The history of black metal is inextricably linked to that of thrash metal, as some of the same groups pioneered both subgenres and extreme metal in general. In cases fair and not, certain thrash bands have been labeled as part of black metal’s “first wave.” Owing also to factors as thrash’s infectious greatness, its influence is pervasive in black metal and has colored countless of the movement’s classics.
Today, the special phenomenon known as black-thrash continues to flourish. Meanwhile, entities like the “black deathrashing metal” stalwarts Vulture Lord similarly hearken back to the roots of brutal sonic steel. Vulture Lord have created absolutely superb covers of the thrashy extreme metal opuses “Lord of Vice” by Deliverance, “Dominios of Death” by Vulcano and “Jaws of Satan” by Sathanas.
READ MORE: 5 Best Black Metal Covers of Iron Maiden Songs
Abbath’s rendition of Metallica’s “Trapped Under Ice” serves as a prime example of a time when a thrash banger truly seemed as if it had been written for a black metal act. Besides Abbath, an endless list of other black metal artists have successfully tackled thrash metal numbers, including Rotting Christ, Nordjevel, Doedsvangr, Katechon, Svarttjern, Nifelheim, Old Man’s Child, Cradle of Filth, Moonsorrow, Mork, 1349, Enthroned, Arckanum, Alghazanth, and Dark Funeral.
1. Sarkom – “Sodomy and Lust” (Sodom Cover)
Norway’s Sarkom, who rank among black metal’s most fun and charismatic acts, have crafted some of the art form’s most thrilling covers. These titans wisely chose to end the unforgettable masterpiece that is Anti-Cosmic Art (2016) with their reinterpretation of Sodom’s “Sodomy and Lust.” As an Anti-Cosmic Art vinyl-edition bonus, Sarkom also treated listeners to arguably the best black metal cover of Black Sabbath with their performance of “Symptom of the Universe.”
2. Urgehal – “Ripping Corpse” (Kreator Cover)
On Urgehal’s third album, Atomkinder (2001), the legends from Hønefoss presented their incredibly sinister version of Kreator’s “Ripping Corpse,” boasting raw vocals that seem to perfectly convey the essence of evil. This uniquely dark audial relic is directly followed by a must-hear cover of Sepultura’s “Antichrist.”
3. Khold – “Dommens Armé” (Sepultura Cover)
The Norwegian Grammy-nominated Khold unleashed “Dommens Armé,” their glorious spin on Sepultura’s “Troops of Doom,” on Til Endes (2014). The composition showcases a cast of top-notch talents, including Gard on vocals and guitars, Rinn on guitars, Sarke on drums, and Crowbel on bass.
4. Marduk – “Sex with Satan” (Piledriver Cover)
Marduk’s take on Piledriver’s painfully catchy “Sex with Satan” amounts to a highly addictive and amusing triumph of libido. This guilty pleasure premiered on the EP Glorification (1996), which contains Marduk’s reimagining of additional worthy songs, including Destruction’s “Total Desaster,” Bathory’s “The Return of Darkness & Evil,” and Venom’s “Hellchild.”
5. Dissection – “The Antichrist” (Slayer Cover)
Dissection’s energetic and hard-hitting reenvisioning of Slayer’s “The Antichrist” stands out by virtue of the disbanded outfit’s remarkable skill, thanks in large part to mainman Jon Nödtveidt. This track debuted on the first volume of Black Sun Records’ Slatanic Slaughter (A Tribute to Slayer) (1995) and would later resurface on the EP Where Dead Angels Lie (1996).
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