TRIPLE THRASH TREAT 4

The East Coast, Canada and Australia.

While the Thrash Metal Scene in the Bay Area evolved during the early and mid-eighties, the scene on the east coast in New York and New Jersey did the same, though not in the same scale. The East Coast bands tended to be more punk and hardcore influenced than West Coast bands, with more emphasis on aggression and speed than technicality. The scene was fronted by bands like Anthrax, Nuclear Assault, Whiplash and Overkill.

The first roots of the Canadian thrash metal scene can be traced back to 1973, when the band Lips was formed. This was the predecessor of Anvil. Also Exciter began their career in the 70s, although this band was categorized as a speed metal band. The Canadian thrash metal scene was dominated by bands like Annihilator, Razor, Slaughter and Voivod in addition to Anvil and Exciter. There was a small family relationship between the Canadian scene and the East Coast when Chuck Schuldiner had a small period in Slaughter in 1986. Piledriver and Infernal Majesty was formed in respectively 85 and 86 and helped to strengthen the Canadian thrash metal scene in the early years.

Meanwhile on the other side of the globe, in Australia, a band named Heresy, later Nothing Sacred, started their career. Heresy was possibly the only thrash metal band in Australia until 1985 when bands like Mortal Sin, Hobbs’ Angel of Death, Slaughter Lord, Addictive, Renegade and Rampage appeared. The Australian thrash metal scene was never a strong scene, even if Destroyer 666 has had some international success in recent years.

ANTHRAX "Gung-Ho" live

 

In this fourth edition of Triple Thrash Treat, we have the honor of presenting the answers from 3 addicted metalheads from Norway, all well known in the Norwegian metal scene. First up is Harald from Imbalance, then Morten from Witchhammer and finally Bård from Mongo Ninja.

Harald Eilertsen, play bass and handle vocals in the Norwegian thrash metal band IMBALANCE.
Morten Skute, play guitar in the Norwegian thrash metal band WITCHHAMMER.
Bård "Faust" Eithun, play drums in the Norwegian thrash metal band MONGO NINJA. Also known from several other bands.

As usual we ask them the same 5 questions and here is what these 3 fine musicians came up with.

 

 
HARALD EILERTSEN
(Imbalance)

 

What is your favorite thrash metal riff?

Damn, that’s a hard question, but it caused me to listen through quite some excellent albums while trying to make up my mind. I think actually the opening riff of Exodus’ "A Lesson in Violence" is all the way up there. It’s a great riff with furious energy and has a very thrash metal feeling to it. In many ways it’s a very typical thrash riff, but that’s only because so many has used it as inspiration.

What was your first gig with a thrash metal band?

Oh, man! I can’t remember, that is a long time ago… It is for sure some of the underground bands in Trondheim in the mid- to late eighties. My guess is Septic Tank or something pre Atrox/pre The 3rd and the Mortal – Suffocation, Demogorgon Dawn or something. It would have to be on UFFA, which pretty much was the only venue doing these kind of concerts at the time, and that also let in kids like us.

Who has, in your opinion, the best thrash metal screams?

I’m not sure anymore today. But there’s no doubt that this honour for a long time belonged to Tom Araya of Slayer. The screams he did on "Reign in Blood" was bone-chilling!

And who is the best thrash metal riffer?

There’s so many I’m not sure if it’s possible to pick out the one best riffer. My first response would have to be Schmier of Destruction, he has this sinister way of twisting the riffs around to make them
surprising as well as full of energy. Other close contenders is Piggy of VoïVod and Jeff Waters of Annihilator. I would also like to mention Thormodr in my own band, Imbalance. He has a technique which gives his riffs both speed and precision while he makes riffs that are truly unique.

Finally, what is your favorite thrash metal album?

Equinox, "Auf Wiedersehen", that one is clear as an unmudded lake.

  

MORTEN SKUTE
(Witchhammer)

 

What is your favorite thrash metal riff?

A must be favourite thrash metal riff is Slayer, "Raining Blood"… Just love the start…, love the thrash from 80’s. Who doesn’t like this riff?

What was your first gig with a thrash metal band?

My first own gig, was with my friends in Metal Thunder… 4 piece, and 13 years old…vhehe. Will never forget these endlessly cool old days, with no worries and metal 24/7…
My first attended thrash metal gig, I think was Anthrax in 1988 with Suicidal Tendencies as support – same year my first Slayer live experience  (Candlemass support). Both gigs were totally awesome at age 15… I don’t know which one of them. Same year… Metallica "…And Justice" tour. What a year!

Who has, in your opinion, the best thrash metal screams?

Tom Araya! Without any doubt.

And who is the best thrash metal riffer?

Here is a list that could be quite long, but to keep it short – Kerry King

Finally, what is your favorite thrash metal album?

Ahh – too many, but the one that’s always close around and in every playlist is of course "Reign In Blood"…
Slayer fan?? Totally!
Witchhammer’s "Chapter3: In Serenity and Awe" was released 25th march, so hopefully this will occure on some lists in the future 🙂

 

 
BÅRD "FAUST" EITHUN
(Mongo Ninja)

 

What is your favorite thrash metal riff?

Almost difficult to make a final decision, but the opening riff and middle part of "Angel of Death" is great. So is the opening of "Die By the Sword", the middle part on "Ghost of War". The first riff on "Agent Orange" for its simplicity, The second and third riff on "Indians", the beginning of "Crucifixion" on Hobbs’ Angel of Death’s debut, the beginning of "Inner Self" and "Mass Hypnosis"… There is a sea of great thrash riffs out there really.

What was your first gig with a thrash metal band?

Anthrax and Suicidal Tendencies at Rockefeller and Cadaver and Equinox at Blitz. Both in 1989.

Who has, in your opinion, the best thrash metal screams?

Another impossibility but great ones are: Jeff Becerra, Paul Baloff, Tom Araya, Apollyon, John Connelly, Don Doty (Dark Angel), Schmier and Chuck Billy.

And who is the best thrash metal riffer?

Haha, the third impossibility, but here we go: Hannemann/King, Eric Peterson, Gary Holt/Rick Hunolt and last but not least my long time colleague and 24/7 riff machine Pete Evil.

Finally, what is your favorite thrash metal album?

"Reign in Blood", "Hobbs’ Angel of Death", "Ride the Lightning", "Beneath The Remains", "The Legacy", "Auf Wiedersehen", "Bonded By Blood", "Hades Rise" and "Darkness Descends"… Probably hundreds more as well.

 

 

Voivod guitarist Denis D’Amour aka Piggy died at the age of 45 on 26 August 2005 due to complications from colon cancer. Soon after the band released "Katorz" (which is an "alternative" way of writing "quatorze", fourteen in French), in July 2006. The album is based around riffs found on the laptop of guitarist Denis D’Amour. Just prior to his death, he left instructions for his fellow bandmates on how to use them.

VOIVOD "Ripping Headaches" official video 1986