Among The Living Review · 2:16am Aug 18th, 2022
Date Of Release: March 22, 1987
Anthrax is a thrash metal band that formed in Queens, New York City, New York, 1981. The band's members consist of: (Among The Living lineup)
- Joey Belladonna (Vocals)
- Scott Ian (Rhythm Guitarist)
- Dan Spitz (Lead Guitarist)
- Frank Bello (Bassist)
- Charlie Benante (Drummer)
Formed in the streets of NYC by Scott Ian and former bassist Dan Liker. Anthrax is apart of "The Big 4" of the American thrash metal scene, alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer. They were also among one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the East Coast of the United States. Other East Coast thrash bands include: Overkill, Nuclear Assault, and Testament. Anthrax's name was in fact named after the disease itself, Scott saw it in a biology textbook and chose it because it sounded "sufficiently evil".
Anthrax has released 11 studio albums, several other albums, and 26 singles. They have sold 2.5 million records in the U.S from 1991 to 2004, with worldwide sales of 10 million. Four of the band's studio albums have also achieved gold certifications by the RIAA. Which solidified Anthrax's reputation as one of the most successful thrash metal bands.
Anthrax is also partly responsible for the creation of a genre. During the late 80's and early 90's, the East Coast had a growing and thriving hip hop scene. A music scene members of Anthrax were big fans of, so in 1991 Anthrax collaborated with hip hop group Public Enemy and released the single Bring Tha Noize. Many people took note of how the mixing of these two genres sounded very good, which would eventually lead to the origin of Nu-Metal.
When it comes to the "The Big 4" of thrash metal Anthrax would be the one band to stick out like a sore thumb. While Slayer were screaming about Satan, Metallica were singing about Cthulhu, and Megadeth were whining about politics, Anthrax's songs were mostly about having fun, not being an asshole, and goofy shit. Which has lead many people to make fun of them, calling them "soft" and "posers". Many people don't really give their music a chance and that's partly why I'm making this review today.
Apart from subject matter, Anthrax is also noteable for their vocals. Typically, thrash metal vocals are mostly screaming and raspy singing. Anthrax however has clean vocals that are comparable to heavy metal bands like: Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Manowar, and Dio. There has always been an unique element to Anthrax that made them stand out to other bands. When you listen to a couple of their songs you tend to notice how much fun and energy they put into their music, even more so when you watch them live. They're goofy and don't take themselves too seriously which is something I've always liked about them.
As said earlier this review is partly being made to show people that Anthrax are just as good as the rest of "The Big 4". The first Anthrax song I heard was Madhouse, the only reason I knew about that song was because it was featured in GTA Vice City. As a kid, that would be about the only song I knew from them for the longest time, I did love it however. It wasn't until recently that I started to listen other big hits from them such as: A.I.R, I Am The Law, Caught in a Mosh, and Indians. All songs I loved upon my first listen, which motivated me to start listening to their albums.
Which brings us to today's review on Anthrax's 3rd studio album Among The Living.
Songs
Among The Living
Kicking off the album we have grand epic that incorporates heavy drums and holy notes from the guitars. The first track gives you a taste of Scott's incredible rhythm guitar playing with a nice sounding back and forth riff. This song also showcases Charlie's awesome drumming, this album along with it's predecessor Spreading The Disease made me a fan of Charlie, he's one of the best thrash drummers out there. I also love the backup vocals from the rest of the band accompanying Joey's great vocals.
This song is a tribute to Stephen King's novel The Stand. A story about a virus that has wiped out nearly the entirety of the human population. Which is reflected in the song's lyrics.
Caught In A Mosh
Moving on to one of Anthrax's bigger hits, Caught In A Mosh opens with a chunky bass line before "settling" into a quick tempo. I can't begin to describe how much I love Frank's bass line for this song, it's fast, it keeps you on your feet, and it's catchy. Scott's main riff for this song is awesome to hear! Dan's guitar solo also kicks ass. Joey's singing blows you away, there's this really cool back and forth between Joey and the rest of the band that sounds great. Overall the whole band is giving it 110% and the result is a fun and fast track. Definitely a favorite of mine.
I Am The Law
Next track up we have a banger of an intro. This is perhaps my second favourite intro on the album. That catchy guitar riff being accompanied with Charlie's drumming creates this menacing and badass sound. This song is insanely catchy, it's very hard not to bang your head to it. I especially love the chorus for this song for that reason as well. Around the halfway point the song shifts gears and the song turns into a chaotic mess (the good kind). Joey absolutely kills it on vocals too, one of the best off the album. This song also has one of, if not the best rhythm guitar riff on the whole album. Frank has also been kind enough to grace us with another monster of a bass line.
One of the most unique thrash songs that I've heard, I Am The Law is a song that pays tribute to comic book character Judge Dredd. The whole song is littered with references to characters, the setting, and Judge Dredd's backstory. I don't know anything about the character or the comics but I still love the lyrics to this song, it's probably my favorite off the whole album. The chorus in particular I love which goes:
"Respect the badge! - he earned it with his blood. Fear the gun! - your sentence may be death because... I am the law! You won't fuck around no more - I am the law! I judge the rich, I judge the poor - I am the law! Commit a crime I'll lock the door - I am the law! Because in Mega-City... I am the law!
Efilinikufesin (N.F.L)
Moving on, our next song opens up with a nice sounding chaotic riff. During the bridge, the song has a nice charge up that leads to an explosive chorus that'll have you headbanging. I also adore the solo battle the lead guitar and the bass have, it's a nice back and forth. Charlie Benante is slapping ass on this track as well. Overall a fast and enjoyable song.
The story of this song is about a man looking back at his high school experience. He relishes in the fact that the assholes back then didn't amount to much after high school. He goes in detail on how they couldn't find their niche in life and how now they're sleeping on plywood in alleyways. Oh, and N.F.L stands for Nice Fucking Life to add insult to injury.
A Skeleton In The Closet
The galloping of guitars and Charlie's speedy drumming open up this next song. I just love how this song sounds, it's consistent in its speed all the way through. The song itself sounds like it's running, it pumps you up. The main riff for this song kick ass, the bass lead into the guitar solo also sounds great! Joey and the bands vocals are the cherry on top, completing this metal sundae.
Another tribute to a Stephen King novel. A Skeleton In The Closet is about a boy who meets a old man, this old man happened to be a Nazi during WW2. Upon their encounter the boy suddenly has an urge to kill, and has nightmares when he isn't. Eventually he takes a rifle on to a highway and starts shooting people. It takes the police 5 hours to finally put him down. This has got to be one of the most metal songs I've heard, and from Anthrax no less! Usually you'd expect a band like Slayer to come up with this sort of shit but nope!
Indians
Guys, we have arrived at not just my favorite song off the album, but my favorite Anthrax song so far. The intro is absolutely killer on this song, as the name implies this song is about Native Americans. As such, we have tribal drums starting us off along with a... I wanna say a stereotypical Native American tune, either way it's badass. The main riff for this song is utterly monstrous, in fact everyone is putting their all into this song. The chorus is especially catchy and awesome.
What I love the most however, and it never fails to give me chills. Is a part a little after the halfway point. After the chorus you'd expect to loop again but nope! The song gets slow and fucking heavy, it's like a rollercoaster going uphill. When everybody in the song yells that phrase "WAR DANCE!" shit goes insane. It really gets the crowd going. Then they go further beyond and play the riff from the beginning of the song again. I love this song so much!
As stated earlier this song is about Native Americans, specifically this song centers on the unfair treatment, prejudice, and how essentially, they got turned into second class citizens despite living in North America for many, many years. To further drive home the point the song has elements of Native American music. It especially drives home the message when you find out vocalist Joey Belladonna is Native American himself. All in all a kick ass song with an important message.
One World
Coming off of the previous track, Open World is nice follow up to Indians. The slow intro that's then abruptly ended by the electric guitars shooting out like a bullet is surprising, but awesome all the same. The guitars are especially impressive on this song. I can easily see this being a favorite at a concert for it's fast nature, perfect moshing material. The guitar solo and outro are also kick ass
One World is an anti war song. Something to point out is how Anthrax call out the U.S for their hostility towards Russia (during this time period the U.S.S.R). One other piece of lyric that stands out to me is "It's much harder to kill a man, If you've seen pictures of his kids".
Medley: A.D.I / Horror Of It All
The mysterious and haunting playing of an acoustic guitar kicks us off for this song. Which is refreshing after all the fast paced, heavy riffs we've been hit with so far. It doesn't last long however as this nasty guitar riff takes over. Followed up with the drums and bass getting a time to shine. I don't what it is about the chorus but it reminds me a lot of glam metal. More specifically the Mötley Crüe song Too Young to Fall In Love. Regardless, for this being a 7 minute and 39 second song it does a great job at maintaining your attention with tempo changes. Charlie also is an utter beast on this track.
Imitation Of Life
The last track on the album, the intro to this song is fucking badass. It's starts out with this cool almost Egyptian sounding riff. Only to stop and backhand you with this disgusting and heavy riff, one of the best riffs off the album. You're left in shock at how Scott and Dan are able to play as fast as they do on this song. Charlie is also playing the fastest he has on this song. Occasionally they take a break and switch over to a groovier tempo before resuming. At times Joey also goes beyond his limit and sings to this inhumane high pitch that is just really cool to hear. Overall this song is an awesome way to close off the album.
Imitation Of Life is a song that critiques the music industry first and foremost. However it's also about fake people, and about how money changes people. Changes them so much that they'd sellout their friends and family. They even go after glam metal bands. The opening verses are all that's needed to understand the song: "There's nothing I hate more, than all these plastic people. With all their plastic promises, and all their plastic deals. They just can't be themselves, and live their own lives out. They're just an imitation of what life's all about".
Final Thoughts
To close things off, Among The Living is one of the best thrash albums I've listened to. Anthrax's killer riffs, headbanging choruses, and awesome vocals, are infectious. It's easy to see why many people consider this album to be their greatest achievement. Between this album and it's predecessor Spreading The Disease, I'm looking forward to hearing the rest of their discography.
That being said I recommend you give this album a listen. Anthrax is a lot more accessible than say Slayer, so this album is a great starting point for those who are looking to get into thrash metal.
If I Had To Rate It Out Of 10: 10/10
Songs I Liked:
- Among The Living
- Caught In A Mosh
- I Am The Law
- Efilinikufesin (N.F.L)
- A Skeleton In The Closet
- Indians
- One World
- Medley: A.D.I / Horror Of It All
- Imitation Of Life
Songs I Disliked:
- None!
Personal Favorites
- Caught In A Mosh
- I Am The Law
- A Skeleton In The Closet
- Indians
- Medley: A.D.I / Horror Of It All
- Imitation Of Life
For Those Interested In Checking It Out Here's A Preview Song:
