bioanthrax

Anthrax from New York were the kings of thrash on the west coast and also a member of the Big 4 of thrash. They debuted in early 1984 with Fistful of Metal. But then Dan Lilker and Neil Turbin was fired and the classic Anthrax lineup was born (Belladonna, Spitz, Bello, Lilker and Ian.) Over the following years the band released four thrash classics in Spreading the Disease, Among the Living, State of Euphoria and Persistence of Time.

In 1992 Anthrax fired Joey Belladonna and set the course in another direction. With John Bush as the bands new vocalist, Anthrax developed into some type of groove metal meets alternative rock. 13 years and a few records later Joey Belladonna and Dan Spitz rejoined the band for a tour. But then he left and Anthrax had a hard time deciding on a vocalist. After some time with Dan Nelson and John Bush again, Joey Belladonna rejoined and since then they had released We've Come For You All and For All Kings. This is the story of Anthrax:

FISTFUL OF METAL (1981-1984)

Anthrax was formed in New York by Guitarist Scott Ian and Bassist Dan Lilker in 1981. The band had many lineup changes before signing up to Megaforce Records. Scott Ian's younger brother Jason was the bands vocalist for a while before Anthrax recruited Neil Turbin. Dan Spitz and Charlie Benante joined the band in 1983. Later in 1983 Anthrax released their first single entitled Soldiers of Metal. It was recorded with some help of Ross from Manowar and it was released in 3000 copies and it featured drummer Greg D'Angelo on the track Howling Furies. The initial success with the single lead to a record contract with Megaforce.

In late 1983 the band started working on their debut album Fistful of Metal. They released it in January of 1984 and on it were songs like Metal Thrashing Mad, Deathrider, Panic and Soldiers of Metal amongst others. Metal Thrashing Mad became a classic Anthrax song and it later gave name to the whole genre when Malcolm Dome of Kerrang called Anthrax music for Thrash metal. Some say after Anthrax gigged with Exciter from Canada they got so inspired that their adopted the Exciter sound for their first LP Fistful of Metal.

Tension started to grew in the band and Scott Ian and Charlie Benante wanted to get rid out Neil Turbin and Dan Lilker. So they did kick Neil Turbin out because he didn't comply. Scott and Charlie later fired bassist Dan Lilker who subsequently formed Nuclear Assault. In came vocalist Matt Fallon to replace Neil Turbin but that didn't work out either so he was fired.

THE CLASSIC LINEUP (1985-1986)

In 1985 the new Anthrax was born when Frank Bello and Joey Belladonna joined the band. They soon released an Ep titled Armed and Dangerous which was the first release with the classic Anthrax lineup of Belladonna, Bello, Ian, Benante & Spitz. After that Scott Ian and Charlie Benante started the classic crossover band S.O.D. with Billy Milano and Dan Lilker. S.O.D. was mainly a side-project of Ian and Benante to explore their hardcore punk ideas.

Later in 1985 Anthrax released the studio album Spreading the Disease, which was the first with Belladonna and Bello in the band. The album was a huge success and they got the chance to open for Black Sabbath on a few dates. They also played in Germany supported by Agent Steel and Overkill.

In 1986 Anthrax went on a European tour with Metallica, which was for about a month and Anthrax last gig on the tour was in Sweden. As some of you might have guessed this was when Metallica's Cliff Burton did his last gig with Metallica before dying in a bus crash when the band traveled from Sweden to Denmark.

AMONG THE LIVING (1987-1991)

In 1987 Anthrax released their classic album Among the Living, which became the bands big internationall breakthrough with hits like Indians, Among the Living and Caught in a Mosh. The album showcased the bands more humorous side, with lyrics focusing on movies, comic books and Stephen King Novels. 

In 1987 Anthrax also released the rap-metal hybrid I'm the Man. Which they got some negative response for from their fans. Some claim this song to be the very first rap metal song. So Anthrax became grandfathers of both thrash and rap metal strangely enough.

In 1988 the band started to work on their fourth studio album State of Euphoria. The Trust-cover Antisocial became a huge hit from the record. After the release of State of Euphoria, Anthrax toured with Living Color and then Exodus and Helloween.

In 1990 Anthrax took a step away from the sillyness of their previous records and into a darker and more technical sound with Persistence of Time. Once again it was a cover that became the biggest hit from the record, the Joe Jackson cover "Got the Time". In 1991 the band went down the rap route again with the song "Bring the Noise", and a tour with rap group Public Enemy.

THE BUSH ERA (1992-2003)

In 1992 Anthrax went seperate ways with Joey Belladonna because of creative differences and in came Armored Saint's John Bush. This was also a departure from their thrash sound for a more rock oriented sound with occasional groove metal riffs. The band left Island Records to join Elektra and in 1993 Anthrax released Sound of White Noise, which was their first album with their new vocalist John Bush. The song Only became the big hit from the record. After the release of the record another member of the band left, longtime guitarist Dan Spitz.

In 1995 Anthrax released Stomp 442. Another step away from the thrash scene that birthed the band. Paul Crook and Dimebag Darrell played on the album as a replacement to Dan Spitz, This was the bands last album on Elektra. In 1998 Anthrax released Volume 8 - The Threat is Real on Ignition Records. Paul Crook and Dimebag Darrell were invited as guests again.

In 2001 guitarist Rob Caggiano joined the band. Two years later in 2003 Anthrax released We've Come For You All on Victor Records. It was here when Anthrax introduced the "Anthrax pentagram" for the first time.

In 2003 Anthrax re-recorded their back catalogue on the; The Greater of two Evils-album, With tracks from the Neil Turbin and Joey Belladonna era of Anthrax but this time with John Bush doing the vocals. This ended up as the last studio recordings John Bush did with Anthrax before Joey Belladonna returned. In 2004, longtime bassist Frank Bello left the band and he was replaced by Joey Vera, but Frank soon changed his mind and came back for the 2005 reunion.

CLASSIC ANTHRAX REBORN (2004-2009)

In 2005 Dan Spitz and Joey Belladonna returned to the Anthrax camp. Dan hadn't been a member of the band since 1994 and Joey had been away since 1992. So the comebacking Anthrax was a huge thing in the thrash community. With the classic lineup reunited, Anthrax went on a tour. But the reunion only lasted for two years before Joey Belladonna and Dan Spitz left the band once again. Anthrax we're in talks on bringing John Bush back, but he declined and Dan Nelson of Devilsize was recruited as Anthrax new singer. Rob Caggiano re-joined the band after Dan Spitz left.

In 2009 the band toured South America, opening for Iron Maiden and soon thereafter new vocalist Dan Nelson was fired from the band. He was replaced with John Bush for a year before leaving in 2010.

RETURN TO THRASH (2010-2022)

In 2010 Joey Belladonna re-joined the band and Anthrax toured with Megadeth, Slayer and Metallica as a part of the Big 4 of thrash tour.

In 2011 Anthrax released their tenth studio album Worship Music, Which was their most metallic release in many years. It was released on Megaforce Records, the label that first discovered the band back in '83.

In 2013 guitarist Jonathan Donais (Shadows Fall) joined the band.

In 2016 Anthrax released For All Kings on Megaforce Records. The album was a commercial success and it received a lot of favourable reviews.Then they went on the Megacruise with Megadeth. There are plans for a new album is rumoured to come out in 2022.