The Four Aces Of Thrash

The early 1980s saw the emergence of thrash metal and four bands took it by the studded lapels gave it a mighty case of Whiplash. They were of course Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax and Megadeth and each one has created classic albums and inspired a million bands. Who could argue with albums like Master Of Puppets (Metallica), Reign In Blood (Slayer), Among The Living (Anthrax) and Peace Sells (Megadeth)? Certainly nobody with even the slightest appreciation of metal music would.
Fantastic albums every one and of course those are just skimming the surface because each band has a great arsenal of songs in their back catalogues. I have been a fan of them all since the beginning and its been a privilege to grow up with them. Having my bedroom walls get smothered with more and more posters, faithfully buying Kerrang! every week and Metal Hammer each month to soak up the news and the delight of travelling to HMV in Swansea whenever one of them released a new album. Good times people, the best.
I suppose arguments could be made to include Testament and make it a Big Five and I can see where people are coming from when they say this because no doubt about it, Testament are a fantastic band with brilliant albums. They have been stalwarts in the thrash scene forever but if an argument can be made for Testament then surely Over Kill or Nuclear Assault and a slew of other cool thrash bands could be considered also? So no, as much as I am a fan of Chuck Billy and company, I like the Big Four as it is and not being a Big Five.