It’s a quintessential moment in thrash. The nail in the coffin for the fourth member of the big four of thrash metal. An insanely aggressive, yet fun and cheeky album full of technical mastery and soaring vocals. It’s the album that made Anthrax Anthrax. I’m talking of course, about the killer ‘Spreading The Disease.’
The New York metal outfit were still exploring who they were by early 1985. Their debut album, ‘Fistful of Metal’ made some waves in the underground. But it didn’t take off like Metallica and Slayer had. Then original bassist Danny Lilker was out. Replaced by drummer Charlie Benante’s nephew Frank Bello. Original vocalist Neil Turbin was then out as well. Bringing in one of the great voices in all of rock and metal with Joey Belladonna. And just like that, the classic line-up of Anthrax was formed. And they quickly went into the studio.
Starting with the insanely energetic ‘A.I.R.,’ ‘Spreading the Disease’ kicks off with a bang. The song is still used to this day as one of the signature show openers. ‘Lone Justice’ keeps the ball rolling with a bouncy, low end chug. While also being in tune with classic rock songwriting. The single ‘Madhouse’ has stood the test of time as classic ‘Thrax. Yet another concert staple that’s still prominent. ‘S.S.C./Stand or Fall,’ ‘The Enemy’ and ‘Aftershock’ serve as a one, two, three punch of unbridled guitar wizardry, double pedal thrash excellence and sheer metallic guitar overload.
‘Armed and Dangerous’ takes a page from the early Metallica book in its intro. Before finding its own voice as an Anthrax track. The fan favorite ‘Medusa’ grooves on down. With some of Belladonna’s most epic vocalizations. His operatic and disciplined tone brought an originality to Anthrax. And set them apart from their peers. ‘Gung-Ho’ closes things out in typical fashion. A song that’s more thrash than thrash. A masterclass in double pedal accuracy. Which would lay the ground work for future brutality such as ‘A Skeleton In the Closet’ and ‘Gridlock.’
‘Spreading the Disease’ is the album that made Anthrax who they are. The classic line-up being rounded out. And setting a standard for the band that remains to this day. Upon its release, ‘Spreading the Disease’ performed considerably better than ‘Fistful of Metal.’ Solidifying the major label deal they made and allowing Anthrax to flourish and grow. Leading to even stronger material such as ‘Among the Living’ and ‘Persistence of Time.’ So crank it, live it, love it and throw the horns up for Anthrax’s ‘Spreading the Disease.’
