Ruthless Metal: thehistoryofthrashpart29

PART XXIX.
THE MODERN DAY.
THE LEGACY BANDS.
(2016-2026)

We are in some sort of transitional era for thrash metal. Many of the bands of the eighties are still touring heavily in 2026, riding the wave of renewed interest in old‑school metal, but time has forced a shift; aging lineups, health issues, and the pandemic all pushed these bands into a mix of reinvention, slowdown, and legacy‑cementing.

METALLICA (2016-2026)

Metallica spent these years operating as the largest metal band on the planet, a stadium‑sized institution rather than a traditional thrash act. Hardwired… to Self‑Destruct (2016) carried them through the late 2010s with massive world tours and multi‑night residencies. Lineup stability remained unchanged, Hetfield, Ulrich, Hammett, and Trujillo, but Hetfield’s rehab stint in 2019 briefly paused touring. Their next album, 72 Seasons (2023), arrived after a long gap and leaned into a cleaner, more modern production style. By the mid‑2020s, Metallica were firmly in legacy mode: huge tours, archival releases, and a focus on celebrating their history rather than reinventing themselves.

MEGADETH (2016-2026)

Megadeth’s decade was defined by turbulence and resilience. Former drummer Nick Menza died in 2016 and Dave Mustaine’s throat cancer diagnosis in 2019 halted the band temporarily, but they returned with The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead! (2022). Lineup changes were constant: bassist David Ellefson was dismissed in 2021 after a rather embarassing scandal, Dave Ellefson was replaced in the studio by Steve Di Giorgio and later permanently by James LoMenzo.

Kiko Loureiro departed in 2023, with Teemu Mäntysaari stepping in on guitar. In 2026 the band released their final(?) studio album, It's self-titled and one last world tour followed. We're yet to see if this will be Megadeth's final goodbye.

Megadeth - Megadeth (2026)

SLAYER (2016-2026)

Slayer’s story effectively ended in 2019. After releasing Repentless (2015), they embarked on a massive farewell tour that dominated the metal world. The lineup: Tom Araya, Kerry King, Gary Holt, and Paul Bostaph, closed the book on the band with a final show in November 2019. Rumors of reunions persisted throughout the 2020s, especially as Kerry King launched his solo band in 2024, but Slayer as a functioning unit remained retired until 2024 when they came back to do a couple of liveshows, which they are still doing in 2025 and 2026. Let's hope they can continue on.

ANTHRAX (2016-2026)

Anthrax spent the decade balancing new material with heavy anniversary touring. They released For All Kings in 2016 and their lineup remained stable, Joey Belladonna, Scott Ian, Charlie Benante, Frank Bello, and Jonathan Donais and they continued to be one of the most consistent live acts of the classic thrash scene. Work on their next album stretched for years, slowed by the pandemic and Benante’s commitments to Pantera’s touring lineup. Their output leaned heavily on celebrating their legacy, including full‑album performances and deluxe reissues, but they maintained a strong presence throughout the last ten year period.

TESTAMENT (2016-2026)

Testament entered a late‑career renaissance. Brotherhood of the Snake (2016) and Titans of Creation (2020) showcased a band still hungry, still sharp, and still capable of writing relevant thrash. The lineup remained a revolving door of elite musicians: Gene Hoglan departed in 2022, replaced by Dave Lombardo, who returned to the band after decades away. Testament toured aggressively through the 2020s and became one of the most reliable standard‑bearers for classic thrash. In 2025 Testament released Para Bellum.

EXODUS (2016-2026)

Exodus experienced one of the most emotionally heavy periods of their career. Gary Holt’s years with Slayer slowed Exodus activity until Persona Non Grata (2021), their first album since 2014. The lineup: Zetro Souza, Holt, Lee Altus, Jack Gibson, and Tom Hunting remained stable, though Hunting’s cancer diagnosis in 2021 temporarily sidelined him. Exodus continued touring with renewed energy, reclaiming their place as one of the genre’s most ferocious live bands. In 2026 they annonced a new album titled Goliath with Rob Dukes back behind the microphone.

OVERKILL (2016-2026)

Overkill remained the most consistent workhorse of the old guard. They released The Grinding Wheel (2017), The Wings of War (2019), and Scorched (2023), maintaining their trademark pace of an album every few years. Lineup changes were minimal, with Jason Bittner becoming the bands drummer but in 2024 he was replaced by Jeramie Kling. Overkill’s decade was defined by reliability: constant touring, constant recording, and a refusal to slow down.

DEATH ANGEL (2016-2026)

Death Angel continued their modern‑era creative streak with The Evil Divide (2016) and Humanicide (2019), both critically praised. The lineup of Mark Osegueda, Rob Cavestany, Ted Aguilar, Damien Sisson, and Will Carroll stayed intact, and the band leaned into a darker, more atmospheric thrash style. The pandemic hit them hard, with drummer Will Carroll’s near‑fatal illness in 2020 becoming one of the scene’s most dramatic survival stories. They returned stronger, touring steadily through the mid‑2020s.

Death Angel - The Evil Divide (2016)

KREATOR (2016-2026)

Kreator entered this decade as the most globally dominant of the German thrash bands, and they spent the last ten years reinforcing that position with a mix of creative ambition and relentless touring. Gods of Violence (2017) marked a high point in their modern era, melodic, grandiose, and politically charged and it pushed them into larger venues and festival headlining slots across Europe. The lineup remained stable until 2019, when longtime bassist Christian 'Speesy' Giesler departed after 25 years. He was replaced by Frédéric Leclercq (ex‑DragonForce), whose technical precision and stage presence added a new dimension to the band. Kreator followed with Hate Über Alles (2022), an album that sharpened their melodic tendencies while keeping Mille Petrozza’s trademark fury intact. In 2026 Kreator releases Krushers of the World. Through the mid‑2020s, Kreator operated like a well‑oiled machine: big tours, big production, and a sense of being the elder statesmen of European thrash without losing their edge.

SODOM (2016-2026)

Sodom’s decade was defined by volatility, reinvention, and a return to their roots. After Decision Day (2016), Tom Angelripper made a dramatic move in 2018 by firing the entire lineup and rebuilding the band from scratch. The new formation with Frank Blackfire returning on guitar after decades away, alongside Yorck Segatz and drummer Husky, brought back the raw, primitive aggression of Sodom’s early years. This lineup delivered Genesis XIX (2020), a record that felt like a deliberate throwback to their chaotic, war‑torn origins. Sodom continued releasing EPs and singles throughout the early 2020s, maintaining a steady presence in the underground. In 2025 they released The Arsonist. Sodom's identity during this era was clear: no polish, no compromise, just pure German thrash delivered with the same ferocity Angelripper had carried since the 80s.

DESTRUCTION (2016-2026)

Destruction spent these years navigating major internal shifts while keeping their output remarkably consistent. Under Attack (2016) and Born to Perish (2019) showcased the band’s modern, streamlined approach, but the biggest change came in 2021 when founding guitarist Mike Sifringer left the band after nearly four decades. Schmier rebuilt the lineup around a twin‑guitar attack, bringing in Martin Furia to join Damir Eskic. This refreshed formation debuted on Diabolical (2022). Despite the lineup upheaval, Destruction toured heavily through the 2020s, maintaining their reputation as one of the most dependable live acts in European thrash. In 2025, Destruction released Birth of Malice. Destruction's identity in this era was defined by resilience, a band refusing to fade, even as their classic structure evolved.

TANKARD (2016-2026)

Tankard remained the most joyfully consistent of the Teutonic Four. While the other German giants wrestled with lineup changes, reinventions, and internal drama, Tankard simply kept doing what they’ve always done: writing sharp, beer‑soaked thrash with a punk edge and a sense of humor no one else in the scene could replicate. They released One Foot in the Grave (2017) and Pavlov’s Dawgs (2022), both showcasing their trademark mix of speed, melody, and tongue‑in‑cheek social commentary. The lineup stayed remarkably stable, Gerre, Frank Thorwarth, and the long‑running crew which helped Tankard maintain a steady presence on the European festival circuit. While they never chased reinvention, their reliability became their identity. In a decade where many classic bands slowed down or fractured, Tankard stood as the eternal party that refused to end.

SEPULTURA (2016-2026)

Sepultura continued their post‑Cavalera era with confidence. Machine Messiah (2017) and Quadra (2020) were some of the strongest albums of the Derrick Green era, blending thrash, groove, and progressive elements. It was really the first time in thirty years that Sepultura brought back the thrash elements into their music. The lineup of Derrick Green, Andreas Kisser, Paulo Jr., and Eloy Casagrande remained stable until Casagrande’s departure in 2023.

By the mid‑2020s, Sepultura announced a farewell tour, closing the book on one of thrash’s most complex and evolving legacies.

Sepultura - Machine Messiah (2017)

SACRED REICH (2016-2026)

Sacred Reich returned with Awakening (2019), their first album in over two decades. The reunion lineup included the return of drummer Dave McClain, giving the band a renewed sense of power. They toured steadily through the early 2020s, becoming a reliable presence on festival bills and nostalgia‑driven tours.

ANNIHILATOR (2016-2026)

Jeff Waters kept Annihilator moving at his usual relentless pace. For the Demented (2017) and Ballistic, Sadistic (2020) continued the band’s tradition of high‑speed, high‑precision thrash with Waters handling most instruments in the studio. Lineups shifted constantly, as always but the band remained active both in the studio and on the road. In 2022 they released Metal II.

VOIVOD (2016-2026)

Voivod entered a late‑career creative renaissance. The Wake (2018) and Synchro Anarchy (2022) were critically acclaimed, blending thrash, prog, and avant‑garde metal with the confidence of a band that had nothing left to prove. The lineup Snake, Chewy, Rocky, and Away stayed stable, and Voivod became one of the most artistically respected thrash bands of the era.

Voivod - Synchro Anarchy (2022)

CORONER (2016-2026)

Coroner’s long‑running reunion continued, though new material remained elusive. They toured selectively and worked on new music throughout the 2010s and 2020s, but no full album emerged. Still, their influence grew as younger bands rediscovered their technical, progressive approach. But then in 2025 they finally released their comeback album Dissonance Theory, their first since 1993's Grin.

Coroner - Dissonance Theory (2025)

FORBIDDEN (2016-2026)

Forbidden remained unactive at first but then reunited in the early 2020s with a refreshed lineup including Chris Kontos and Steve Smyth. Rest In Peace to guitarist Tim Calvert who passed away in 2018. They began working on new material and returned to the festival circuit, marking one of the more surprising thrash comebacks of the decade. Since 2023 Norman Skinner has handled the vocals, replacing the irreplacable Russ Anderson.

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM (2016-2026)

Flotsam and Jetsam remained one of the most productive old‑guard bands. The End of Chaos (2019) and Blood in the Water (2021) showed a band still hungry, still sharp, and still capable of writing fast, melodic thrash with real bite. This was considered a comeback to form for the band that had struggled more or less since the early 90's. Their lineup stabilized around vocalist Eric “A.K.” Knutson and guitarist Michael Gilbert, giving them a strong late‑career identity.

Flotsam and Jetsam - Blood In The Water (2021)

TOM G. WARRIOR (2016-2026)

Tom G. Warrior (Formerly of Hellhammer and Celtic Frost) spent this decade deepening his legacy as one of extreme metal’s most important and uncompromising figures. While not strictly thrash, his influence on the genre, especially its darker, more avant‑garde edges remained enormous.

With Triptykon, he released Requiem (Live at Roadburn) in 2020, completing the long‑gestating classical/metal hybrid that began in the Celtic Frost era. Triptykon continued performing select shows, often with elaborate staging and a focus on atmosphere over volume.

Warrior also remained heavily involved in preserving the legacy of Celtic Frost, overseeing reissues, archival projects, and public statements clarifying the band’s history. His role as a curator of his own past became almost as important as his new music.

In the mid‑2020s, he continued working on new Triptykon material and maintained his presence as a respected elder statesman of extreme metal. Articulate, uncompromising, and still creatively restless.

RAZOR (2016-2026)
Razor’s last ten years was defined by a long‑awaited return to the studio and a renewed presence on the festival circuit. After decades of sporadic activity, they finally released Cycle of Contempt (2022), their first album since 1997. The record captured their trademark speed‑driven, no‑nonsense aggression, even though it didn't compare to their classic 80's material.

The lineup centered around Dave Carlo and Bob Reid, with the rhythm section shifting over the years but the core identity staying intact. Razor didn’t suddenly become a touring machine, but their selective festival appearances and the new album gave them a late‑career resurgence that fans had been waiting for since the 90s. In 2026, 80's era Razor drummer Mike Embro passed away.

Razor - Cycle of Contempt (2022)

ARTILLERY (2016-2026)

The Danish veterans stayed remarkably productive. Penalty by Perception (2016), The Face of Fear (2018), and X (2021) showed a band still writing sharp, melodic thrash. The death of founding guitarist Morten Stützer in 2019 was a major blow, but Artillery continued with dignity, honoring his legacy through new music and touring.

ONSLAUGHT (2016-2026)

Onslaught remained one of the most aggressive old‑school thrash bands. Generation Antichrist (2020) delivered their trademark brutality with a refreshed lineup. Vocalist changes were frequent, but the band’s intensity never wavered. In 2025 the band released Origins of Aggression.

HIRAX (2016-2026)

Katon W. De Pena kept Hirax alive through selective touring and EP releases. Hirax cult status remained strong especially in South America and Europe. In 2025 Hirax released Fastert Than Death, their first full-length in 11 years.

D.R.I. (2016-2026)

D.R.I. continued their hybrid thrash‑hardcore legacy with constant touring and occasional studio activity. The But Wait… There’s More! EP (2016) was their only new release, but their live presence stayed consistent.

DARK ANGEL (2016-2026)

Dark Angel’s reunion gained momentum in the 2020s, with the band working on long‑promised new material. Gene Hoglan’s return gave them renewed credibility, and they became a major draw on festival lineups, In 2025 they finally released their comeback album Extinction Level Event, their first record since 1991's Time Does Not Heal, but unfortunately their new record scored rather bad reviews.

METAL CHURCH (2016-2026)

Metal Church spent the last ten years in a cycle of revival, tragedy, and reinvention.

The return of vocalist Mike Howe brought a major creative upswing with XI (2016) and Damned If You Do (2018), both praised as true returns to their late‑80s power‑thrash identity. But Howe’s death in 2021 hit the band brutally hard and ended that era overnight.

Kurdt Vanderhoof chose to continue, bringing in Marc Lopes (Ross the Boss) as the new singer and releasing Congregation of Annihilation (2023), a harsher, more aggressive record that pushed the band into a new direction. In 2023 the tragedy struck again as Metal Church's ex-drummer Kirk Arrington passed away. Despite lineup shifts around drums and bass, Metal Church stayed active, touring selectively and proving they weren’t ready to fade out.