Label

'Bonded By Blood' is the debut studio album by Exodus. Although the album was completed in the summer of 1984, it was not released until 1985 due to issues their record label. It is considered one of the most influential thrash metal albums of all time. This is also the only full-length studio album of Exodus to feature Paul Baloff on vocals.

'Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!' is the debut studio album by Megadeth, released on Combat Records. The band was given $8,000 by the label to record and produce the album, but after spending half of the album's budget on drugs, alcohol and food, the band was forced to fire their original producer and produce the album themselves. Despite the resulting poor production, the album was a well-received effort that obtained strong reviews in various music publications. The album played an essential role in establishing thrash metal as an authentic subgenre of heavy metal music.

'Vicious Attack' is the debut studio album by Abattoir.

'Seven Churches' is the debut studio album by Possessed. The album title refers to the Seven Churches of Asia mentioned in the Book of Revelation. "The Exorcist" begins with producer Randy Burns' version of Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells', performed as it was in the 1973 horror film of the same name. 'Seven Churches' is widely regarded as the first death metal album to exist, and About.com named it one of the ten essential albums of the genre. Jeff Becerra and Larry Lalonde were only 16 when the album was recorded.

'American Assault' is an E.P. by Venom. It was only released in the U.S.A.

'The Force' is the second studio album by Onslaught. More successful than their previous album, Power From Hell (1985), The Force is considered a thrash metal classic by fans and critics, and the band's first to feature Sy Keeler on vocals. He would depart in 1988, only to return for the 2007 album Killing Peace.

'The Return Of... Martha Splatterhead' is the debut album (but second release overall) by The Accused. All tracks fron the the band's earlier E.P. are included.

'The Only Safe Place' is the second studio album by Abattoir.

'Beyond The Gates' is the second studio album by Possessed. Taking a different direction from their debut, 'Seven Churches', it has a more technical feeling and, due to poor production, a muddy sound. Reception was mixed, with some critics and fans being very disappointed by the album for the sound and production, while others were satisfied with the new direction of the band. Over the years, fans have slowly appreciated 'Beyond The Gates' and have even considered it being an "underrated masterpiece" and "overlooked classic".

'The Eyes Of Horror' is an E.P. by Possessed. It was produced by guitarist Joe Satriani.

'Pleasures Of The Flesh' is the second album by Exodus. It is the group's first album to feature Steve Souza on vocals after Paul Baloff was fired from the band.

'Moshkinstein' is the debut studio E.P. by Acid Reign. The title was the same name used on the band's demo from the previous year, and shows some of the sense of humour that is injected throughout the band's recordings.

'Altars Of Madness' is the debut studio album by Morbid Angel. The album was recorded in December 1988 at Morrisound Recording in Tampa, Florida. The album is one of the earliest examples of death metal and is considered to have helped pioneer the sound along with Possessed's 'Seven Churches' in 1985 and Death's 'Scream Bloody Gore' in 1987, and set a new precedent for heaviness and extremity, both musically and lyrically. It is one of the most celebrated albums in death metal, and one of the most influential heavy metal albums of all time.