7-String Guitars in Thrash Metal: A Genre Definition and Instrument Choice

When it comes to defining thrash metal, the debate over instrument choice can often cloud the clearer distinctions of style and sound. Let’s delve into the nuances of thrash metal and explore whether the number of strings on a guitar really matters. We'll also examine how bands like Nevermore and others have adapted their sound and gear to push the boundaries of what thrash can be.

What is Thrash Metal?

Thrash metal emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s as a metal subgenre that generally incorporates Machine Speed, complex guitar riffs, and fast-paced, double-bass drumming. Known for its aggressive vocals, high-speed tempos, and thrashing imagery, thrash metal has become a defining sound in the metal genre. Despite its clear sonic characteristics, there are often debates and gray areas—like the debate over whether a band using a 7-string guitar is still 'truly' thrash.

Is It Really About the Number of Strings?

The number of strings on a guitar is not a defining characteristic of a genre. Thrash metal is primarily about the style and the sound, not the gear. A 7-string guitar can be perfectly used to achieve the intense, high-speed thrash sound that defines the genre. Steve Smyth, for example, played a seven-string guitar in Forbidden on their album Ωmega Wave, and that album is still recognized as thrash metal. Widespread Panic’s guitarist Steve Jordan even uses a 7-string on some of his solo projects, further blurring the lines between 6-string and 7-string approaches.

Examples of 7-String Guitars in Thrash

Consider Nevermore and their former guitarist, Jeff Loomis, who used a 7-string guitar during the recording of their album Dead Heart in a Dead World. Regardless of whether one argues that Nevermore was fully 'truly' a thrash metal band, their pedigree and recognition in the metal community is solid. Other bands and even albums have also embraced 7-string guitars while maintaining a thrash metal sound. For instance, Meshuggah's album Contradictions Collapse uses a 7-string guitar, played by Frederik Thordendal, and the album is still considered a thrash masterpiece.

Adapting Gear to Thrash Sound

The key to achieving thrash metal’s aggressive sound is not the number of strings, but rather the implementation of complex harmonies, fast picking, and a driving rhythm section. Bands like Death Angel have even experimented with alternate tunings, such as C and B, which can be achieved on a 6-string guitar. These tunings might change the open strings but maintain the essence of thrash metal’s sound.

The Conclusion

Ultimately, the style and sound are the defining factors of a genre, not the number of strings on a guitar. Thrash metal has always had a wide range of gear preferences, from classic multi-string setups to more experimental configurations. While 7-string guitars can contribute to the raw and aggressive sound, they are not a requirement to be considered thrash metal. What truly matters is the music, the energy, and the thrashing spirit that define the genre.

Bands like Nevermore, Death Angel, and even less well-known acts have shown that thrash metal can be played with a variety of gears and tunings—ranging from 6-strings to 7-strings, as long as the music aligns with the genre's core attributes. So, whether a band plays thrash on a 7-string guitar or a more traditional 6-string, the vital factor is the sound and the style, not the number of strings.