Anthrax

Spreading the Disease

Universal Music, 2015

In 1985, Anthrax released Spreading the Disease, establishing themselves as a truly distinctive voice among the rapidly growing field of thrash acts. With strong songwriting, expressive musicianship, and Joey Belladonna’s distinctive voice, Anthrax blossomed on this, their sophmore effort, and came into their own.

Thrash Metal was, and still is, a genre muddied with Captain Caveman sound alike singers and a lot of uninspired songwriting, forgoing hooks for warmed over, tired riffs. The choice of Joey Belladonna, with his soaring voice, has always been key to Anthrax standing apart. It is also equally important to note the key songwriting team of drummer Charlie Benatante, bassist Frank Bello, and guitarist Scott Ian, knew how to craft a memorable song.

Now 30 years later we’re afforded the opportunity to become re-acquainted with the landmark release, Spreading the Disease. It holds up remarkably well. It is the soundtrack to countless scraped knees and failed skateboard tricks.

The punkishly frantic blast of “A.I.R”. feels like an animal trying to break free of a trap.”Madhouse” is a more contracted groove and offers squealling leads. “Armed and Dangerous” sounds as crisp and irascable as ever. The tension the band builds on as the tempo transitions from quietly contemplative into a full blown maelstrom, is palpable.“Medusa” is welcome moment of relative calm in the midst of the double bass propelled overload. All told, this a tough nut of record and a seminal recording.

But this wouldn’t be a re-issue without a bunch of extras. Disc 2 brings us demos, live, and rhthym tracks. The live tracks were recorded at the Sun Plaza, in 1987, during the bands first show in Japan. It’s nice to hear the live readings of these numbers and the way they were adapted for live shows. “Armed and Dangerous” has the intro cropped, plunging headlong into the meaty, aggressive portion of the song. “Gung Ho” moves the ending to the front, and is better for it. There’s also a few songs from the bands first release, Metal Thrashing Mad. These songs are muscular and abbrasive with occasional sweet spots, like the twin guitar lead on “The Howling Furies.”

The rhythm tracks of guitar, bass and drums are a neat addition, but don’t beg for repeated listening. They will make you want to sing along just the same. Stripped bare, these songs are unflinching slabs of solid rock.

Spreading the Disease doesn’t sound or feel dated, but a great benchmark in the metal canon.

-IM-