I wanted to ask the forum metal experts, Wolf, b.o.b., MP, and others to describe to the difference between speed and thrash metal? What are your definitions of each sub-genre and what bands would you place in each? I'm confused as so often I am.
Comparison between thrash and speed metal is like between hard and soft rock, while speed is softer than thrash, still kinda loyal to classical metal.
Of course we can put Metallica and Megadeth to speed metal, but their aggression was more likely to be considered as thrash.
Examples of speed metal:
Anvil
Running Wild
Helloween
Examples of thrash metal
Hellhammer
KAT
Sabbat
Thanx for your responses guys.
I just wanted to hear other's descriptions.
From what I gather is that speed and thrash metal are both based on the NWoBHM with thrash incorporating hardcore punk elements such as vocal style and lyrics as speed is more melodic and is somewhere between heavy metal and thrash in being less 'abrasive' and 'brutal'.
Power metal being mostly developed in Europe and combines both heavy metal and thrash though more emphasises on melody and harmony than speed and can incorporate classical orchestrations and symphonic elements which is labeled symphonic metal, a sub-genre of power metal.
Of course, just like all other bands, there is usually more than one (sub) genre(s) they can be categorised under. For example, Megadeth is usually placed under thrash and speed, and Helloween under power and speed.
I'm anal about (sub) genres as it gives me more perspective and an appreciation of the music knowing it's origins, influences, era, and influenced.