs, the reasons for this band's reputation is doubtless. They were way ahead of their time in terms of sound, and their revolution is legend...

Slayer

The Twin Axes of Speed Circa South of Heaven

The band that elevated speed metal to unprecedented notoriety. Formed by guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman in the glam metal territory of Los Angeles, "Dragonslayer" as they first called themselves, was on the brink of making history.   Their first album "Show No Mercy" was far from glam. With heavy speed riffs and blasphemous lyrics, the uncompromising sound of Slayer caught the  imagination of American metal fans. With the release of 1986's surprisingly gold-selling "Reign In Blood", the band was hailed by their fans as THE speed metal band.  Slayer to me will always be THE speed metal band. Their sound is loud, dirty, fast and most of all heavy. The lyrics range from typical mystical jargon to Nazi War stories (but they are NOT Nazis). Uncompromising. The twin guitars have redefined what speed riffs are (and what they should be!). From complex scalar riffs to power punk shreds, these guitarists are the most awesome thrash pair there is. With the awesomely powerful voice of Tom Araya coupled with the intricate and precise beatings of Dave Lombardo (and then Paul Bostaph), Slayer will probably remain as THE speed metal band.

Megadeth

Early Megadeth (IMHO) Their Best Line Up

A distinguished member of the heavy metal community, Megadeth can be accounted for as one of the most musically-equipped thrash metal acts.  Formed by  former Metallica guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist Dave Ellefson, Megadeth has gone quite far in the metal business.  Plagued by constant lineup changes, Megadeth struggled album after album. Megadeth unlike most thrash bands don't rely on too much speed nor too much weight (but this doesn't mean they're not heavy). Notable in their style is the concentration on guitars. Mustaine himself is an accomplished guitarist, and through the years he paired with another above par axeman to deliver the Megadeth crunch. Older albums had that signature Megadeth screechy high pitched distorted thrash guitar sound. Their magnum opus "Rust in Peace" redefined the Megadeth sound as one of technical superiority as well metal angst.   Lately, it seems Megadeth is going the same way as Metallica, down sober alley. Oh well, good things don't last forever you know.

Anthrax

Anthrax' 82 Persistent?

I call these guys "Fun" metal. Formed in New York, the band is rooted on hardcore and punk. Away from the then (probably until now) glam-ridden Los Angeles, Anthrax forged their brand of metal.  Going through a lot of lineup changes, Anthrax has managed to keep some semblance of its original sound. Unlike some bands, they have succeeded in keeping away from "mellowing down". Listening to rare snips from their "Fistful of Metal" release, they sounded just like any early thash band. Raw, dirty and with a lot of wailing, it signified the type of music Anthrax played. Over the years, their sound evolved to a more solid form.  Anthrax's punk influence will always be part of the attitude the band portrays. The uncompromising lyrics and heavy riffs make for a very classical metal band. But what separates them from all their peers? What I find is their use of a very melodic vocalist. From Belladona to Bush, Anthrax vocalists always had fine voices (unlike the raspy, rough types common in thrash). Their songs feature multiple motifs that shift in tempo and theme within the song. In effect, what makes Anthrax interesting is believe it or not, the compromise they make between attitude and musical execution.

Metallica

An old photo. How old you say?

The Godfathers of Thrash. I really don't need to elaborate here since most everyone probably knows this band. Formed in LA, then moving to New York (then I think) to San Francisco, Metallica was the first thrash act to break into the major labels. Decades after that though, many thrash fanatics have found the band's sound alienating. Their mellowing down (and to some, selling out) has been a major change in their sound since "Justice".   Anyway, if you ask me, when you talk Metallica, you talk of their 80's albums. They still have lots of fans, but honestly, I think they lost the "Metal" in "Metallica". Nuff said.