Anthrax (US band) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anthrax
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Anthrax performing at Wacken Open Air in 2019
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| Background information | |
| Origin | New York City, New York, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1981–present |
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| Associated acts |
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| Members |
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| Past members | See the list of Anthrax members |
Anthrax is an American thrash metal band from New York City. They are one of the most famous bands from the 1980s thrash metal music scene. Anthrax is part of the "Big Four" of thrash metal. This group also includes Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer.
As of 2022, Anthrax has sold over 10 million albums. They released their first album in 1984. The band has made eleven albums in total. Four of these albums have been certified gold by the RIAA. This means they sold over 500,000 copies each. Their most popular album is Among the Living, which came out in 1987. This album helped Anthrax become a very well-known band.
Contents
Anthrax's Musical Journey
How Anthrax Started
Anthrax was formed in 1981 by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker. Scott Ian chose the name "Anthrax" after seeing it in a biology textbook. He thought the name sounded "evil enough" for a metal band.
In their early years, Anthrax had many different singers, bassists, and drummers. Before releasing their first album, Fistful Of Metal, they settled on a lineup. This included singer Neil Turbin, lead guitarist Dan Spitz, and drummer Charlie Benante. Danny Lilker, who started on guitar, switched to bass.
Rising to Fame: The 80s and Early 90s
After their first album, Danny Lilker and Neil Turbin left the band. They were replaced by Frank Bello (who is Charlie Benante's nephew) and Joey Belladonna. This new lineup recorded four important albums. These were Spreading the Disease, Among The Living, State Of Euphoria, and Persistence Of Time.
Among The Living was different from their earlier albums. It added humor and references to comic books into their music. Many fans think it's their best album. It features popular songs like "Caught In A Mosh," "Indians," and "I Am The Law." The song "I Am The Law" is about the comic book character Judge Dredd.
Their next album, State Of Euphoria, was similar but not as successful. However, it still had well-known Anthrax songs. These include "Be All, End All" and "Antisocial." "Antisocial" is an English version of a song by the French band Trust.
Persistence Of Time was a more serious album. The band faced some tough times, which made this album more serious. It didn't have comic book references. Instead, its songs talked about serious topics, like the need for peace in "Keep it in the Family." But it also had a fast-paced cover of the Joe Jackson song "Got The Time." This cover has become a famous Anthrax song.
During this time, Anthrax also released a successful rap-metal song called "I'm The Man." A few years later, they released another rap metal song with the hip hop group Public Enemy. This was a cover of Public Enemy's song "Bring The Noise." These two groups are known for helping to create and make the rap metal genre popular.
New Sounds and Changes: The Mid-90s
As Anthrax became more popular, they signed with a record label called Elektra. However, Joey Belladonna was asked to leave Anthrax in 1992. He was replaced by John Bush, who was from a band called Armored Saint. The band's first album with John Bush was Sound Of White Noise. It was also successful. This album was dark, like Persistence Of Time, but it also had a sound similar to the grunge bands popular in the early 90s.
Dan Spitz left the band in 1995. For their next album, Stomp 442, Charlie Benante played both guitar and drums. Paul Crook also played guitar on this album. Dimebag Darrell, the guitarist from the band Pantera, played solos on two songs. This album was not as successful as Sound Of White Noise. Anthrax blamed Elektra for not promoting it well.
Anthrax then signed with a smaller record label called Ignition. They released Volume 8: The Threat Is Real. Again, Charlie Benante and Paul Crook played guitar, and Dimebag Darrell played solos. Pantera's singer, Phil Anselmo, also sang backup on one song. This album did not do as well as Stomp 442. Soon after, Ignition closed down. Anthrax took a short break. During this time, John Bush rejoined Armored Saint and released another album with them.
Facing Challenges and Reunions: Early 2000s
In 2001, the band welcomed lead guitarist Rob Caggiano. They started playing shows again. After some serious events in 2001, the band thought about changing their name because of the disease 'anthrax'. Scott Ian even joked about calling themselves "Basket Full Of Puppies." But they decided to keep the name Anthrax.
They released the album We've Come For You All in 2003. While it wasn't a huge hit like their earlier albums, many thought it was their best in years. During their tour, Frank Bello left the band for a short time. He was replaced by Joey Vera, another member of Armored Saint.
However, Frank Bello returned to Anthrax in 2005. Joey Belladonna and Dan Spitz also came back for a reunion tour. This tour was very successful and lasted until 2007. After the tour, Joey and Dan left again. A new singer, Dan Nelson, was announced, and Rob Caggiano returned. They started working on a new album called Worship Music. It was planned for release in 2009. But Dan Nelson left that year, and the album was put on hold. John Bush returned to the band, and they thought about releasing Worship Music with him singing.
Anthrax Today: Back on Top
In 2010, Joey Belladonna returned to Anthrax permanently. The band played many shows, including the "Big 4" concerts with Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer. Work continued on the new album, Worship Music, which was finally released in 2011. This album was their most successful since Sound Of White Noise.
In March 2013, the band released an extended play (EP) of covers of rock songs from the 1970s. Guitar player Rob Caggiano left Anthrax at the beginning of 2013 to play with Volbeat. In 2016, Anthrax released their eleventh album, For All Kings.
Meet the Band Members
- Joey Belladonna, vocals
- Scott Ian, guitar
- Frank Bello, bass
- Charlie Benante, drums/guitar in mid-late 90s
Past members include:
- Neil Turbin, original vocalist
- John Bush, Joey Belladonna's replacement in 1992
- Dan Nelson, Joey's second replacement in 2007
- Danny Lilker, founding member, started off as lead guitarist before moving to bass
- Joey Vera, replaced Frank Bello temporarily in 2004
- Dan Spitz, long time lead guitarist
- Rob Caggiano, first official lead guitarist since Dan Spitz
Anthrax Albums
- Fistful of Metal (1984)
- Spreading the Disease (1985)
- Among the Living (1987)
- State of Euphoria (1988)
- Persistence of Time (1990)
- Sound of White Noise (1993)
- Stomp 442 (1995)
- Volume 8: The Threat Is Real (1998)
- We've Come for You All (2003)
- Worship Music (2011)
