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(from left) Mark Gallagher, Rob "Wacko" Hunter, and John Gallagher, of the English heavy metal band Raven, pose for a group portrait at The Kabuki Theater in San Francisco, California on June 7, 1984
The thrash metal bands who deserved to make it – but didn’t

By David Konow Published

For every success story like Metallica from the ‘80s metal movement, there are countless bands who didn’t make it. Some of them never gave up

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Bands
Dave Mustaine of Megadeth (L) and James Hetfield of Metallica perform during night four of the band's 30th Anniversary at The Fillmore on December 10, 2011 in San Francisco, California.
How James Hetfield wrangled Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax for metal's biggest reunion

By Brad Angle Published

James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett explain the origins of the Big 4 shows – which united Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax on one historic bill

Guitarists
Dave Mustaine of Megadeth performs at Canada Life Place on February 28, 2026 in London, Ontario
Dave Mustaine reflects on the overarching influence he had on the guitarists of the Big Four of thrash metal

By Janelle Borg Published

Mustaine makes a compelling argument that he directly inspired the likes of Kerry King and Scott Ian

Guitarists
Gary Holt of Exodus performs on stage at Sala Black Box on February 28, 2020 in Madrid, Spain.
Gary Holt once gave himself clinical-grade whiplash because he headbanged to his riffs too hard

By Phil Weller Published

The guitarist says he “dodged a bullet” by avoiding surgery

Guitarists
Kurt Cobain and Kerry King
How Kurt Cobain brought a more aggressive edge to Nevermind with the help of Slayer’s producer

By Phil Weller Published

Cobain sought out Slayer collaborator Andy Wallace to help give Nevermind an extra edge

Guitarists
Gary Holt with arms out wide as Exodus play Alcatraz Metal Fest, Belgium. He plays his signature ESP single-cut.
Gary Holt on his thrash metal redemption, balancing Exodus and Slayer – and why even Hetfield cheats on downpicking

By Jon Wiederhorn Published

Exodus and Slayer mainstay Gary Holt reveals what compelled him to finally roll up his sleeves and unflinchingly tell his life story

Guitarists
Gary Holt of Exodus performs at Alcatraz Metal Fest on August 11, 2024 in Kortrijk, Belgium
Gary Holt's favorite pedal emulates Eddie Van Halen's iconic “Brown Sound” – and it retails for less than a $100

By Janelle Borg Published

Holt reveals his new go-to budget-friendly brand – and offers some of his mini-pedal recommendations

Guitarists
American singer Tom Araya of Slayer performs live on stage during Rock am Ring at Nuerburgring on June 8, 2019 in Nuerburg, Germany.
Slayer’s Tom Araya charts his incredible 4-string journey

By Amit Sharma Published

From starting on a Paul McCartney Höfner ripoff to pioneering some of the heaviest metal ever committed to tape, Tom Araya admits he's no bass virtuoso… but he “can play fast sometimes”

Bassists
Kerry King performs at Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill on August 10, 2024 in Sterling Heights, Michigan
Slayer's Kerry King reveals who he thinks is the most “overlooked” guitarist in metal

By Janelle Borg Published

The metal icon also names his top five guitarists of all time

Guitarists
Kerry King with his new signature Dean
How Kerry King rose from the ashes of Slayer – ready to slay all over again

By Amit Sharma Published

2024 Year in Review: Slay bells ring, are you listening? From Hell I Rise is the sound of a thrash icon doing what thrash icons do best

Guitarists
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