Where's the love for Anthrax?
Out of the "Big Four" thrash metal bands of the 80's (including Megadeth, Metallica and Slayer), Anthrax get the least amount of love these days. But while Megadeth is probably my favorite of the four acts, Anthrax is the band I'd most like to hang out with. In fact, they're probably the only major metal act that hasn't really managed to piss anyone off, and they're thanked in pretty much every 80's metal album I own. Despite having a pretty spotty discography, there's just something about Anthrax that you can't help but like. That something is probably Scott Ian, the guitarist who is the only remaining original member and arguably the frontman, regardless of who's singing. You might recognize him as that bald guy with the ridiculous goatee who's on VH1 now and then.
The funny thing about Anthrax is that their proper albums are the least interesting thing about them. "Spreading The Disease" is one of my favorite records, but unless you're a serious fan of early thrash it's REALLY dated. The song "Caught in a Mosh" is also a classic metal moment. But the most entertaining album they ever released was "Attack of the Killer B's", a B-side compilation that was full of manic fun. It featured their foul-mouthed ode to censorship "Startin' Up a Posse", some killer live tracks, and all kinds of great bits and bobs that proved Anthrax was at their best when goofing off.
Anthrax's side projects have always been worth checking out: They essentially invented Rap Metal with their novelty single "I'm the Man", and their crossover cover of Public Enemy's "Bring The Noise". Scott Ian formed the hardcore novelty group Stormtroopers Of Death to release the unexpectedly classic album "Speak English or Die". And most recently, Ian has formed the supergroup The Damned Things, which contains members of Anthrax, Fall Out Boy, and Every Time I Die. In fact, The Damned Things' debut album "Ironiclast" has been spinning in my player for a week now, and it keeps getting better. Check out the following video, which not only rocks my socks off but is pretty hilarious as well.
The Damned Things - "We've Got A Situation Here"
\nn/
The funny thing about Anthrax is that their proper albums are the least interesting thing about them. "Spreading The Disease" is one of my favorite records, but unless you're a serious fan of early thrash it's REALLY dated. The song "Caught in a Mosh" is also a classic metal moment. But the most entertaining album they ever released was "Attack of the Killer B's", a B-side compilation that was full of manic fun. It featured their foul-mouthed ode to censorship "Startin' Up a Posse", some killer live tracks, and all kinds of great bits and bobs that proved Anthrax was at their best when goofing off.
Anthrax's side projects have always been worth checking out: They essentially invented Rap Metal with their novelty single "I'm the Man", and their crossover cover of Public Enemy's "Bring The Noise". Scott Ian formed the hardcore novelty group Stormtroopers Of Death to release the unexpectedly classic album "Speak English or Die". And most recently, Ian has formed the supergroup The Damned Things, which contains members of Anthrax, Fall Out Boy, and Every Time I Die. In fact, The Damned Things' debut album "Ironiclast" has been spinning in my player for a week now, and it keeps getting better. Check out the following video, which not only rocks my socks off but is pretty hilarious as well.
The Damned Things - "We've Got A Situation Here"
\nn/