Anthrax

1) Anthrax are an American, New York City-based thrash metal band, who released their first full-length album in 1984. The band was one of the most popular bands of the 80s thrash metal scene and are notable for combining metal with rap and hardcore music early on. The band has sold over 10 million albums worldwide, and are classified as one of the ''big four'' of thrash metal bands alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth. Anthrax were formed in 1981 by guitarists Scott Ian and bassist Danny Lilker. They found the band's name in a biology textbook and claimed it because it sounded sufficiently evil to them. Nowadays Anthrax consists of these members: Joey Belladonna on lead vocals, Charlie Benante on drums, guitarists Scott Ian and Jonathan Donais, and Frank Bello playing the bass.

In 1985 Joey Belladonna joined Anthrax, and in the same year, the band released their second studio album Spreading the Disease (which included the hit Madhouse). In 1987, Anthrax released their third album, Among the Living. This album began a lyrical trend that focused on movies, comic books, and Stephen King novels. For example, the song I Am the Law is a tribute to comic book hero Judge Dredd.

Read full Bio