Unleashing the Fury: How East Coast Thrash Took Inspiration from New York Hardcore and Revved up to 100mph
When discussing the origins of the term ‘thrash’ in a metal context, many factors come into play, but one strong case points towards New York. Back in 1982, a time when Metallica was still a demo band, Slayer was just starting out, and Megadeth didn’t even exist, ROIR Records released a compilation album titled New York Thrash. This compilation may have been the first proper use of the term ‘thrash’ in a musical context. Interestingly, the record brought together punk and hardcore bands from the area. However, the association of ‘thrash’ with such bands, particularly on the East Coast, was not surprising.
According to original Anthrax and Nuclear Assault bassist Danny Lilker, many young thrash bands in the area drew influence from the thriving New York hardcore scene, resulting in music that was faster and more straight-ahead than what was happening on the West Coast. This fusion of hardcore and metal allowed bands like Nuclear Assault to seamlessly mix in with the NYHC scene and play alongside bands like Exodus and Agnostic Front.
While the New York thrash scene leaned heavily on hardcore influences, Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian believes that hardcore was a universal inspiration for thrash bands, citing Slayer’s incorporation of hardcore elements into their music. Yet, some, like former Overkill drummer Rat Skates, argue that the East Coast thrash style emerged amidst a unique and confusing blend of musical trends.
Despite its innovative approach, the East Coast thrash scene often lived in the shadow of the more prominent Bay Area scene, which birthed heavyweights like Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Testament, Exodus, and many more. This disparity in attention and success led some to question the impact of the New York thrash scene in comparison to its West Coast counterpart.
However, supporters of the East Coast scene like Danny Lilker are quick to highlight the talent that emerged from the New York and New Jersey area in the 1980s. Bands like Anthrax, Nuclear Assault, Overkill, Carnivore, and S.O.D. were among the many acts that showcased the diversity and creativity of the scene.
One of the reasons the West Coast thrash bands gained more recognition and commercial success than their East Coast counterparts was due to their early adoption of extreme musical styles. While New York bands were more underground and less commercially viable, they often embraced more creative opportunities and made significant contributions to musical experimentation.
The East Coast scene thrived on a sense of camaraderie and competitiveness among bands, with musicians pushing each other to play faster and more aggressively. This atmosphere of unity and rivalry propelled the thrash genre to new heights but ultimately led to its demise, according to Rat Skates, who believes that internal competition hastened the downfall of the New York thrash scene and the genre as a whole.
Despite the debates surrounding the impact of the New York thrash scene, one thing remains clear – the bands from the East Coast played a vital role in shaping the thrash genre. Whether as innovators, pioneers, or collaborators, the musicians from the New York area left an indelible mark on the history of thrash metal.
