Anthrax

Over the course of their career, New York’s Anthrax have proven to be one of metal’s most versatile bands; but they will always be most closely associated with the ‘80s thrash metal movement, which they helped pioneer as one of the so-called Big Four, alongside West Coast counterparts Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth. Originally founded in 1981 by rhythm guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Danny Lilker, who were joined by singer Neil Turbin, lead guitarist Dan Spitz and drummer Charlie Benante, Anthrax were among the first bands across the thrash metal threshold thanks to their 1984 debut LP, ‘Fistful of Metal.’ But it wasn’t until Joey Belladonna and Frank Bello replaced Turbin and Bello, respectively, that the quintet found the perfect lineup with which to rampage through the ‘80s, armed with seminal albums like ‘Spreading the Disease,’ ‘Among the Living,’ and their pioneering rap-metal single, ‘I’m the Man,’ which led to an even more groundbreaking fusion with Public Enemy and ‘Bring the Noise.’ The band shifted creative gears during the 1990s, swapping Belladonna for ex-Armored Saint singer John Bush, and their commercial fortunes steadily waned. But with renewed interest building in the third millennium, a classic lineup reunion and numerous Big Four concerts reenergized the Anthrax band, which remains strong today.

 

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