These are just a few of the more well-known bands, obviously there are others, but these bands are the ones I have been listening to the most. I considered putting Anvil in here, but decided they were more of a power/traditional metal band, despite some clear influences on the thrash metal genre in Canada.
EXCITERFavorite Album: Heavy Metal Maniac
Ottawa, Ontario's Exciter is similar to Anvil in that they are not technically a thrash metal band, but they are a little closer, being a speed metal band. However, they are widely considered one of the first speed metal band and a major influence on thrash metal. This album is the band's debut after changing their name from hell Razor, released in 1983. It is melodic and fast, but still has some very clear thrash metal riffs. The band is still active.
SACRIFICEFavorite Album: Forward to Termination
Quite possibly one of the most underrated thrash metal bands from the 1980's, Sacrifice formed in Toronto, Ontario. Every bit as lethal as Exodus, Testament, Overkill, and others, Sacrifice never quite got the attention they deserved. Featuring brutally fast, razor-sharp riffs, Sacrifice was an incredible band. This is the band's second album and is the album where the band really came into their own. Sacrifice recently reunited after breaking up for several years and released a new album.
SLAUGHTERFavorite Album: Strappado
Also from Toronto, I have done several posts on this band. Slaughter is one of the major influences on death metal, performing a style of thrash metal similar to Hellhammer and often described as Black Sabbath playing punk rock. Their heavy, down-tuned riffs and extreme vocal styles were utilized by early progenitors of the sound. Chuck Schuldiner was even briefly a member of Slaughter. This is the band's only official album.
ANNIHILATORFavorite Album: Alice in Hell
Ottawa's Annihilator is often called the Canadian Van Halen. The band's only permanent member is guitarist Jeff Waters who writes all of the band's music. Waters is an extremely gifted musician, able to write incredibly catchy and infectious music. The band's downfall has been the inability to find a suitable vocalist for a long period of time. This is the band's debut album and the band is still active.
RAZORFavorite Album: Violent Restitution
Another extremely underrated thrash metal band is Razor, which formed in Guelph, Ontario in 1984. Sacrifice is at least mentioned frequently, Razor hardly gets any mention at all. The band has been extremely consistent in putting forth some excellent thrash metal albums. This is the band's seventh album, released in 1988. The band was also incredibly prolific in their early years, forming in 1984. The band reformed in 2005 with plans to record another album.
VOIVODFavorite Album: Nothingface
We finish things up with the most well-known Canadian thrash metal band, Jonquiere, Quebec's Voivod. One of the strangest bands to play thrash metal, and one of the earliest to begin adding progressive elements to their sound, Voivod was massively influential. The band crafted their own sound and a strong science fiction lyrical bent. This is the band's fifth album and is their masterpiece, it still has some elements of their thrash metal style, but is much more progressive. The band recently issued their final album, choosing not to carry forward after the death of principal songwriter and guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour.
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