«Spreading the Disease» is the second album by Anthrax and it came out on 28 October 1985 through Island Records. It is the band’s first record with Joey Belladonna on vocals and Frank Bello on bass. The line-up is Belladonna, Scott Ian and Dan Spitz on guitars, Frank Bello on bass and Charlie Benante behind the kit.
“`Country: USA
Genre: Thrash Metal
For fans of: Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer
The sound is cleaner and more melodic than the debut here, without giving up any of the speed. Belladonna’s voice gives the songs a wide range, from high screams to calmer lines, while Benante’s drumming keeps a tight, fast pulse going. The riffs of Ian and Spitz are sharp and catchy. Anthrax come from New York and their sound carries a lighter, more danceable feel than bay area thrash, which is what sets them apart from the rest of the pack.
Standouts include «A.I.R.» which opens the record, «Madhouse» with its instantly recognisable chorus, «Medusa» and «Armed and Dangerous». Heavier are «The Enemy» and «Gung-Ho», while «Aftershock» closes things out. The songs often deal with social themes, in a tone that never takes itself too seriously.
The album gave the band their first video, for «Madhouse», and helped establish them as one of the big names of thrash. Anthrax are one of the genre’s «Big Four», alongside Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer, and this record helped cement their name among the old school thrash albums that laid the foundations of the genre. In 2015 an anniversary edition came out for the album’s thirtieth birthday.
See also
More on Anthrax: Anthrax and Kerry King join Megadeth’s farewell tour and Scott Ian recalls the night he tried to keep up with Lemmy and lost.
