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PartyNextDoor's Resentment

October 5, 2023

Resentment" stands out among emotional ballads and provides listeners with a musical haven in which to confront and work through their own inner issues...

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Alan Walker: A Resurgence of Nostalgia Through Timeless Beats

October 4, 2023

What makes Alan Walker's music so special is its ability to evoke a profound sense of nostalgia. His songs are often associated with the 2010s, a time when many people were just enjoying their youth..

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Snotty Nose Rez Kids: Truth & Reconciliation Through Music

October 2, 2023

This year, we shine a spotlight on The Snotty Nose Rez Kids, a dynamic, ultra-talented, Indigenous hip-hop duo whose music and activism spreads the message of truth and reconciliation through rap.

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The Rise of Madison Beer: From YouTube Sensation to Superstardom

September 29, 2023

Madison Beer's journey began in the most modern of ways: on the internet. Born on March 5, 1999, in Jericho, New York, Madison was introduced to music at a young age...

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Olivia Rodrigo Strikers Gold Again with “GUTS”

September 29, 2023

After a long two year wait since the release of her first breakout album “Sour”, Olivia Rodrigo is back with her sophomore album, “GUTS.” Olivia Rodrigo has been a revelation in the music...

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Boys Planet: Where Are They Now?

September 29, 2023

Throughout the show, the trainees trained rap, dance, and vocal skills through a variety of battles. On April 20, 2023, the nine members of ZEROBASEONE (ZB1) were announced....

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Lil Tecca's Tec: Album Review

September 27, 2023

The highly awaited sophomore album from Lil Tecca, the 21-year-old hip-hop sensation, is called "TEC," and it's safe to say that it demonstrates the artist's development and professional maturity...

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"Slime You Out": Drake and SZA's Lyrical Alchemy

September 27, 2023

Drake and SZA, has recently swept the globe with their most recent single, "Slime You Out." This unique and intriguing song has already attracted a lot of attention...

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Laufey: The Jazz Sensation Reigniting the Genre's Flame

September 25, 2023

What sets Laufey apart is her unique fusion of jazz, folk, and pop elements, creating a sound that resonates with both jazz enthusiasts and a younger audience...

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Introducing JYP And Republic Records American Girl Group: VCHA

September 25, 2023

For the past few months, K-pop fans have turned to the new reality competition that is America 2 Korea (A2K). The show’s premise involves contestants earning “stones” ...

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BTS To Renew Contracts With Big Hit Music

September 22, 2023

In a move that’s sure to thrill ARMYs around the world, all seven BTS members have officially committed to renewing their contracts with BigHit Music and HYBE...

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The New Era of SM Entertainment: The Debut of RIIZE

September 22, 2023

Alongside RCA Records in the States, SM Entertainment’s newest boy group, RIIZE, is showing enormous promise in the growing music market...

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Thrash Metal - An Aging Genre

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Photo Source: Amy Harris

This article will discuss the rise and fall of an iconic style of music: thrash metal. 

The thrash metal genre emerged in the early 1980s. Characterized by intricate guitar use, lightning-fast tempos, and its overall bold, aggressive themes, thrash was groundbreaking and quickly became popular among young people. Aside from the music itself,  thrash resonated with many teenagers due to its anti-mainstream undertones. Thrash metal was often used as a way to rebel against one's parents and was used by many to establish an identity distinct from their mothers and fathers. 

As the years went by, thrash metal continued to increase in popularity, and more thrash bands were formed. Driven primarily by the efforts of Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer, and Megadeth, which are collectively known as the ‘big 4 of thrash metal’, thrash had reached mainstream levels of exposure by the mid 1990s. 

However, similar to what occurs with many other genres of music, the peak of thrash metal did not last. This was due in part to the appearance of new genres of music in the 1990s like alternative rock and grunge, and the creation of a number of new sub-genres of metal which removed the focus from thrash metal itself. 

Although it is no longer at its former level of glory, thrash metal is far from extinct. I personally have had the privilege of seeing some of the greatest thrash metal bands perform live over the past couple of years, including Megadeth, Metallica, Exodus, Testament, and Kreator. Watching these talented musicians play somehow made me feel a deep sense of nostalgia for a time when I wasn’t even born yet, and although these performers are now in their 60s, and the majority of their fan base has aged with them, their music has a sense of timelessness. While the artists themselves and their original supporters won’t be around forever, and the majority of today’s youth are interested in newer forms of music, there are still some young people who listen to thrash and are keeping the unique genre alive. Because of this, I still have hope that thrash metal can experience a resurgence in popularity and will exist for many future generations to enjoy.