Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer and Megadeth are considered the Big 4 of Thrash Metal, but Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante believes that it was NWOBHM legends Iron Maiden who created Thrash.
Benante made the comments during a new interview with The Metal Voice to discuss Anthrax's forthcoming covers album "Silver Linings", where the band also recruited some big name musicians to take on the classic songs.
Charlie was asked about the band's cover of Iron Maiden's classic track "Transylvania." He said, "First Time I saw Iron Maiden was with Paul Di'Anno it was at the Palladium in New York. They opened up for Judas Priest and I went both nights.
"When Iron Maiden came on, the excitement and that feeling that I was witnessing something for the first time that I don't know if I will ever see again, it was so amazing.
"That band for me since day one was the reason that I think we started a band to model our band like Iron Maiden. I think they single handedly created the form of music that became thrash metal." Watch the full interview below:
Iron Maiden Celebrate 40th Anniversary Of 'Powerslave' With Limited Edition
Cause Of Death For Iron Maiden's Paul Di'Anno Revealed
Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson Reveals Biggest Fear With Cancer Fight
Censored Iron Maiden Cover Explained By Derek Riggs
Hot In The City: Lou Malnati's Pizzeria Opens in Surprise, Arizona
What's Doing With Dave Koz? Christmas Carols and Cool Cruises!
On The Record: Craft Recordings Announces Record Store Day Exclusives
Live: T Bone Burnett Rocks Phoenix
Iron Maiden Offshoot Smith/Kotzen Stream 'White Noise' Video
Coheed and Cambria 'Searching for Tomorrow' As They Announce New Album
SKILLET Announce Kingdom Of Rock Book
4 Non Blondes' 'What's Up?' Joins Spotify Billions Club
Marky Ramones Holiday Blitzkrieg Shows Announced
Ad Infinitum Deliver 'Anthem For The Broken' Video
Jethro Tull Share 'Jack Frost and Hooded Crow' Remix From Christmas Album
Airforce Returning With First New Album In Five Years 'Acts of Madness'