Spreading the Disease

After their slightly patchy debut album and a change in personel, Anthrax's secnd album is undeniably a classic of the thrash genre. Most fans will point to 'Among the Living' as the band's defining moment, but it's really hard to find any fault with this 1985 offering, as from the opening moments of 'A.I.R.' the album spews out a seemingly endless collection of killer riffs, while new vocalist Joe Bellandonna's melodic vocals provide numerous catchy choruses. 'Spreading the Disease' ranges from such relatively melodic songs as the insanely catchy 'Medusa' and 'Lone Justice', which at times sounds almost Iron Maiden-ish, to the full on thrash of tracks like 'Gung-Ho' and 'Aftershock'. The band themselves have at times stated a despair at being unable to escape 'Madhouse', but with a song this strong it's not hard to understand why it's in constant demand at gigs. Highlight for me though would probably be 'The Enemy', with the over-processed tribal drum opening givng way to what must rank as one of the greatest thrash metal riffs of all time.

Inevitably a little dated, especially in Bellandonna's clean vocals, but still utterly essential for any thrash metal fans.

This is where Anthrax truly became a 'thrash' outfit. Their previous album was a lot of fun and a great heavy rock record but as soon as 'A.I.R' kicks in with the, now trademark, Anthrax riffage it feels like they have finally entered the arena. Ironically, 'Lone Justice' harks back to the first album in terms of composition but it is an awesome track; truly the stirrings of what would become 'I Am The Law' lay therein. 'Madhouse'is a classic chugging monster of a song and a true 'thrax legend. 'Stand or Fall' is a catchy little number. 'The Enemy' and 'Aftershock' are not as close to perfection as what had been before but are not bad. But then 'Armed & Dangerous' fills the air and the fists are pumping again! 'Medusa' is MY classic from this album - I love it. It's not thrashy, it's slow but it's groovy and textured and catchy as hell. ' Gung-Ho' is a fun, fast and very thrashy closer.

The true beginning of a great era for the band. When Joey joined they found the perfect voice for their music. The rest, I suppose, is history.

Here we have what I can only describe as an alltime thrash classic from one of the big four of thrash metal - Anthrax.
Anthrax released this masterpiece back in 1985 and is their second full length album after their debut - Fistfull Of Metal.Out go origional bassist Dan Lilker and singer Neil Turbin and in comes new bassist Frank Bello and singer Joey Bellodonna.
The energy this band puts into this album and the wonderful songwriting skills stands out from the off.Joey Bellodonna has one of the very best voices in metal and he proves his worth here with an awsome display,showing that Anthrax had what the other big 4 didn't - a real singer who could reach notes the likes of Hetfield/Mustaine could only dream of.Every song here showcases the bands huge individual talents with superb riffs from Scott Ian/Dan Spitz,exceptional drumming from a young Charlie Bennante(best metal drummer ever in my opinion) and the simply brilliant singing from Joey I described earlier.
There is not one duff track on the album and there is a bit of variety too with the classic fast thrash pace we all expect along with slower paced songs such as Medusa.There are some great intros which steadily build up before the singing starts such as accoustic parts or some fine drumming which gives each song more identity and I promise you they will stick in your head for a long time.Some of the main chorus's are very,very catchy too with Joey's voice reaching some really high notes.Stand out tracks include Madusa,SSC/Stand or Fall,The Enemy and Lone Justice.
Production is what you would expect for a 1985 release and it could do with having a bassier overall sound and is reletively quiet too,something a good sound system can help improve on.An improved remastered version would be nice like they did recently with their follow up album Among The Living.
To some it up then,this is the second best release they ever put out narrowly beaten by the simply awsome Among The Living album.This is 80's thrash metal at its finest and sits nicely next to other classics like Master of Puppets,Ride The Lightning,Reign in Blood,Peace Sells and Among The Living.If you are a fan of thrash you really cannot afford to miss out on this thrash classic!!!!!