Anthrax were formed in mid-1981 by guitarists Scott Ian (formerly of Four X) and Danny Lilker (formerly of White Heat). They found the name in a biology textbook and claimed it because it sounded sufficiently evil. Vocalist John Connelly (Nuclear Assault) joined, as did drummer Dave Weiss and a bassist named Kenny. Kenny was replaced very early on with Paul Kahn, who was found insufficient as well, so Danny Lilker took over on bass, and Greg Walls joined as second guitarist, Then Connelly and Weiss left, being replaced by Greg D'Angelo (White Lion) on drums, and after a series of vocalists (including Scott's brother Jason), they found Neil Turbin. This lineup gigged frequently locally, featuring original songs like "Satan's Wheels" (a song about drugs), "Hunting Dogs", and more, and also covers by Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Kiss, and more. The lineup recorded a NWOBHM-sounding demo in July, 1982. Greg Walls left in the summer of 1983, and his replacement was Bob Berry for a few gigs. Then, Dan Spitz (formerly of Overkill) joined the band, replacing Bob Berry. With Dan, a second demo was recorded. In September, Charlie Benante replaced Greg D'Angelo on drums. This lineup recorded the 'Soldiers of Metal' 7" single, produced by Ross the Boss (Manowar). The B-side of this single has one of the old demos with Greg D'Angelo on it, the only official recording with Greg! This demo got them a recording deal with Megaforce Records, for which they recorded their debut album, 'Fistful of Metal', in late 1983. It was released in January of 1984, and a US tour followed.
ARMED AND DANGEROUS (1985) CAROLINE
RECORDS/MEGAFORCE RECORDS INC
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Line-up: Additional musicians: Neil Turbin - Vocals on 6, 7 Danny Lilker - Bass on 6, 7 |
The 'Armed And Dangerous' EP was released in February of 1985, to warm the fans up to the 2 new guys in the band. Frank Bello replaced Danny Lilker (who went on to form Nuclear Assault) on bass. But most noticeable was the addition of the new singer, Joey Belladonna, who replaced Neil Turbin.
The new songs represented show a more mature band. The spacey intro, and the acoustic interlude works very well as a surprise tactic. The Joey's voice kicks in, and from first note you understand that Anthrax has a much better singer in the band now. His melodic approach, and wide range, was simply unique in thrash metal up until then. Then the rapid fire riffing kicks in, and it's all speed and thrash metal frenzy from there on out.
On the back of the cover it says that "Armed And Dangerous" and "Raise Hell" are special pre-release versions of the songs. So I reckon both were initially intended to be on 'Spreading The Disease'. Only the title track made it to the full length album. Thusly making this EP a necessary addition to the collection. And as if an exclusive studio track isn't enough, you also get 2 older songs, now recorded live with Joey and Frank. "God Save The Queen" is of course a Sex Pistols cover. The last two tracks on the EP are from the original 'Soldiers Of Metal' 7" single from 1983, produced by Manowar's Ross The Boss. These tracks have the line-up of Turbin, Ian, Spitz, Lilker and Benante. And since they also differ from the versions that ended up on 'Fistful Of Metal', I'd say they also help make this EP a necessity for any fan of Anthrax.
Rock trivia: The version
of "Howling Furies" that ends the EP is also said to be identical with one of
the demo version of the song. I'm not sure if this is true, because Megaforce
Records hired Ross The Boss to produce the songs on the single, so why would
they end up using the demo version of the song on the B-side? However, if it
is the demo version, it would mean that yet another constellation of the
band is on this EP. The demo was recorded by the line-up of Turbin, Ian, Spitz,
Lilker and D'Angelo.
SPREADING THE DISEASE (1985)
ISLAND/MEGAFORCE
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Line-up: Charlie Benante: Drums Scott Ian: Guitar Joey Belladonna: Vocals Dan Spitz: Guitar Frank Bello: Bass |
Being one of the best albums, and bands, of its genre, I can't help to wonder why I hadn't bought this a long time ago. Spooky buying an Anthrax album called 'Spreading The Disease' the day before this awful disease strikes in Florida in mid-2001! But this is all about the band, and their music. And this album was released when Anthrax were still synonymous with speed and thrash! It has this vibe only bands that don't take themselves too seriously can achieve. It's a lesson in fun and furious speed metal! A MUST!
I remember the video for "Madhouse" was frequently played on the music programs. And not only metal shows! Man the 80's were a great time! Coming home from school, seeing Anthrax and Metal Church videos being played on MTV, alongside videos of Wham and The Bangles!!
Killer tracks: Madhouse, Medusa, Gung-Ho
AMONG THE LIVING (1987)
ISLAND/MEGAFORCE
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Line-up: Charlie Benante: Drums Scott Ian: Rhythm Guitar Joey Belladonna: Vocals Dan Spitz: Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar on 8 Frank Bello: Bass Guitar
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'Among The Living' is hands down, the best speed/thrash metal album, EVER! Wow, what an incredible track-list! There is almost no fillers in sight, anywhere. Just good and fun speed/thrash, that only Anthrax could make. And if you think that Anthrax is only about being goofy, and writing fast riffs, just for the sake of it, then this is the album to prove you wrong. They were ahead of many contemporary bands. They even throw in some political statement in the fabulous "Indians". As a milestone in metal history, this album, together with 'Spreading The Disease', is a MUST!!!! If you can sit still during the entire "Caught In A Mosh" track, then you're probably not a metal head!
Killer tracks: Among The Living, Caught In A Mosh, I Am The Law, N.F.L., Indians
STATE OF EUPHORIA (1988)
ISLAND/MEGAFORCE
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Line-up: Charlie Benante: Drums Dan Spitz: Lead Guitar Joey Belladonna: Vocals Frank Bello: Bass Scott "NOT" Ian: Rhythm Guitar |
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The mosh-metal masters return with yet another killer thrash/speed metal album! I know many fans were let down by this album, but I don't think the band shows any signs of being weary. The lyrics might be less humorous this time, but the music is still no frills mosh! Scott Ian has to be one of the coolest rhythm guitarists out there, delivering riffs as if his life was depending on it. In my opinion 'State Of Euphoria' is just as good as most of Anthrax' back catalogue. "Antisocial" gave the band plenty of MTV airplay. This song is a cover by a French band called Trust. The original version was sung in the bands native language, and Anthrax recorded a French version as well. It appears on their 'Penikufesin' EP.
Killer tracks: Make Me Laugh, Antisocial, Now It's Dark, Misery Loves Company
Rock trivia: The band Trust, who originally recorded "Antisocial", once had a drummer called Nicko McBrain. He of course left for Iron Maiden. But in 2003 Nicko McBrain and Anthrax guitarist Dan Spitz both became Christians, and were working on a band-project together, called 70X7. The project never really took off though.
Promo-shot for the 'Penikufesin' release.
PENIKUFESIN
(1989) ISLAND/MEGAFORCE (EP)
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Line-up: Charlie Benante: Drums Scott Ian: Guitar Joey Belladonna: Vocals Dan Spitz: Guitar Frank Bello: Bass |
A really cool EP, that I waited the longest time to purchase. Turns out to be quite a rare item. The French version of "Antisocial" (originally recorded by Trust), a Ten Pole Tudor cover ("Friggin' In The Riggin", I always thought it was the Sex Pistols) and a KISS cover ("Parasite") are but some of the good tunes here. "Sects" is also a Trust song, and "Pipeline" is a Ventures cover. The title is spelled backwards, and they also released a OEDIVNIKUFESIN.
PERSISTENCE
OF TIME (1990) ISLAND/MEGAFORCE
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Line-up: Charlie Benante: Drums Dan Spitz: Lead Guitar Joey Belladonna: Vocals Frank Bello: Bass Scott Ian: Rhythm Guitar |
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'Persistence Of Time' was the last album Joey Belladonna would sing on. And I'm not sure if the band internal problems are what makes this album so mediocre. But I cannot say that I enjoy this album as much as I do all their previous efforts. Sure, there are some choice cuts presented here too. But too much of the material just sounds a bit dull. And with well over half of the songs clocking in at over 5 minutes, I think they tried to be a little more serious than they ought to be. They did have plenty of success with the cover of Joe Jackson's "Got The Time" though.
Killer tracks: Time, In My World, Belly Of The Beast, Got The Time
ATTACK OF THE KILLER B'S (1991) ISLAND/MEGAFORCE
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Line-up: Joey Belladonna:
Lead Vocals |
Anthrax used to have very cool B-sides on all of their 12" and 7" singles. So a compilation with many of them collected on one CD is a killer idea. Not only is this aptly titled thing a cool collector's item because of the material at hand, it also gives a song-by-song write-up and liner notes written by the band members.
The track-list is impeccable, and should leave any long time Anthrax fan salivating. "Milk (Ode To Billy)" and "Chromatic Death" are both remakes of S.O.D. songs, S.O.D. being the side-project in which Scott and Charlie teamed up with Billy Milano (M.O.D.) and Danny Lilker (Nuclear Assault, ex-Anthrax) and recorded the now legendary thrash/crossover sensation, 'Speak English Or Die' in 1985. So this is actually Scott and Charlie covering themselves!! "Bring The Noise" is another now legendary song, as it might be the first successful blend of metal and rap! Anthrax collaborated with Chuck D and his Public Enemy on this stinkin' heavy thrash 'n' rap bass frenzy. "Startin' Up A Posse" and "N.F.B. (Dallabnikufesin)" are previously unreleased tracks. The first one a freedom of speech rally, Anthrax style! The latter sees the New Yorkers make fun of power ballads. "Protest And Survive" is a Discharge cover, and was initially used as a bonus track on the Japanese edition of 'Persistence Of Time'. "I'm The Man '91" is a remake of the song from their 1987 EP. The new version is Anthrax doin' the rap/crossover thing without help from "real" rappers. "Parasite", "Pipeline" and "Sects" are all cover-songs that first appeared on the 1989 'Penikufesin' EP, that was never officially released in the U.S. However, Trust's "Sects" is this time added in an English version. The live tracks were recorded in December 1990 during the 'Persistence of Time' tour.
'Attack of the Killer B's' is essential in any Anthrax collection!
Anthrax anno 1993
SOUND OF WHITE NOISE (1993) ELEKTRA
(Limited Edition w/Skull-print)
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Line-up: Charlie Benante: Drums Scott Ian: Rhythm Guitar, 6-string Bass, Vocals John Bush: Vocals Dan Spitz: Lead Guitar Frank Bello: 4,6 & 12-string Bass Guitars, Vocals |
Raise your hands all of you who had written this band off, when Joey Belladonna left! I'm guilty, for sure. But I'm pleased to hear that we were all proven wrong. Because Armored Saint vocalist, John Bush, does a good job too. And best of all, this album contains some terrific tunes, the Anthrax way. Just listen to "Room For One More" and tell me that this doesn't sound like the New York loony's! And there are plenty of other examples. This album also spawned an MTV-hit, in the single "Black Lodge". I've owned this album before, then gotten rid of it. Then a friend gave me a copy, but I ended up selling it when I came across this special edition. The only thing special is an embossed print of a skull on the jewel case. What a rip off!
Killer tracks: Only, Room For One More, Invisible, Black Lodge
CLASSIC ANTHRAX
- THE UNIVERSAL MASTERS COLLECTION (2001) ISLAND/UNIVERSAL
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Compilation albums are so hit or miss. Anthrax were included to the Universal Masters Series in 2001, with these 15 career spanning tracks (up 'til Belladonna's exit, that is). This was the second compilation album from Anthrax, and Island Records, this year, and the following year saw even more compilation albums coming out! I'm not sure I'll even bother to go more in depth on this CD. If you're a fan you have all the songs, and the packaging isn't much to write home about either. "Pipeline" is a Ventures cover. And oh, who the heck put a picture of the Bush-era line-up on a Belladonna era compilation!!!???
THE COLLECTION
(2002) SPECTRUM
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This is a strange compilation album, the Joey Belladonna years. For some reason, this saw the light of day in 2002, over 10 years after Belladonna left the band. And the reunion in 2005 was not yet even a rumor. Even so, this is a decent retrospect of the bands back catalogue. I like the fact that they've added the cover of Kiss' "Parasite", as this shows an important side of the band. Also got to love that they've managed to add a track originally sung by Neil Turbin, here in a live version with Joey behind the microphone. If you look at the official Anthrax page, this album is not in the discography. Thus this have to have been released without their consent. The artwork for the compilation doesn't exactly fit either. But the write-up in the booklet is pretty cool.
Anthrax anno 2003
WE'VE COME FOR YOU ALL (2003) SANCTUARY/BMG
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Line-up: Charlie Benante: Drums, Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Occasional Noises Scott Ian: Rhythm Guitar, Vocals, Frequent Noises John Bush: Vocals Rob Caggiano - Bass, Occasional Noises Frank Bello: Bass, Vocals Guests: Dimebag Darrell - Lead on 8, 10 Roger Daltrey - Vocals on 11 Anthony Martini - Screams on 4 |
It doesn't come as a surprise that the John Bush-era of this band is not exactly my favorite. So I've owned this album for years already (boy, does time fly!), without coming up with anything in particular to write about it. OK, so the drumming in "Nobody Knows Anything" is crazy wicked, and the hooks on "Safe Home" (incidentally the single chosen from this album) are super catchy, and the production on the album is top notch. But other than that, this is just yet another album from the boys from Queens. In all fairness, this might be the bands most diverse album to date. A song like "Black Dahlia" even sports some super fast, black metal-ish breaks(!!), whilst "Cadillac Rock Box" delivers a throw back to the bands all time heroes, Kiss. And what is then more natural then to have Ace Frehley's biggest fan, "Dimebag" Darrell (Pantera) to do the leads? But mostly 'We've Come For You All' delivers that groovy, chunky, meaty metal they did so well with Bush behind the mic. It's not a bad thing, and this is certainly not a bad album at all. I guess it's mostly just not my thing. I think they could have stripped away maybe 5 or 6 songs, and the album would've been a lot better. But at least it's heaps better than the crap one of the other bands from the Big Four released this year.... After some minutes of silence during the last track, the album ends with someone playing the maracas and humming some weird rhythm! Anthrax used to have such great humor.
Rock trivia: This album was released not long after the incident with the anthrax-letters being discovered all over the US. This gave the band some unwanted attention, and in the trey card picture, we see them on stage in white dresses, each painted with a word, saying WE'RE NOT CHANGING OUR NAME. I wonder why Scott's not the one with NOT on his dress. That's been his nickname for ages!
Killer tracks: What Doesn't Die, Refuse To Be Denied, Safe Home, Any Place But Here, Strap It On
THE GREATER OF TWO EVILS (2004) SANCTUARY/BMG
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Line-up: Scott Ian: Rhythm & Lead Guitar, Background, Vocals Charlie Benante: Drums John Bush: Vocals Rob Caggiano: Lead Guitar Frank Bello: Bass Guitars, Background Vocals
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Getting this CD after I know that Anthrax just months later reunited with Joey Belladonna and Dan Spitz is a bit weird. Because what we get here is re-recorded versions of some of the greatest hits from the Turbin/Belladonna era of the band. And let me tell you right away; these are some of the most successful re-recordings of any bands old material. John is doing a phenomenal job singing these classics, and the band rips through theses songs like a cannonball through a wall! They've manage to update the songs, playing them heavier then ever before, without really altering the songs too much, but sticking rather close to the originals. "Deathrider" and "Metal Thrashing Mad" never sounded so good before! Since this CD was recorded over 2 days, it's a more or less live in the studio recording, giving the songs that raw, live feel. My only complaint would be that I'm a bit tired of the imagery Anthrax have started to use so much lately though. Pentagrams, inverted cross and goats are so uncool, it's beyond cheesy at this point. Oh, almost forgot; at the end of "Gung-Ho" there is some backward noodeling, and then they play another track, which I've been told is "Lone Justice", from 'Spreading The Disease'.
Scott Ian, Frank Bello, Joey Belladonna, Charlie Benante, Rob Caggiano
WORSHIP MUSIC (2011) NUCLEAR BLAST
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Line-up: Charlie Benante: Drums, Acoustic and Electric Guitar Rob Caggiano: Guitar Joey Belladonna: Vocals Frank Bello: Bass, Backing Vocals Scott Ian: Guitar, Backing Vocals Additional musician: Alison Chesley: Celloist |
The events leading up to this album is perhaps best described as a soap opera! Joey Belladonna returned to the band in 2005, but despite a rather successful tour he opted to leave again in 2007, apparently unhappy with his position in the band. Then Anthrax did a couple of shows with Jon Bush, but it was never meant to have him come back full time. Instead the band hired a newcomer, named Dan Nelson, to be the bands next singer. The band recorded 'Worship Music', and did some shows with their new frontman. Suddenly, only weeks before the release date for the album, news broke out that Dan was out of Anthrax. Depending on who you want to believe, he was either fired, or he walked out on his own free will. It all turned into a mess folded out in the press, and the whole truth has yet to see the light of day, although it seems to be battled out in court.
Enter again, in 2010, Joey Belladonna! Anthrax tours the world as a part of The Big 4 tour, together with Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth. Joey goes into the studio to lay his vocals on the already finished album, erasing Dan's contribution to the songs. Finally, on September 13th 2011, 'Worship Music' is finally released to an awaiting fan base.
Personally I didn't think that Anthrax delivers on all accounts here. I have to admit that with the classic Anthrax line-up back together (minus Dan Spitz, that is), my inner hopes were for a return to former glory, with a full on thrash metal album. Kinda ridiculous, I know, after all, this album was written and recorded with a different mindset, and most notably a different singer. Still, this is a thriving metal album, with some thrash elements heard here and there. It's the same groove-based music they've done for basically as long as Joey's been out of the band. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that, as 'Worship Music' delivers several great songs, but it is still not what a long time fan had really hoped for.
Despite my nitpicking I am really enjoying this album for what it is. 'Worship Music' is the logical successor to 2003's 'We've Come For You All', so if you enjoyed that album, you're gonna dig 'Worship Music' also. The first single released from the album, a track called "Fight 'em 'Til You Can't" is a catchy number that'll have you singing along in no time. Other choice cuts include "In The End" (a future crowd pleaser?), "The Devil You Know" and "Earth On Hell", the latter being the most full on thrash metal number here. Joey does a solid job, and he sings as good as ever, albeit a little differently than what we usually get from him. One can only wonder how much he used from the vocal lines Dan recorded, and how much he altered them to fit his own voice. It is clear that Dan had a much more modern singing style, and perhaps fit the groove based material a little better. And I've read in interviews that Joey's only gripe with the album is that he wasn't there for the writing of the material.
13 song might appear to be a few too much, but when 3 of them are short instrumental/intros the album contains no more then 10 regular songs. As unnecessary as these instrumentals are (they aren't even listed in the liner notes), the most annoying thing here is the hidden track after "Revolution Screams". Appearing at the 11:11 minute mark in the song, "New Noise" comes barging in. This Refused cover was also released as a vinyl single, and there it should have stayed! I hate hidden tracks that appear after umpteen minutes of silence, and it's even more annoying when I listen to it on my mp3-player, as it has no feature to fast forward! The Japanese version of this album omits the hidden track, and offers a different mix of "Crawl" as a bonus track instead.
So, in conclusion, Anthrax have released another strong album, and considering the circumstances, a phenomenal one! I hope Scott, Charlie, Frank, Joey and Rob got the sparks flying during the tour with the Big 4, so that the next album will be an even more true to form album.
Killer tracks: Earth On Hell, The Devil You Know, Fight 'em 'til You Can't, In The End
ANTHRAX also appear on:
V/A - 'Deeper Into The Vault'
V/A - 'Twisted Forever - A Tribute To The Legendary Twisted Sister'
V/A - 'A Tribute To The Creatures Of The Night'
Scott Ian guest appearances:
M.O.D. - 'U.S.A. For M.O.D.' (also as producer)
V/A - 'Spacewalk - A Tribute To Ace Frehley'
V/A - 'Metallic Assault - A Tribute To Metallica'
Frank Bello guest appearances:
V/A - 'Spacewalk - A Tribute To Ace Frehley'
Charlie Benante guest appearances:
V/A - 'Spacewalk - A Tribute To Ace Frehley'
Joey Belladonna guest appearances:
V/A - 'Metallic Assault - A Tribute To Metallica'
RELATED ARTISTS:
S.O.D., Fates Warning, White Lion, Overkill, John Arch, Frost, Seven Witches
