Artist: Anthrax Album: Among the Living

Year: 1987
Duration: 50:17

A of the Album: Among the Living, by Anthrax

In the world of thrash metal, Anthrax is one of the most significant and influential bands. Among the Living, their third studio album, released in 1987, put them on the map and went on to become a classic of the genre. In this post, we'll be taking a of Among the Living. We'll delve into the history of the band, the music genre of the album, the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts, and give an all-around critique of this classic album.
Anthrax began in 1981, in New York City and was one of the big four thrash bands, alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer. The band's early sound was more polished than their contemporaries, with intelligent lyrics, and an emphasis on melody. The band's first album, Fistful of Metal, released in 1984, received mixed reviews, but their second album, Spreading the Disease, released in 1985, was a massive hit among metal fans.
Among the Living, released in 1987, takes its name from the Stephen King novel, The Stand. The album starts with the title track, an all-time classic that illustrates the band's mastery of creating memorable and complex guitar riffs. The next track, Caught in a Mosh, is arguably the most popular track on the album, with its fast, headbang-inducing rhythm.
Other notable tracks are Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.), a tribute to NFL players, I Am The Law, a tribute to Judge Dredd, and Indians, which arguably has the most extended intro on the album. The lyrics were politically charged and anti-racist, featured a lead riff played on a sampled didgeridoo, and chant-along choruses that make it an unforgettable song on the album.
The innovative parts of Among the Living are the band's experimentation with different sounds and arrangements. For instance, the song A Skeleton in the Closet has an eerie intro, with strummed, open strings, before the heavy rhythm kicks in. The song Horror of It All features spoken word segments by a horror film actress from the 1950s. The album's closing track, Imitation of Life, has a distinctively different feel from the rest of the album, an instrumental featuring piano and acoustic guitar.
While Among the Living is an all-around masterpiece, it's not without flaws. Some of the songs on the album are weaker than others, and at times the lyrics can be a bit cheesy. Despite that, the album has a raw and unfiltered sound, excellent instrumentals, and a charismatic vocal performance by Joey Belladonna.
In conclusion, Anthrax's Among the Living is a classic thrash metal album that has stood the test of time. It's an album that is perfect for any metalhead's collection, and it's an essential piece for any thrash metal enthusiast. The album is not without its flaws, but it's still a timeless classic that continues to inspire and thrill newer generations of music lovers. Anthrax cemented their place in the annals of history with this album, and it remains one of their best works to date.
In conclusion, Anthrax's Among the Living is a classic thrash metal album that has stood the test of time. It's an album that is perfect for any metalhead's collection, and it's an essential piece for any thrash metal enthusiast. The album is not without its flaws, but it's still a timeless classic that continues to inspire and thrill newer generations of music lovers. Anthrax cemented their place in the annals of history with this album, and it remains one of their best works to date.