Re-Visiting Anthrax - Volume 8

corplhicks wrote:

^^Chiming in with the above, yeah I have a thousand reason not to like this band, and it was only recently (like, a year ago?) that I gave up on 'em. I've never been able to stomach Belladonna's whining (I truly think that dude did the whole thrash thing simply because he failed so hard in the AOR market), and Scott (cool guy) and Dan were pretty awful at their instruments. Spreading the Disease? Cool album, the only one worth listening to. Among the Living? Boring, overpraised, and recklessly messy (although I LOVE I am the Law). Euphoria? Has its moments and is stronger than Among but a dud mix and too much monotony. Persistence of Time? That's the one that kind of pisses me off because it's held high by so many--to me it's lifeless. There isn't anything dynamic about that album. It plods while begging the listener to buy into RAHHHH DARK RIFFAGE SO FAST THREAT as if they were trying to show more maturity. And don't get me started on nails on chalkboard I'm the Man.

Don't get me wrong, I have respect for their place in history (like I would Venom, another band that I'm on the fence about), Charlie is a great drummer, and they do have a kickass tune here and there, but I tried fellas, this is one of the few thrash wonders that feel out of place. Big four? Ha, yeah sure.

I can't help but note how much recognition for them recently (~10 years) has exploded, and I wonder if that has anything to do with VH1 Classic/That Metal Show.

I wouldn't disagree with much of that and I'll add that the only album that I like more now than I did back in the day is Fistful

Fistful is a true classic and my favourite by them.

Gilbert wrote:

Fistful is a true classic and my favourite by them.

Mine too. After reading through this thread last night I re-visited Fistful and still love it. It doesn't really sound like them at all, so maybe that's why it's my favorite if theirs. I do like the next couple albums by them, but n it as much as I used to.

I've never really been a huge fan of Anthrax aside from a few songs. I especially love "Medusa" from Spreading the Disease. I definitely agree that their spot among the Big Four is mostly due to their importance to the genre rather than strictly their quality - Testament, Overkill, or maybe Sepultura would be better fits for the 4th band in the lineup.

I saw them live a few years back (I was more interested in the supporting acts, Municipal Waste, Holy Grail, and Exodus), and I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb because they played all of Among the Living and I didn't know every single riff, lyric, and transition like the rest of everyone in the crowd. That album just never hooked me, really.