Speed metal

Speed metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal that emerged in the 1980s. It is characterized by fast tempos, aggressive guitar riffs, and high-pitched vocals. Speed metal was heavily influenced by traditional heavy metal bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, as well as thrash metal bands such as Metallica and Slayer. The genre has had a significant impact on the heavy metal scene and has inspired countless musicians over the years. The origins of speed metal can be traced back to the early 1980s when bands like Motörhead and Judas Priest were pushing the boundaries of heavy metal music. These bands were experimenting with faster tempos, more aggressive guitar playing, and high-pitched vocals, which laid the foundation for the speed metal sound. The first true speed metal band was probably Exciter, a Canadian group who released their debut album in 1983. The band's fast tempos and aggressive playing style set the template for the genre, and they quickly became one of the most influential bands of their time. Other speed metal bands soon followed, including Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth, who all helped to push the genre forward. By the mid-1980s, speed metal had become a major force in heavy metal music. Bands like Anthrax, Testament, and Overkill had emerged, all of whom were playing with incredible speed and intensity. These bands helped to define the sound of speed metal, which was characterized by fast tempos, aggressive guitar playing, and high-pitched vocals. Despite its popularity, speed metal remained a somewhat underground genre. It was often overshadowed by more mainstream heavy metal bands, who tended to have a more accessible sound. However, speed metal remained a key influence on the heavy metal scene, and it continued to inspire countless musicians over the years. In the 1990s, speed metal began to evolve and encompass other genres. Bands like Pantera and Sepultura emerged, who incorporated elements of speed metal into their own sound. This helped to keep the genre alive and helped to inspire a new generation of musicians. Today, speed metal remains an important part of the heavy metal scene. While the genre may not be as popular as it once was, it continues to inspire musicians around the world. From classic bands like Metallica and Slayer to newer acts like Havok and Warbringer, the legacy of speed metal lives on.

Slayer: One of the pioneers of thrash and speed metal, Slayer has been delivering fast and furious music with brutal lyrics since 1981. Their classic albums Reign in Blood, South of Heaven, and Seasons in the Abyss are staples in the genre. Metallica: While not exclusively a speed metal band, Metallica helped define the sound in the early days of thrash. Their albums Kill 'Em All and Ride the Lightning are among the classics of the genre. Megadeth: Founded by former Metallica member Dave Mustaine, Megadeth has been churning out fast and technical music since 1983. Their albums Rust in Peace and Countdown to Extinction are considered some of the best in the genre. Iron Maiden: While mostly associated with traditional heavy metal, Iron Maiden's early albums included some speed-oriented tracks like "The Number of the Beast" and "Run to the Hills". The band's high-speed guitar harmonies are a hallmark of their sound. Anthrax: Another of the "big four" thrash bands, Anthrax is known for blending elements of speed and punk into their music. Their classic albums Among the Living and Persistence of Time are still held in high regard. Exodus: Founded by guitarist Gary Holt, Exodus is one of the overlooked pioneers of thrash and speed metal. Their debut album Bonded by Blood is a classic of the genre. Overkill: A mainstay of the New York and New Jersey thrash scene, Overkill has been delivering fast-paced and aggressive music since the early 80s. Their albums The Years of Decay and Horrorscope are highly regarded. Testament: Another Bay Area thrash band, Testament has been around since 1983. They are known for combining speed and melody in their music, and their albums The Legacy and Souls of Black are considered classics. Annihilator - Led by guitarist Jeff Waters, Annihilator has been delivering high-speed and technical music since the late 80s. Their album Alice in Hell is often cited as a highlight of the genre. Kreator: A founding member of the "Teutonic thrash" movement, Kreator hails from Germany and has been delivering fast and aggressive music since the early 80s. Their albums Pleasure to Kill and Extreme Aggression are considered classics of speed metal.

1. "Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!" - Megadeth 2. "Bonded by Blood" - Exodus 3. "Show No Mercy" - Slayer 4. "Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?" - Megadeth 5. "Eternal Devastation" - Destruction 6. "Metal Massacre" - Metallica 7. "The Ultra-Violence" - Death Angel 8. "Persecution Mania" - Sodom 9. "Infernal Overkill" - Destruction 10. "Hell Awaits" - Slayer 11. "The Legacy" - Testament 12. "Welcome to Hell" - Venom 13. "Beneath the Remains" - Sepultura 14. "Run the Jewels 3" - Kreator 15. "Endless Pain" - Kreator 16. "Fatal Brutal" - Nasty Savage 17. "Tales of Terror" - Hirax 18. "Fast as a Shark" - Accept 19. "Ride the Lightning" - Metallica 20. "Rust in Peace" - Megadeth 21. "Feel the Fire" - Overkill 22. "Pleasure to Kill" - Kreator 23. "Kill 'Em All" - Metallica 24. "Flag of Hate" - Kreator 25. "Sentence of Death" - Destruction

One of the most notable books written about speed metal is "Choosing Death: The Improbable History of Death Metal and Grindcore" by Albert Mudrian. Although the book focuses mainly on death metal, it also touches on the origins of speed metal and its influence on the broader metal scene. Mudrian describes speed metal as "a high-energy, technical style that featured lightning-fast riffs, virtuosic solos, and frenzied drumming" (Mudrian, 2004, p. 25). He also notes that speed metal was "the precursor to thrash metal, which would later dominate the heavy metal landscape" (Mudrian, 2004, p. 25). Another author who has written extensively on speed metal is Martin Popoff. In his book "The Top 500 Heavy Metal Songs of All Time," Popoff includes several speed metal songs, such as Metallica's "Whiplash" and Slayer's "Angel of Death." Popoff describes speed metal as "an uncompromising subgenre of heavy metal that demanded a high level of musicianship and an unrelenting commitment to speed and aggression" (Popoff, 2015, p. 16). Critics have had mixed opinions about speed metal over the years. Writing for AllMusic, Eduardo Rivadavia describes speed metal as "an exciting but relatively short-lived style that bridged the gap between traditional heavy metal and thrash" (Rivadavia, n.d.). He notes that while speed metal bands "never achieved the same level of mainstream success" as their thrash metal counterparts, they were nevertheless "integral in shaping the sound of heavy metal in the 1980s" (Rivadavia, n.d.). On the other hand, some critics have been less enthusiastic about speed metal. In a review of Slayer's album "Reign in Blood," Rolling Stone's Michael Azerrad described the band's music as "a relatively colorless brand of speed-metal" (Azerrad, 1986). Azerrad felt that the album lacked the "grace and intricacy" of other heavy metal genres and criticized the band's overreliance on speed and aggression.

The early 1980s saw a renewed interest in heavy metal music, particularly in the United States. The popularity of acts like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Motorhead paved the way for the emergence of Speed metal, which drew on these influences but infused them with a greater sense of urgency and intensity. The genre was characterized by fast tempos, intricate guitar work, and aggressive vocals. The cultural context of Speed metal was highly influenced by punk rock, which had become a major force in the music scene in the late 1970s. Punk's DIY ethos and confrontational attitude resonated with many young people who were disillusioned with mainstream culture and politics. Speed metal took this ethos and applied it to heavy metal, creating music that was both fast and energetic, as well as politically charged. The political and economic conditions of the 1980s also played a role in the emergence of Speed metal. The Reagan era was marked by a renewed focus on American exceptionalism and militarism, which was reflected in the music of the time. While heavy metal had always dealt with issues of power and authority, Speed metal was more explicitly political, with many bands taking aim at US military aggression and economic inequity. The technological context of the time also had an impact on Speed metal. The introduction of the compact disc in the early 1980s allowed for greater sonic clarity and allowed for more precise and complex guitar work. The growing popularity of home recording equipment made it easier for bands to create their own music and distribute it independently. Notable record labels played an important role in the development of Speed metal. Roadrunner Records was founded in 1980 and quickly became a major player in the world of heavy metal. The label released albums by many Speed metal bands, including Slayer and Metallica. Other influential labels included Combat Records, which released albums by Exodus and Death Angel, and Neat Records, which released albums by Venom and Raven. Journalists and writers also played an important role in shaping the narrative of Speed metal. Music journalists like Ian Christe, who wrote the definitive book on the genre, Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal, and Jon Wiederhorn, who chronicled the rise of Metallica in his book Louder Than Hell: The Definitive Oral History of Metal, helped to document the history of the genre and give voice to the fans and musicians who made it happen. In terms of notable figures, there were many influential musicians who helped to shape Speed metal. Bands like Slayer, Metallica, and Megadeth were all part of the genre's early development, as were bands like Motorhead and Venom, who helped to establish the thrashy sound that would come to define Speed metal. Other influential bands included Anthrax, Exodus, and Overkill.