Anthrax

Anthrax is an American heavy metal band formed in New York City in 1981, widely regarded as one of the «Big Four» of thrash metal alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer. Founded by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker, the band went through several lineup changes before settling into its classic formation with Ian, drummer Charlie Benante, guitarist Dan Spitz, bassist Frank Bello, and vocalist Joey Belladonna. Signed to Megaforce Records, the same label that launched Metallica, Anthrax released its debut album «Fistful of Metal» in 1984.

What set Anthrax apart from its thrash contemporaries was a willingness to embrace humor, comic-book and horror-movie imagery, and a slightly more playful attitude within an otherwise ferocious sound built on breakneck riffing and gang-shout choruses. Albums like «Spreading the Disease» and «Among the Living» became genre staples, with tracks such as «Caught in a Mosh», «Indians», and «I Am the Law» showcasing the band’s blend of aggression and accessibility.

Anthrax also helped bridge metal and hip-hop through their collaboration with Public Enemy on a reworked version of «Bring the Noise», a landmark crossover moment for both genres. Despite numerous lineup shifts over the decades, the band has remained a defining force in thrash metal.