Anthrax Revisists a Thrashterpiece

As I listened to the 30th anniversary edition of Anthrax’s 1985 sophomore effort, “Spreading the Disease,” what jumped out immediately was just how urgent, vital and fresh the album sounds today. From the frenzied riffs of opener “A.I.R.” to the full-out speed metal assault of closer “Gung Ho” - one of the fastest tracks of the day - there is not one second of filler on “Spreading the Disease.” It’s a true thrash metal masterpiece.

In between are a bevy of thrash classics, from the moshpit-inducing “Madhouse,” the infectious Medusa” and the daring “Armed and Dangerous” to the old west hooks of “Lone Justice” and punk-hardcore vibe of “Aftershock.”

The album marked a huge stepping-stone for the New York thrash pioneers in many ways. “Spreading the Disease” marked the debut of singer Joey Belladonna, who could actually sing, giving the band a leg up over the screamers and shouters of most thrash bands. It was also Anthrax’s first set to feature bassist Frank Bello’s fluid style and the band’s debut recording for a major label (Island Records).

Guitarist Scott Ian laid down the crunchy riffs that became Anthrax’s signature trademark, fellow axeman Dan Spitz provided searing solos and Charlie Benante delivered an absolute monster of a drumming performance. His relentless, ridiculously rapid-fire beats on “Gung Ho” would lay the foundation for Benante’s best-in-the-businesses double bass work to follow.

“Spreading the Disease” was a huge step in songwriting ability over the band’s 1984 debut, “Fistful of Metal” - an excellent album in its own right. “Spreading” would set the stage for watershed follow-up, “Among the Living,” and the rest of the band’s fruitful career that continues to this day.

The 30th anniversary edition of “Spreading Disease” includes a bonus disc of goodies including a 1987 live performance from Japan, a Joey Belladonna vocal demo of “Medusa” and several rhythm track tapes of several “Spreading” songs in their infancy.

Anthrax’s highly anticipated new CD, “For All Kings,” the follow-up to “Worship Music” (2011), is out Feb. 26. The band has two upcoming area shows opening for Lamb of God: Jan. 23 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan and Jan. 26 at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville. The band’s lineup today includes Benante, Belladonna, Ian, Bello and lead guitarist Jonathan Donais.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Benante, who in addition to being Anthrax’s drummer is a talented guitarist and one of the band’s principle songwriters.

“Spreading the Disease” sounds as urgent and vital now as it did 30 years ago. That really says something in this day and age.

We approached it as this band of young guys on the verge of something. When I listened back I thought, ‘this is really exciting.’ We had a mission. It was a moment where you either shined or you didn’t shine. I think we really started to sound like ourselves, to come into our own, on that album. I remember going into “Spreading” with more of a direction (compared to first album “Fistful of Metal”) compared to guys going into the studio for the first time with eyes wide open.

“A.I.R.” is brimming with intensity. Did you know that would be the album’s first track right away?

The funny story about that song is the record was already done and “A.I.R.” wasn’t even written. I went back from Ithaca (where the band recorded “Spreading”) listening to the album all the way home and spent a couple of days with it and I felt something was missing. I had this other song with a title and everything and I made a demo and sent it up there. Scott called me and said, ‘this is awesome, come back up here we need to record this.’ You could tell the difference between “A.I.R” and the other songs on the record. I think it was a sign of what was coming, a bridge from “Spreading” to “Among the Living.”

Do you have any personal favorites from the album, any that you want to resurrect live?

There’s a song on the record called Lone Justice that we did attempt to play live back in the day and it just didn’t work. Now it’s in the set and it works. We have fun with it. There’s also a song on the record called “Aftershock” that I think can also be worked in somewhere at some time.

The energy and enthusiasm of the band really comes through on the live tracks. You play “The Enemy” at a considerably faster tempo than on the album.

It was our first time going to Japan. They were brand new songs and there was a lot of excitement. We were on fire. Playing the songs a lot faster live than on the album happened quite a bit back then.

Was Joey’s demo of “Medusa” his audition tape?

It wasn’t so much that as basically, ‘let’s see what he sounds like now on top of one of our songs.’ When he first came in for us to hear him sing he sang some cover tunes. We liked what he did and said, ‘here’s the lyrics to “Medusa.”’ That tape is him putting it down right then and there. I think we knew right then that it was a fit. We stopped recording and did two weeks of shows on the East Coast to see if it was going to work live too, and to give Joey a taste of what this was all about. I remember at some of the shows the kids were going nuts. Joey didn’t come from a metal background and I remember him saying ‘wow, this is wild.’

“Spreading” was also your first album for a major label, Island Records. How important was that for the band?

It was a huge achievement for us. Everybody wanted to make it that way, to be on a major label. We really liked Island. They were still kind of indie but they also had U2 and Bob Marley. They had no real metal so we were going to be their metal band.

What made you put in the early rhythm tracks for several of the songs as part of the bonus material?

I think people will enjoy it because you can hear the structure of the songs, before any vocals were put on it. It’s the evolution and the progress that we were making and you can hear the rawness too. I thought it was important to put that on the album.

Looking ahead, your new disc, “For All Kings,” will be out Feb. 26. Any thoughts on the album?

I don’t like to talk too much about how excited I am but it’s hard to contain it. I honestly think it may be our best record. If I didn’t feel it I wouldn’t say it. I just think that this record collectively, there are really strong songs on it all the way through.