Who Would Be The 5th Member Of The Big 5?

If The Big 4 became The Big 5, who would be the fifth member? I think Testament.

Probably Testament, even though Exodus is one of the OGs and Overkill is the most prolific.

TestAmenT

Testament seems to fit the best. 

I like Exodus and Overkill (who are OG bands since thrash started) but the vocals have always been a hindrance. The “big 4” was based on popularity and sales figures.

Pethead wrote:Probably Testament, even though Exodus is one of the OGs and Overkill is the most prolific.

I thought the same about Exodus. The band started around 1979 or ‘80. They actually pre-date Metallica by a year.

TZ75 wrote:

Pethead wrote:Probably Testament, even though Exodus is one of the OGs and Overkill is the most prolific.

I thought the same about Exodus. The band started around 1979 or ‘80. They actually pre-date Metallica by a year.

Hence why Kirk was able to be in Exodus before Metallica

StevenCressler wrote:

TZ75 wrote:

Pethead wrote:Probably Testament, even though Exodus is one of the OGs and Overkill is the most prolific.

I thought the same about Exodus. The band started around 1979 or ‘80. They actually pre-date Metallica by a year.

Hence why Kirk was able to be in Exodus before Metallica

Kirk didn't join until right before the recording of KEA.

Christian Thrash Rules wrote:

StevenCressler wrote:

TZ75 wrote:

Pethead wrote:Probably Testament, even though Exodus is one of the OGs and Overkill is the most prolific.

I thought the same about Exodus. The band started around 1979 or ‘80. They actually pre-date Metallica by a year.

Hence why Kirk was able to be in Exodus before Metallica

Kirk didn't join until right before the recording of KEA.

True, but Exodus still had to be one of the oldest thrash bands do have anyone in them before KEA was even being recorded

Pethead wrote:Probably Testament, even though Exodus is one of the OGs and Overkill is the most prolific.

I think you were right about not putting Testament in a poll.

Actually, when Metallica started out they were called Exodus. 

That was the Exodus Kirk was in.

Dave Mustaine was hired to replace Kirk, who left to form the other Exodus that eventually became Ultimatum. 

Dave Mustaine couldn't play the parts that Kirk taught him, so he had to come back. 

Kirk was real nice though and formed Megadeth so Dave would have a band to play in.

If anyone asks, you guys didn't hear this from me.

Say it was Steven or Kerrick.

OK later.

StevenCressler wrote:

TZ75 wrote:

Pethead wrote:Probably Testament, even though Exodus is one of the OGs and Overkill is the most prolific.

I thought the same about Exodus. The band started around 1979 or ‘80. They actually pre-date Metallica by a year.

Hence why Kirk was able to be in Exodus before Metallica

Even if Exodus started the same year as Metallica, Mustaine had the job. Plus Metallica started in L.A. (Kirk wouldn’t have met them until 1982) when they began touring up north in the Bay Area. 

My point about Exodus was they were one of the very first bands in the thrash scene. Although I heard their original demo was not thrash. It was more straightforward metal.

TZ75 wrote:Testament seems to fit the best. 

I like Exodus and Overkill (who are OG bands since thrash started) but the vocals have always been a hindrance. The “big 4” was based on popularity and sales figures.

Yeah, a lot of Testament’s stuff has a lot more commercial appeal. Exodus is rougher in general, although hardcore thrashers like Kerrick love them.

I really wonder who's sold more albums.  In the 90s I would say definitely Sepultura, but Testament has probably surpassed them by now .... unless you count all of Max's bands too.

Flots should get some love. I've listened to them more than Metallica since TBA.

Black Rider wrote:Flots should get some love. I've listened to them more than Metallica since TBA.

Me too.  But I think they weren't selling as well as even Metal Church, much less the Big 8 or so.

Black Rider wrote:Flots should get some love. I've listened to them more than Metallica since TBA.

Flotsam are one of my favorite bands!

They will always be the underrated underdogs. It’s such a shame… they have one of the greatest singers in metal history!

Testament... really...

Let's kick Anthrax out and place Sepultura at their rightful thrash throne shall we.

Why—four reasons: Morbid Visions, Schizophrenia, beneath the remains and Arise

Hey, leave Anthrax alone!

Why? 4 reasons—Spreading the Disease, Among the Living, State of Euphoria, Persistence of Time:

🤪

Pethead wrote:Hey, leave Anthrax alone!

Why? 4 reasons—Spreading the Disease, Among the Living, State of Euphoria, Persistence of Time:

🤪

I think those are way overrated and haven't aged well.  Except StD.

And I was a huge Anthrax fan in the 80s.

Come on guys, Torn Flesh is the obvious answer

Temple of Blood wrote:

Pethead wrote:Hey, leave Anthrax alone!

Why? 4 reasons—Spreading the Disease, Among the Living, State of Euphoria, Persistence of Time:

🤪

I think those are way overrated and haven't aged well.  Except StD.

And I was a huge Anthrax fan in the 80s.

Well, I wouldn’t object to replacing them in the big 4 with Testament, but I would object to replacing them with Sepultura.

seth wrote:Come on guys, Torn Flesh is the obvious answer

They’re in their own category. They’re the big ONE.

Pethead wrote:

Temple of Blood wrote:

Pethead wrote:Hey, leave Anthrax alone!

Why? 4 reasons—Spreading the Disease, Among the Living, State of Euphoria, Persistence of Time:

🤪

I think those are way overrated and haven't aged well.  Except StD.

And I was a huge Anthrax fan in the 80s.

Well, I wouldn’t object to replacing them in the big 4 with Testament, but I would object to replacing them with Sepultura.

Agreed.  Exodus could/should fit too.  They made a lot of commercial missteps.

Temple of Blood wrote:

Pethead wrote:

Temple of Blood wrote:

Pethead wrote:Hey, leave Anthrax alone!

Why? 4 reasons—Spreading the Disease, Among the Living, State of Euphoria, Persistence of Time:

🤪

I think those are way overrated and haven't aged well.  Except StD.

And I was a huge Anthrax fan in the 80s.

Well, I wouldn’t object to replacing them in the big 4 with Testament, but I would object to replacing them with Sepultura.

Agreed.  Exodus could/should fit too.  They made a lot of commercial missteps.

Agreed.

Temple of Blood wrote:I really wonder who's sold more albums.  In the 90s I would say definitely Sepultura, but Testament has probably surpassed them by now .... unless you count all of Max's bands too.

The figures I could find put sales in this order:

1. Sepultura (20 million worldwide)
2. Testament (14 million worldwide)
3. Anthrax (10 million worldwide)

No idea if these are accurate.