Metal Church originally formed as Shrapnel in 1981, with Mick Murray on vocals, Kirk Arrington on drums, Craig Wells and Kurdt Vanderhoof on guitars, and Duke Erickson on bass.

Motörhead is a British heavy metal band formed in 1975 by bassist.

Slayer is an American thrash metal band, founded in Huntington Park, California, in 1982 by Tom Araya.

Metallica is an American heavy metal band, formed in October 1981.

Megadeth is an American speed/heavy/thrash metal band led by Dave Mustaine.

Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1982 in San Francisco, California, by Kirk Hammett, Tom Hunting, Paul Baloff, Geoff Andrews, and Gary Holt.

Artillery is a Danish thrash metal band that was active during the 1980s and participated in the early development of the genere.

Anthrax was formed in 1981 by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker, who, after a few early changes, were joined by drummer Charlie Benante, guitarist Dan Spitz, and vocalist Neil Turbin.

Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band that began as a thrash metal group in 1984.

Pantera was a popular heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas, that formed in 1981.

Diamond Head are a British heavy metal band formed in 1976 in Stourbridge, England.

Testament was formed in the San Francisco area in 1983 by guitarist Eric Peterson and his friend, Derrick Ramirez, also a guitarist, originally using the name Legacy.

Cacophony is a United States shred guitar/speed metal band formed in 1986 by guitarists Marty Friedman and Jason Becker.