response: Well thrash metal is a genre of metal that is known for fast tempo and aggression
history: I have a new girlfriend who's really into heavy metal music, so I need a quick crash course. Good bands, brief history, that kind of thing. OK, well heavy metal, also known as just metal, began in the 1960s and 70s in the United Kingdom How is that possible? People from the UK just seem so...harmless! Ha.  Looks can be decieving.  In 1968 three major metal bands formed:  Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and Led Zeppelin. I've definitely heard of the first and third from that list, but I've never really thought of Led Zeppelin as heavy metal. Will she buy it if I mention them? The bands have a number of influences. Music such as those of the blues, folk, and psychedelia. Hm. I never thought blues or folk could really inspire them into heavy metal. Is any other metal types out there for me to talk to her about? There are underground scenes. Thrash metal like Metallica and Slayer became mainstream. Others like death metal or black metal are still niche. Okay. Sounds great. Can you tell me a little about why it is called thrash for Metallica and stuff though?
knowledge: Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is a subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and often fast tempo.