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.
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.
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.
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.