Metallica
Slayer
Megadeth
Anthrax

...and one more.

There's a gap in my classic thrash which means I'm more into Voivod than the others listed, but I'm sure thrashers on the forum will have plenty to pass judgement upon.

Have at it, and link to videos by all means.

Destruction

I feel like the list is lacking in german bands, but I'd choose between Voivod, Dark Angel and Nuclear Assault, Voivod being the most consistent one by far.
I'd easily drop Anthrax and maybe Megadeth from the big four, though.
Sepultura could be in that list as well.
Other underrated bands include Anacrusis, Coroner and Forbidden.

Sepultura are fantastic, but I think of them as "second wave" to some extent. This is unjustified as they did form in '84! Maybe it is bias simply because I did not know of them until later on

Sodom are strong contenders!

as you mention, Sepultura is definitely less "second wave" than many on that list. They would be my pick.

the best band overall on the list by far is Voivod, of course. But they were so much more than a thrash band

I don't think Sepultura start out as a thrash band do they? That's perhaps why they're thought of as second wave.

Doubtless there are plenty of European bands overlooked, Sodom being the egregious miss. I'm sure the odd UK thrasher insists Acid Reign should be in too!

Gonna give it to Voivod, with Testament at a close second.

I listened to Killing Technology a couple of days ago. So good.

There was a great episode of Latino USA recently about metal in Latin America, and they hone in on Sepultura. Well worth a listen.

https://www.latinousa.org/2019/12/17/heavymetal/

Out of the Big Four I only like Slayer, but outside of those I pick Exciter.

I voted Voivod but I can't imagine they would rank very high among the "greater population". I'm guessing Exodus or Testament would be more popular.

That time in 1991/2 when Igor came over to our place in Cronulla Sydney to jam. He was lovely. My friend Barry has a group pic with him and all of us somewhere, but it is buried in storage