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Alicia Keys: The Soulful Songstress and Her Musical Journey

June 23, 2024

Alicia Keys, born Alicia Augello Cook on January 25, 1981, in New York City, is an artist whose influence and talent have transcended musical genres and generations. With her powerful voice...

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Armaan Malik: The Melodic Maestro of Modern Indian Music

June 23, 2024

Armaan Malik, born on July 22, 1995, in Mumbai, India, is a name that resonates with melody, versatility, and youthful charm. As one of the most prominent voices in contemporary Indian music...

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Mitraz: The Rising Star of Indian Pop Music

June 23, 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of Indian music, a new artist is making waves with his fresh sound and heartfelt lyrics. Mitraz, an emerging star in the Indian pop music scene, has captivated...

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George Strait Shatters US Concert Attendance Record at Kyle Field

June 23, 2024

Country music legend George Strait has once again demonstrated his unparalleled star power by breaking the record for the largest concert ever held in the United States. His recent performance at...

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Katy Perry Teases New Album with Single "Woman’s World"

June 22, 2024

Katy Perry is once again stirring excitement in the music world with the announcement of her upcoming single, "Woman’s World," heralding a new album that promises to continue her dynamic presence...

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Carrie Underwood Marks 50th Show of "Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency"

Carrie Underwood celebrated a major milestone in her illustrious career on June 1, as she performed her 50th show in the "Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency" at Resorts World Theatre. This...

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Inside Taylor Swift's feud with Charli XCX from song dig to ex-boyfriend connection

June 22, 2024

Charli XCX's latest album, BRAT, has garnered critical acclaim, yet it has also reignited rumors of a feud with Taylor Swift. Despite having opened for Taylor on her Reputation tour, Charli's new...

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Post Malone Announces Highly Anticipated New Album 'F-1 Trillion' Set for August Release

June 22, 2024

Post Malone is currently riding a wave of success, standing at the pinnacle of the Billboard Hot 100 with his Morgan Wallen duet "I Had Some Help." In an exciting development, he has announced the...

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Rihanna Says New Album Will Represent ‘Evolution’ of Time She ‘Spent Away’ From Music

June 22, 2024

Rihanna, the multifaceted artist and entrepreneur, has kept fans eagerly awaiting her next album since the release of ANTI in 2016. In a recent interview with Extra TV, she finally provided some...

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Coldplay To Make New Album On Vinyl From Recycled Plastic Bottles

June 22, 2024

Coldplay has announced an innovative and eco-friendly initiative for their upcoming album Moon Music, which will be produced on vinyl made from recycled plastic bottles. The British band aims to...

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Jimin of BTS Announces Second Solo Album 'MUSE,' Set for Release This Summer

June 22, 2024

Jimin, one of the standout members of the globally renowned boy band BTS, has stirred excitement once again with the announcement of his second solo album, titled "MUSE." The announcement was made...

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BLACKPINK’s LISA Gears Up for Solo Stardom with New Single ‘Rockstar’

June 22, 2024

BLACKPINK’s LISA has just announced her new solo single, “Rockstar,” set to arrive on June 27 at 8 p.m. ET. This highly anticipated track marks her first release since signing with RCA Records...

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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.