How does every single album by thrash metal's 'Big 4' stack up from worst to best? You're about ti find out!

Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax have released a combined total of 49 studio albums, not including Lulu, which was Metallica's divisive collaborative record with Lou Reed.

The band with the most albums of the bunch? That would be Megadeth at 16!

As with pretty much every musical artist ever, there are high and low points among each individual discography. There are timeless classics, impressive late-career releases and some misguided or just plain not so good, which is what makes ranking this collective catalog especially difficult.

READ MORE: The Most Played Song Live Off Each Album by Thrash's 'Big 4' (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax)

Of all the eras, the '90s presented challenges for each of the Big 4 bands. Not only did the musical climate change, these musicians also evolved and experimented with new sounds in radically different ways. Anthrax and Megadeth had to navigate a myriad of lineup changes, Slayer mostly stayed the course, save for some groove metal dabblings on Diabolus in Musica and Metallica became too big to fail, growing in popularity amid a trio of albums that left '80s headbangers scratching their heads.

In the 21st century, each band regained their footing, starting to resemble their more classic form at different points. And while Slayer completed a farewell tour, a couple of festival appearances in 2024 gave us some relief that the band may not be retired in full forever.

Now, let's see how these 49 'Big 4' albums rank from worst to best below!

Contributions by Philip Trapp, Ed Rivadavia, Jordan Blum, Ayron Rutan and Joe DiVita.

Every Thrash Metal 'Big 4' Album Ranked

Every album by Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax get ranked worst to best.

Contributions by Philip Trapp, Ed Rivadavia, Jordan Blum, Ayron Rutan and Joe DiVita.

Gallery Credit: Loudwire Staff

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Gallery Credit: Jordan Blum

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