Among The Living

Rips so hard I want to black out on Bud Light and worship Satan

I'd been holding off listening to this album for a while because I was sure I wouldn't like it. And while it's surely not my style of music, we've listened to so many worse albums in the interim that I don't think I can just damn it with one star. Were this a 10 star system, I'd probably give it a 2 - MAYBE a 3. But in this 5 star system, I've got to go with a 2, because it's not nearly as bad a some of the albums that have been virtually unlistenable. So cheers to Anthrax. You've earned this 2 by not sucking as much as others!!

“Among the Living” by Anthrax (1987) Never heard this album, nor anything by Anthrax, as far as I know. Since I’m not very familiar with the thrash genre, these comments will be limited in context. The musical settings are appropriately harsh and foreboding, evoking the rage of the generation that had had just about enough of Ronald Reagan. High energy and aggressive beats. Makes me want to just sit back and listen. A little Anthrax in the morning! Very entertaining, with plenty of variety in tempos (mostly fast) and rhythms (mostly driving) with extremely abrupt turns and shifts. No toe-tapping to this music. The only dancing one could do to these rhythms would be in a mosh pit. Drums and bass very disciplined, and excellent lead guitar colorings. Nice synchronization of rhythm guitar and bass. Drum work displays significant virtuosity; very well rehearsed. Overall, the band is talented, consistently able to carry the creative motivation of each song to its intended effect. Excellent technical production. Drums recorded with good separation and depth. Good mix. Lead vocals are suitable for the genre, a little weak on diction. Backing vocals are crisp, with good pitch control and range. “I Am the Law” is appealing, intentionally derivative of the artistic theme of the Judge Dredd character from “2000ad”. Musically and lyrically it captures the milieu. “N.F.L.” is a generationally appropriate homage to the life and death of John Belushi. Kind of a “thrashumentary”—a fitting tribute. I think Belushi would have liked it, and then paid tribute in return by satirizing it. The intro to “Medley: A.D.I./Horror of It All” all is a refreshing variation in the album’s sound texture, before jolting back into the thrash style. Nice work on acoustic twelve string. The Anthrax approach to musical and lyrical composition seems to be “commentary” on well-chosen cultural events and the common themes of rebellion and “anti-establishment” protest. But they don’t express it as well as predecessors Bob Dylan, Stephen Stills, Joni Mitchell, etc. Lacking subtlety and nuance in its moral judgments, Anthrax would seem somewhat immature to more thoughtful adolescents and young adults, who might be put off by the denunciatory and condescending sermonizing. “Imitation of Life” is a great example of this shortcoming, but it runs throughout the album. Overall, a good album, but not on par with Black Sabbath or Metallica. I liked listening to it. 3/5

Though I don’t necessarily mind Thrash, it’s hardly my thing; but this was surprisingly catchy and almost punk-ish at times.

A thrash classic. I feel like Anthrax gets a lot of disrespect; some say they shouldnt be considered one of the big 4 of the genre. I disagree (though a good case can be made for Testament in their place, but that's not important) they put out a lot of solid albums and this is the best of them all. It's a lot of fun.

Today is my birthday. I woke up in anticipation. Would my birthday album be one of my all-time favorite classics, maybe something by Pink Floyd, The Beatles, or The Velvet Underground? Or would I be thrilled to discover some masterpiece that I wasn't already familiar with? No, it turns out to be this garbage. Ugh. This is awful. My birthday is ruined! 1 star.

The brutal rhythm guitar work of Scott Ian and the explosive drumming of Charlie Benante relentlessly push the songs along while still maintaining a solid groove, and more than make up for some lyrical awkwardness. Among the Living remains arguably Anthrax's foremost achievement.

Reminded me a lot of a slightly worse Metallica

Can tell you that it’s more fun listening to Anthrax, than being infected by it.

I did not have a positive view of Anthrax and have never listened to more than a few snippets here and there. There were a lot of negative assumptions that I had back in the day and I am still dealing with those today. I was surprised by the themes that the band chose to address in this album. The songs deal with real issues - surprising themes for thrash metal. Yet they still manage to make it fun. I did not expect this. This album is a bit harder than I usually rock these days but I like and appreciate it. This first time through I was disabused me of my Anthrax misconceptions, the second time through I became a fan.

Had a teacher who was a roadie for anthrax

Thought I would hate this one but turns out I liked it a lot. Liked the music and the lyrics.

This alum was Anthrax awaking as a Big-4 Thrash band (Metallica; Megadeth; Slayer). It was filled with hardcore kick ass but unlike their Big-4 counterparts Anthrax also liked to have fun. My first introduction to them was the succeeding EP called I’m the Man, where they became the first rap-metal band. I use a gavel in my classroom that is inscribed with I am the Law” from this album. Indians might be considered cultural appropriation today but back then it was a stadium anthem to get the crowd cheering. Anthrax when one to create other better (and worse)albums but this one still stands the test of time. Of their eleven albums I’d put this at #5, which should be a “3”. Personal bias stealing this from my brother on cassette included and four great tracks, I’m going to give this a 4!

Fucking metal. Great rhythms and riff. It's just powers through, every track with driving energy. My only complaint (and why I'm not giving it 5 stars) is that it does lack variety.

Among the Living is the third studio album by American thrash metal band Anthrax, released in 1987. The album is considered one of the band's best works, as well as one of the most influential albums in the genre. It features some of the band's most popular songs, such as "Caught in a Mosh", "I Am the Law", and "Indians". The album showcases Anthrax's signature style of fast, aggressive, and catchy riffs, combined with humorous and socially conscious lyrics. The band also experiments with different influences, such as hardcore punk, rap, and horror movies. The album is praised for its production, musicianship, and songwriting, as well as its energy and attitude. However, not everyone may enjoy this album, especially if they prefer other thrash metal bands such as Metallica. Some may find the album too noisy, chaotic, or silly. Some may also dislike the vocals of Joey Belladonna, who has a more melodic and clean voice than other thrash metal singers. Some may also prefer the darker and more serious themes of other thrash metal albums. Among the Living is an important and worth listening to album for any fan of thrash metal or heavy metal in general. It is a classic and influential album that showcases Anthrax's, but personally I’d listen to Metallica over this if given the choice, and I’m not a big enough metal head to come back to this one.

Listening to this just feels like wasting time, I am not on this thrash metal wavelength at all. The songs are more meaningful than they sound like they would be, the socially conscious themes and such. And there's a lot of technical skill, particularly in the speed of the playing. But as they say, just because you can doesn't mean you should. Did not enjoy.

Captivating chuga-chuga-chuga rhythm all the way through. They seem fascinated by death but largely against it, which is nice. I liked it!

4 Look, I’ve never claimed to be the biggest metal fan - as of this writing my Summary page on this site even has it listed as one of my least favorite genres. It’s just never been one that’s spoken to me much, and I just don’t think there are a ton of associated albums I would rate highly (see: Pantera). Now, that all being said, this is one of those exceptions. When it comes to the “Big Four” of metal (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax), I’m fully in Anthrax’s corner. I’m not even entirely sure why that is - I can admit they don’t sound drastically different from the others, but there’s something about Joey Belladonna’s contrastingly clean high-pitched vocals and the backing chants that really set the band apart for me. And then there’s the speed of the music - the band rips so hard so fast that I can’t be convinced that there isn’t at least a degree of punk influence in there. Sure, it can be pretty same-y, but the thrash nature makes the album (and individual songs) feel so much shorter than they are. It’s just one rapid-fire flash of moshable material after another, without any hint of slowing down. Speaking of, Caught in a Mosh is not only a highlight of the album and an exemplification of all things that make this band work, but probably one of the best tunes to ever come out of the genre. It’s also a personal favorite of mine to listen to while working out - whenever my Spotify shuffles it in, I know I’m about to absolutely crush my next set (sorry if too bro-y, but if you find yourself at the gym I recommend tossing it in in the queue). Among metal’s best for me, but it might just be because of my punk background. Regardless, I enjoyed quite a bit.

I AM THE LAW

I’ve always be a fan of Slayer and also partially to early Metallica. I’ve struggled to find a place for Anthrax in my mind - they are ever present in the era but I failed to hear a memorable album until this one. It starts wonderfully with thrash banger after banger - then it evens out to a solid album. Feels like the last two tracks have been forced on and could have done without them. I also went and listened to Reign in Blood, Master of Puppets and Kill ‘em all to place this album in that hall of fame and it fits nicely trailing closely behind the other behemoths. All in all a solid trash album

One of the prime albums in Thrash and helped establish Anthrax as a force to be reckoned with in 4 way of ‘best thrash band’

An already biased opinion as a metal head! The Metallica homages are evident. Crisp, dry drums that are synonymous with thrash metal hammer away with barely intelligable lyrics encourage head banging. A properly adjusted equaliser makes more difference than it has rights to in order to elevate the sound.

Ga ga ga ga junga ga junga. My inner Beavis is shining. I enjoyed this more than I expected. Doubt I'll ever listen to it again, but I am glad to have heard it before I died.

Damn I liked this. I'm actually shocked. For me this is closer to Never Mind the Bollocks then it is to Paranoid, which I did not expect. The guitar histrionics tend to be short blasts then long drawn out wank-fests. 3 🌟

I am very much not familiar with this band, or with the genre in general, and yet, this album's lyrics and instrumentals were pretty damn cool to me. The vocals are mixed weirdly, though, so you gotta get used to that.

This album is really, really good. Like Metallica Black album good. Which is why I found it so strange that it's average rating is below a 3. Sure, it's thrash metal and that's not everyone's cup of tea. But there is a lot of melody surrounding their frantic playing, which is why I think they were part of the thrash elite. Same as Metallica. They found a way to make what some though was the devil's music a little heavenly. I have never listened to Anthrax before except for their mash-up with Public Enemy, but I loved the first three songs (title track, Caught in a Mosh, I Am the Law). Pounding but melodic instrumentals (so many good hooks), respectable lyrics and vocals, and enough complex/odd time signatures to make you realize these guys had some real ability. The lyrics were edgier and sharper on side two (Indians, Imitation of Life), where the music was just a little less sharp. But still a great listening experience. Anthrax really nailed it with this album. I think it's an absolute classic.

Huh. So apparently I do enjoy thrash metal I just hate growly demon vocals.

It's not really my genre, but this is a solid thrash metal album. I did like how clearly each instrument and the vocals came through, it was very easy to parse the music whereas sometimes thrash metal sounds like a messy car wreck with everything tangled together. No favourite track on this album for me, I didn't really connect with it much. And I'm glad to see more metal on this list in general, so no regrets listening through.

Nr. 152/1001 Among the Living 3/5 Caught in a Mosh 2/5 I Am the Law 2/5 NFL 3/5 A Skeleton in the Closet 2/5 Indians 3/5 One World 2/5 Medley 3/5 Imitation of Life 2/5 Average: 2,44 Just goes too hard for my personal taste.

The worst band of the big 4. I'd put testament in their place instead. Musically very sound but the vocals suck ass. Other contemporaries embrace the fact they can't sing but anthrax does the opposite. They try to add some catchy singable lines but it just does not work out at all. Musically a 4 Vocally a 1 That leaves me hanging between a 2 and a 3. Because I will not revisit it gets a 2

Too much head banging

## In-Depth Review: *Among the Living* by Anthrax ### **Overview** Released in 1987, *Among the Living* is Anthrax’s third studio album and a landmark in thrash metal. It marked the band’s full embrace of thrash, blending East Coast hardcore energy with Bay Area technicality, and stands as a defining record of the genre’s golden era[4][5][3]. The album is both a tribute to their influences and a bold statement of their own identity, featuring a unique mix of humor, social commentary, pop culture references, and relentless musical energy. --- ## **Lyrics** ### **Themes and Storytelling** *Among the Living* is renowned for its eclectic lyricism, which draws from a variety of sources: - **Pop Culture & Fiction:** - “I Am the Law” is a tribute to the comic book antihero Judge Dredd, capturing his uncompromising nature with lines like “I am the law, and you won’t fuck around no more”[4][6]. - “Among the Living” and “A Skeleton in the Closet” are inspired by Stephen King’s *The Stand* and *Apt Pupil*, respectively, reflecting the band’s love for horror and literature[4][6]. - **Social Commentary:** - “Indians” addresses the mistreatment of Native Americans, with lines urging respect and recognition of historical injustices[4][6]. - “One World” warns of nuclear annihilation, echoing Cold War anxieties. - “Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)” is a protest against drug abuse, inspired by John Belushi’s death[4][6]. - **Personal & Everyday Struggles:** - “Caught in a Mosh” channels frustration and communication breakdown, using the mosh pit as a metaphor for life’s chaos[4][6]. ### **Style and Tone** Anthrax’s lyrics on this album are notable for their mix of serious and playful tones. The band often uses humor and irony, even when addressing weighty topics, which sets them apart from their more somber thrash peers[6]. Critics have described the lyrics as having a “childish veneer” or “cartoony tone,” but this youthful energy is also cited as a key part of the album’s enduring appeal[3]. ### **Pros** - Wide thematic range (pop culture, social issues, personal angst) - Memorable hooks and catchphrases (“I am the law,” “WAAAARRRRDANCE!”) - Balances humor with genuine commentary ### **Cons** - Some lyrics can feel juvenile or simplistic, especially compared to the more cerebral work of their peers[3][7] - Occasional reliance on clichés or “kumbaya” messaging (“One World” criticized for this)[7] --- ## **Music** ### **Instrumentation and Songwriting** - **Guitar Work:** Scott Ian’s rhythm guitar delivers razor-sharp, palm-muted riffs that drive the album’s energy. Dan Spitz’s lead guitar provides fiery, melodic solos that add technical flair[5]. - **Bass and Drums:** Frank Bello’s bass is thick and punchy, anchoring the sound, while Charlie Benante’s drumming is a tour de force of double bass, fills, and relentless speed[5]. - **Vocals:** Joey Belladonna’s soaring, melodic vocals set Anthrax apart from other thrash acts, who often favored gruffer, harsher styles. His delivery is both powerful and catchy, making choruses instantly memorable[5]. - **Gang Vocals:** Group chants and gang vocals are a signature element, lending a communal, anthemic feel to tracks like “Caught in a Mosh” and “Indians”[3][5]. While some find this energizing, others see it as repetitive. ### **Song Structures** The album is packed with high-tempo thrashers, but Anthrax also incorporates breakdowns, tempo shifts, and melodic interludes. The songwriting is tight, with each track offering distinct hooks and memorable moments. However, some critics argue that the album peaks too early, with the title track setting a standard that later songs don’t always match[3]. ### **Pros** - Precision and energy in every performance - Memorable riffs and solos - Melodic, accessible vocals - Dynamic arrangements (breakdowns, tempo changes) ### **Cons** - Some tracks feel formulaic or less inspired than the standouts[3][7] - Gang vocals can become monotonous for some listeners[7] - A few songs are criticized for “gray masses of palm-muted monotony”[7] --- ## **Production** ### **Sound Quality** Produced by Eddie Kramer (noted for work with Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin), the album boasts a crisp, powerful sound. The production allows every instrument to shine: guitars are sharp, drums are thunderous, and vocals are clear[5]. Unlike many thrash albums of the era, which often suffered from muddy mixes, *Among the Living* is sonically balanced and impactful. ### **Atmosphere** The production enhances the album’s intensity without sacrificing clarity. The mix supports the band’s high-speed attack and ensures that even the busiest passages remain distinct. The clean yet heavy sound was innovative for its time and contributed to the album’s accessibility and enduring appeal[5]. ### **Pros** - Clean, balanced mix with every instrument audible - Retains raw energy while offering clarity - Powerful drum and guitar tones ### **Cons** - Some may find the production too polished compared to rawer thrash albums - Belladonna’s vocals occasionally get lost in the mix, especially during gang vocal sections[7] --- ## **Themes** ### **Key Motifs** - **Rebellion and Authority:** Songs like “I Am the Law” and “Caught in a Mosh” explore themes of authority, resistance, and frustration with the status quo. - **Social Justice and Awareness:** “Indians” and “One World” address historical and contemporary injustices, reflecting a socially conscious edge. - **Pop Culture and Escapism:** References to comics, horror, and celebrity culture (e.g., John Belushi) infuse the album with a sense of fun and relatability. - **Mortality and Loss:** “Horror of It All” is a somber tribute to Metallica’s Cliff Burton, adding emotional depth to the album[6]. ### **Balance of Fun and Seriousness** Anthrax’s willingness to blend serious topics with humor and pop culture references gives the album a unique personality. This approach makes the album accessible and enjoyable, even when tackling heavy subject matter[5][6]. --- ## **Influence and Legacy** ### **Impact on Thrash Metal** - *Among the Living* is widely regarded as a cornerstone of thrash metal, helping to define the genre’s sound in the late 1980s[5][4]. - The album’s fusion of hardcore punk energy, technical thrash musicianship, and melodic vocals influenced countless bands in the metal and hardcore scenes[4][5]. - Its success helped bring thrash into the mainstream, alongside albums by Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth-the so-called “Big Four” of thrash[5]. ### **Cultural Influence** - The album’s pop culture references and humor set Anthrax apart from their peers, making them more relatable and broadening their appeal[5]. - Songs like “Caught in a Mosh” and “Indians” became anthems, with phrases entering the metal lexicon and live shows becoming legendary for their energy. ### **Enduring Appeal** - Decades after its release, *Among the Living* remains a staple of Anthrax’s live sets and a touchstone for new generations of metal fans[5]. - Its blend of energy, technical skill, and personality ensures its place as one of the defining albums of thrash metal. --- ## **Pros and Cons** | Pros | Cons | |----------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------| | Iconic riffs and solos | Some tracks feel formulaic or less inspired | | Memorable, melodic vocals | Gang vocals can become repetitive | | Tight, energetic band chemistry | Lyrics sometimes juvenile or simplistic | | Balanced, powerful production | Occasional loss of vocal clarity in the mix | | Wide thematic range (social issues, pop culture, humor) | Album peaks early, with later tracks not always matching the opener | | Influential and accessible-bridged underground and mainstream thrash | Some critics prefer more serious or raw approaches to thrash | --- ## **Conclusion** *Among the Living* is a thrash metal classic that stands out for its infectious energy, technical prowess, and unique blend of humor, pop culture, and social commentary. The album’s strengths-memorable riffs, melodic vocals, tight musicianship, and crisp production-have ensured its enduring influence and popularity. While not without flaws (occasional lyrical immaturity, some formulaic tracks, and a tendency to peak early), the album’s personality and impact far outweigh its shortcomings. *Among the Living* remains a must-listen for any metal fan and a defining statement of what makes thrash metal both thrilling and fun. > “We wanted to make a record that people could go crazy to, but also something that felt fun. Thrash didn’t have to be all doom and gloom-it could have energy and life.” > - Charlie Benante *Among the Living* captures that spirit perfectly-fierce, fun, and unforgettable.

What a pleasant surprise! I don't own and even don't know this album. The image of Anthrax din not appeal to me. And I think I listened to one other album when I was of the right age, but that wasn't my thing. This is! The star of the album is absolutely drummer Charlie Benante. His drumming is phenomenal, he really carries the band and leads them through the tempo changes smoothly as grease. Best songs? I guess the obvious ones: Caught in a mosh, and Indians - that has a nice hommage to Iron Maiden. And maybe the medley. Great!

Good

A great album by one of my favorite Metal bands.

Bought on the day it came out

The year this album dropped, a slew of metal bands started taking over the airwaves. I instantly gravitated to most of them, mainly because they were often close enough to the pop music I'd been immersed in, but also because Back to the Future made me fall in love with guitar solos. Plus, I was nearing teenhood, so their obsession with sex fed right into my hormones. I'm not entirely sure when I found Among the Living, probably in 89 or early 1990. I never heard them on the radio in those days, but thankfully I had a friend who was into them. I do know that it was critical in shifting my tastes though. Zero songs about love and getting laid, which I'd come to believe was the center of the genre. Their lyrics were more thoughtful. They had opinions to share with the world on social issues. And for a nerdy kid who was into horror and comics, the fact they had songs inspired by both completely resonated with me. Oh yeah, and they had a sense of humor too, though they weren't heavily leaning on it. I kept up with them through the 90s, eventually getting to see them play a few times and getting to meet Scott Ian once thanks to my decision to wear my Public Enemy tee to their concert. You could argue Joey's vocals are dated, and while I won't disagree much I think it perfectly fit them at that time. I've lived with their music long enough it's never bothered me, but I'm sure plenty of uninitiated listeners won't be on board. Their loss though. Hopefully the riffs, basslines, and Charlie's beats, all of which are timeless, can still win over new fans. Listening to it again today, I'm reminded there's not a weak song in the bunch. It never loses steam. And, yeah, I still love it.

Exactly what I needed today. Classic thrash excellence.

Hell yeah! That was a wild ride. I love Thrash Metal!

🤘🏼

This definitely scratches an itch. For whatever reason, I've recently been craving a lot of metal, particularly thrash metal. And this is exactly the kind of thing I want to hear.

Took me back to the summer between high school and college. So many great memories associated with this one.

Very good

Oh man, teenage flashback with this one, a real guilty pleasure that I didn't tell anyone I loved. My older brother loved metal and I would sneak his cassettes when he wasnt home, normally was listening to late 80s hip hop but this album is a banger

Genius - nuff said

I AM THE LAW

This fucking slaps If I was gonna nitpick, I’d say it’s maybe a track too long and I’m not a fan of screechy vocals in metal. Your Dio‘s your Rob Halfords etc. But those really are just nitpicks, this is proper eighties thrash metal and I can’t believe I’ve never heard it before. Gonna listen to more Anthrax. Caught in a Mosh and I am the Law (shout out for the Judge Dredd reference) are highlights, but I don’t think there was a duff track on it and all of it grooves, which is very important. 5/5

Unreal thrash album. Has to be one of the best of its era and genre. Unrelenting and full of bangers. Can't believe I haven't listened to it since I was a kid. What I love about it the most is that it actually sounds fun. Might be the slightly clearer singing style or the midsong shifts in dynamics but it doesn't get bogged down in the whole murky and muddy sound of similar thrash bands trying to be the most evil or badass sounding. Noticed a NY Hardcore/punk influence on this with the overlapped vocals and gang shout style which maybe adds to the fun of it. Get the impression they don't take themselves too seriously. Standouts: All of it but especially... Among the Living Caught in a Mosh A Skeleton in the Closet One World Imitation of Life Low Points: Couldn't name one. Loved every moment. So fucking good.

Partially for nostalgia reasons I still really enjoy this, I used to love all that thrash metal when I was a teenager. I realise why I stopped listening to it as much though, since it does get a bit tiring towards the end despite being just a 50 min album. Great riffs and super fun regardless.

Welcome to my gym playlist, Anthrax

Uh... 5 stars for this one! Thrash metal??? How can you go wrong, love this shit!!! 🤘🏽

9.5/10. It's bloody Anthrax. They are among the big four thrash metal bands!!! The album is dope, and revolutionary. It features a plethora of amazing riffs!!! :)

10

I'm not typically a thrash metal fan but this album surprised me! The first song Among the Living had me a bit worried for the rest of the album but it kind of warmed me up for what was to come. I can't say I comprehended all the lyrics, but what I could hear were very progressive, very liberal ideas. It always surprises me for some reason when a metal band has progressive lyrics because I feel like metal at some point became associated with machismo. But more often than not you have these lyrics that nobody can hear or understand and because the music is so fast and loud a certain type of person adopts this as their music. There is a guy I work with who loves System of a Down, Pearl Jam, and Rage Against the Machine. He plays them all day every day and he is clearly a right leaning republican. It kills me. He has no idea. Anyway, I should have never judged Anthrax by their deadly chemical powder name because I surprisingly enjoyed the messages they scream on this and the thrash they exude. For anyone not into thrash, this is maybe the best there is.

Metallica = earth Megadeth = wind Slayer = fire ...and Anthrax would be water 💦 Just experienced them all yay. Did I got it right?

Another great album

Great album

Drokk it!

4.5/5 Outstanding metal, which is written, performed and produced fantastically. There are no bad songs, and the album flows really well. Among The Living 3.5/5 Caught In A Mosh 4/5 I Am The Law 4/5 Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.) 5/5 A Skeleton In The Closet 4/5 Indians 4/5 One World 4.5/5 Medley: A.D.I. / Horror Of It All 5/5 (FAV) Imitation Of Life 3.5/5 (LEAST FAV)

I’m not a huge thrash metal fan but this was actually really good. I loved the high octane wild energy and this has honestly potentially introduced me to a genre I never would have been interested in if it weren’t for this album.

Bangin

I'm somehow much more familiar with Slayer and early Metallica than with Anthrax, that I always saw as second fiddle in the genre. Glad 1001albums changes this situation. I love Reign in Blood and Master of Puppets, and Among The Living deserves its rightful place at their side. Everything is really good: strong rhythm section, fast and precise guitar riffs, good singing (although I find it sometimes a bit too prominent). Really enjoyed this time Among the Living.

Classic metal

Great thrash

Stellar record deservedly cementing Anthrax as one of the Big Four.

Easily the most underrated of thrash metal’s Big Four. The classic Anthrax lineup is a powerhouse and they never seemed more fully developed than on Among The Living. Their New York-inspired punkier approach to the genre makes Anthrax quite distinct when compared to the other heavyweights - and makes for some perfect stadium singalong choruses.

Yeah, still great.

Wow, that was an amazing album. For some reason I always ignored them, but this was a great listen.

This ROCKS 5/5

This absolutely whips ass.

Really good thrash metal. Some of the pioneers. Clean and fun

what a nice and relaxing album

Meh

Awesome - like a New York young Metallica

hell yeah

Im pretty certain I’ve heard Anthrax before, but I couldn’t say which songs. I definitely remember expecting them to be a screamy/growly band and being surprised that they were not. It should hopefully be fun to hear an album in full, so let’s listen! Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Caught In A Mosh, I Am The Law, Indians What if all those hippies who sang about wanting peace and love went a different route and instead started a thrash metal band? The answer is Anthrax. This whole album has the running theme of wanting peace and getting rid of all discrimination, but it goes about it angrily instead of with acoustic guitars and vocal harmonies. There is not a single bad song on this album. The vocals are great (I was less keen on the high pitched power screams, but otherwise they’re great), the guitars and bass are low and dirty, and the drums are like machine guns. Loved this album.

One of the forefathers of 80's Thrash Metal. Their music definitely has an 80's quality to it, but it still stands the test of time. ROCK ON!

"Among the Living" is the third album by heavy metal band Anthrax. It is considered their breakthrough album and thrust them into the thrash metal top four bands which also included Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer. The album was dedicated to Metallica's bassist Cliff Burton whom they were friends with. Anthrax members include Joey Belladonna (lead vocals), Dan Spitz (lead guitar. Vocals), Scott Ian (rhythm guitar, vocals), Frank Bello (bass, vocals) and Charlie Benante (drums). Commercially, the album hit #62 in the US and #18 in the UK and critically, received much acclaim. Guitar and thunderous drums open "Among the Living." A standard metal-sounding slow pace and then Kaboom! The pace drastically picks up and we're into thrash. A crazy guitar solo. Lots of crazy guitar solos throughout this album. Their anthem "Caught in a Mosh" has a similar slower start with a strumming acoustic guitar before the thrash onslaught. Comparing the mosh pit to life struggles. Drummer Benante standing out. "Efilnikufsin (N.F.L)" doesn't even bother with a slow start. An epic guitar solo. A protest test song about drug abuse. No not the football league but read it backwards (nice f'n life). Side two begins with "Indians." Thrash with a decent melody. Die, cry for the Indians. "A.D.I./Horror of It All" is a tribute to Cliff Burton. And, yeah this does sound like Metallica circa "Master of Puppets" era. A song split into acoustic and thrash halves. Yeah, this is a great album and worthy of elevating them into the thrash elite. Great drumming,. Great guitar. Great vocals. Pace changes. Interesting and different lyrics for this style. An album to put your children to be to? Well, not quite. Annoy your neighbor? Absolutely.

so fucking fast and loud! Love it. I've never loved Anthrax as much as their big time contemporaries, Slayer, Metallica, or Megadeth. Something about the vocals... which makes me want to give this a 4. But they deserve the 5!

Liked this way more than expected. More punk and hardcore than other thrash metal, which suited me. Also more fun than the other overly serious big four thrash acts, and metal in general. I like this better than every Metallica album I’ve listened to. A lot of surprising turns and speed shifts in the songs and less indulgent guitar wankery than feared. Powerful, tightly packed bursts of thrash. I also like the political lyrics and varied singing styles, especially the hardcore-styled back up vocals. Even veers into rap rock territory and does it right. Surely inspired hardcore I like. Chuga-chugg-chugg have a surprise five!

Another classic. Love the first half of this album and enjoy the second half to a lesser extent. “Talking to you is like clapping with one hand” is burned into my brain from my dad. Also s/o for talking about the mistreatment and evil done to Native Americans, this and Run to the Hills by Iron Maiden were the first concepts in my young mind that the US is historically fucked

I wore this tape out when this album was new. Killer album. An all time favourite for me. Listened thru twice and it still holds up. One of the greats in this genre. Dedicated to Cliff Burton. 'Nuff said.

LP

First two tracks are standouts, bass intro on Caught in a Mosh is killer. N.F.L., Indians and One World also very good, crushing riffs throughout.

Ondanks dat ik wel van het bestaan af wist van de "Big Four" van de thrash metal, had ik eigenlijk nog nooit wat geluisterd van Anthrax. Ik was ook erg verrast dat het heel erg richting de hardcore punk gaat. Het mixt eigenlijk (glam)metal met hardcore punk en het staat niet in de hoogste versnelling, maar hanteert een tempo dat je nog bij kan houden met headbangen. Ietwat gedateerd, je hoort dat het uit de 80s komt, maar eigenlijk moddervet. Ik vind dit veel beter dan Megadeth of Slayer. 4 sterren plus een bonuspuntje

Damn, what a great album. I only listened to a little Anthrax back in the day - I remember hearing "I'm the Man" a ton of times. This album features a tight band with massive riffs, catchy hooks, great singing, and slightly cheesy lyrics (although songs like Indians, One World, and ADI/Horror of it all certainly take on serious topics). The reliance on pop culture (Judge Dredd, Stephen King books) is probably where it gets cheesiest, but it just ROCKS. Joey Belladonna skirts the line of cheesy metal singer but he's so good it works. This also took me down the rabbit hole watching videos of I'm the Man, I am the Law, Caught in a Mosh, and multiple videos of them playing Bring the Noise with Public Enemy. Awesome. I'll forgive the cheese, because it's part of what makes the album fun, and give it a 5.

Already love it

I love Anthrax

Fajne

Back in 1987, Metal was not my thing and I resented the Goth bands who were introducing Metal influences... But I heard 'Indians' and liked it so much I bought the single, and then the 'Among The Living' album. And finally I'd found some Metal that I liked. 36 years on I still like it very much.

Hell yes!! Still as good as when it came out.

This is probably the best thrash metal album I’ve heard.

Used to love a bunch of these songs when I had a metal phase and they still hold up for me

Great album no filler just great thrash

Heavy metal for the win

One of those albums that I've heard more times than I've had hot dinners. Covered most of it live at some point, it's a rhythm guitarist's dream. Scott and Charlie really knew what they were doing here. I prefer spreading the disease but both are 5/5 albums anyway.

I played the heck out of this album back in middle school and high school. It still rocks!

Probably my least favorite of the Big Four, but goddamn if it ain’t still a masterpiece that they got here. Hats off to the drums and rhythm guitar in particular; they elevated this to a 5 for me.

In another life, Anthrax would have easily been the top of the Big 4 for me. I just love their humor so much. Metallica only pulls on nostalgia and showmanship to win.

Epá, isto é um senhor álbum, nem sou um grande fã de anthrax mas este álbum esta carregado de Bangers atrás de Bangers. Um álbum clássico, tem reunidas das melhores músicas da banda sendo que devido ao meu estado de espírito foi tão bom de ouvir. São claramente a banda mais fraca dos Big Four, mas não deixam de ser maus e merecem de ser considerados nesta lista. As guitarras são geniais, a bateria também, a voz do senhor encaixa-se no que eles pretendem executar musicalmente. Muito surpreso, foi muito bom e tendo em conta isto tudo vou dar um 9. Onde surge o problema? É que dei 8 ao Master of Puppets , pontuação errada que não merece, devia ter dado o 9. Mas não vamos falar de erros passados. Melhor Música? O Indians seguido do Caught in the Mosh. Nota: 9/10 Data:10/07/2024