Crossover thrash

Crossover thrash (often abbreviated to crossover) is a form of thrash metal and hardcore punk which had mixed both genres together or had influences from each other. The genre lies on a continuum between heavy metal and punk rock. Other genres on the same continuum have significant overlap with crossover thrash, and besides traditional hardcore punk and thrash metal, include related styles such as thrashcore, grindcore and skate punk.

Terminological ambiguity

The genre is often confused with thrashcore, which is essentially a faster hardcore punk rather than a more punk-oriented form of metal.^[1][2] Throughout the early and mid 1980s, the term "thrash" was often used as a synonym for hardcore punk (as in the New York Thrash compilation of 1982). The term "thrashcore" to distinguish acts of the genre from others was not coined until at least 1993.^[3] Many crossover bands, such as D.R.I., began as influential thrashcore bands.^[1] The "-core" suffix of "thrashcore" is sometimes used to distinguish it from crossover thrash and thrash metal, the latter of which is often referred to simply as "thrash", which in turn is rarely used to refer to crossover thrash or thrashcore. Thrashcore is occasionally used by the music press to refer to thrash metal-inflected metalcore.^[4]

History

Crossover thrash evolved when performers in metal began borrowing elements of hardcore punk's music. Void and their 1982 Split LP with fellow D.C. band The Faith are hailed as one of the earliest examples of hardcore/heavy metal crossover and their chaotic musical approach is often cited as particularly influential.^[5][6][7] Punk-based metal bands generally evolved into the genre by developing a more technically advanced approach than the average hardcore outfit (which focused on very fast tempos and very brief songs),^[8] these bands were more metal-sounding and aggressive than traditional hardcore punk and thrashcore.^[9]

Mike Muir frontman of Crossover thrash band Suicidal Tendencies

Other prominent crossover thrash groups include Nuclear Assault, Stormtroopers of Death,^[16][23] Hogan's Heroes,^[24][25][26] SSD, Cryptic Slaughter, The Boneless Ones, The Exploited, and Discharge.

Musical characteristics

Crossover incorporates fast paced groove metal (sometimes referred to as post-thrash). Drumming is typically done at high speed, with D-beats sometimes being used.^[27]

List of crossover thrash bands

References

Bibliography

• American Hardcore: A Tribal History. Los Angeles, CA: Feral House. ISBN 0-922915-71-7
• Waksman, Steve (2009). This Ain't the Summer of Love: Conflict and Crossover in Heavy Metal and Punk. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-25310-0