Anthrax

Anthrax

Anthrax is an American thrash metal band from New York City that was formed by guitarist Scott Ian in 1981. Anthrax is one of the four great Thrash bands along with Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer although their style changed over the years into hardcore and crossover.

The Early Years: 1981-1985

The man who formed Anthrax is also the only remaining founding member: Scott Ian. Scott formed the band with classmate Danny Lilker to cover his favourite Judas Priest and KISS songs. The band played their first self-organized gigs in a church basement, playing covers and own songs. The band underwent a lot of lineup changes in the first years until they were able to record their first demotape with the help of Ex-Manowar Guitarist Ross-The-Boss in 1983. This demo got them a record deal with Megaforce records and Anthrax recorded their debut CD A Fistfull Of Metal and released it in 1984. The band toured the united states and once again the lineup was changed and Joey Belladonna became Anthrax new singer. The Ep Armed & Dangerous from 1985 with Belladonna was a hughe success and the fans accepted him in an instant.

The Joey Belladonna Years: 1985-1992

Most Important Record of the Belladonna Years: Among The Living

The John Bush Years: 1992-2004

Most Important Record of the Bush Years: Sound Of White Noise

The Recent Years: 2005-2008

Musical Style

Trivia

Scott Ian's second band is the NY hardcore legend S.O.D (Stormtroopers Of Death) which is considered to be the first Hardcore Punk band ever. Scott said he only combined Punk with Thrash Metal and hardcore was born. The bandname Anthrax, whcih is the name of a dangerous virus was taken from a Biological School book because it sounded Evil to Scott.

Discography

Studiorecords

   * 1984: Fistful of Metal
   * 1985: Spreading the Disease
   * 1987: Among the Living
   * 1988: State of Euphoria
   * 1990: Persistence of Time
   * 1991: Attack of the Killer B‘s
   * 1993: Sound of White Noise
   * 1995: Stomp 442
   * 1998: Volume 8: The Threat Is Real
   * 2003: We‘ve Come for You All
   * 2004: The Greater of Two Evils

Singles

   * 1985: Madhouse
   * 1987: Im the Law
   * 1988: Make Me Laugh
   * 1988: Antisocial
   * 1988: Indians
   * 1990: Got the Time
   * 1990: In My World
   * 1991: Bring the Noise
   * 1993: Black Lodge
   * 1993: Hy Pro Glo
   * 1993: Only
   * 1995: High Octane
   * 1996: Nothing
   * 1996: Fueled
   * 1998: Inside Out
   * 1998: Born Again Idiot
   * 1998: Crush
   * 2003: Safe Home
   * 2003: Taking the Music Back

EPs

   * 1985: Armed and Dangerous
   * 1987: I‘m the Man
   * 1989: Penikufesin
   * 1991: Attack of the Killer B's
   * 2003: Summer 2003

Live/Compilations

   * 1986: Fistful of Anthrax (Japan Only)
   * 1994: Live - The Island Years
   * 1998: Moshers…1986-1991 (Best Of)
   * 1999: Return of the Killer A‘s (Best Of)
   * 2001: Madhouse - The Very Best of Anthrax (Best Of)
   * 2002: The Collection (Best Of)
   * 2004: Music of Mass Destruction (Live, DVD + CD)
   * 2004: The Greater of Two Evils (ReRecordings)
   * 2005: Anthrology: No Hit Wonders (1985 - 1992; 2-CD Best OF Reunion)
   * 2005: Alive 2 (Live, DVD+CD)