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Anthrax

Anthrax brought New York attitude, comic-book energy, gang-shouted choruses and pit-starting riffs into thrash metal, becoming one of the Big Four while carving out a stranger, funnier and more groove- driven identity than their West Coast peers.

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Formed
1981
Origin
New York, USA
Albums
11
Records Sold
10M+
Latest Album
For All Kings
Background

About Anthrax

Anthrax formed in New York City in 1981, founded by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker. While Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth were developing the West Coast side of thrash, Anthrax came from a different environment: more streetwise, more hardcore- adjacent, more openly nerdy and far less afraid of humour. Their early sound combined speed metal, punk energy and precise riffing, but the band’s personality quickly made them stand apart.

The first album, Fistful of Metal, introduced Anthrax as a raw, high-speed metal band with Neil Turbin on vocals. Their identity sharpened when Joey Belladonna joined for Spreading the Disease in 1985. Belladonna’s cleaner, more melodic voice gave Anthrax a different shape from many thrash bands, letting songs like Madhouse and A.I.R. balance speed with big, chantable hooks.

Anthrax’s classic moment arrived with Among the Living in 1987. The album turned them into one of thrash metal’s essential bands, with Caught in a Mosh, Indians, I Am the Law and the title track becoming permanent live staples. Their willingness to write about comics, Stephen King, Judge Dredd and mosh-pit culture gave them a pop-culture edge that made them feel different from the darker and more overtly sinister bands around them.

The 1990s brought major changes. Anthrax collaborated with Public Enemy on Bring the Noise, one of the most important early rap-metal crossover moments. Joey Belladonna then left and John Bush joined for Sound of White Noise, giving the band a heavier, moodier and more groove-driven sound. Belladonna later returned, and albums such as Worship Music and For All Kings restored Anthrax as a vital modern thrash band rather than just a legacy act.

Ranked

Top 10 Anthrax Songs

Ranked by songwriting craft, thrash impact, live legacy and how well each track represents a key Anthrax era.

01
Indians
Among the Living
Indians is Anthrax at their most complete: huge riffs, gang vocals, a socially conscious lyric and the legendary “wardance” breakdown that still detonates live crowds. It captures the band’s ability to be serious without losing their sense of movement and fun. For many fans, this is the definitive Anthrax song.
1987
02
Caught in a Mosh
Among the Living
A perfect mosh-pit anthem and one of the most physically exciting songs in the thrash catalogue. Frank Bello’s bass intro sets up the chaos before the whole band locks into a riff that feels like it was built specifically to move a crowd. It is funny, angry and completely unstoppable.
1987
03
Madhouse
Spreading the Disease
The song that announced the classic Joey Belladonna-era Anthrax sound. Madhouse is fast and metallic, but it also has a clean, memorable chorus that made it stand out from the more abrasive side of mid-80s thrash. It remains one of their most recognisable tracks.
1985
04
Among the Living
Among the Living
Inspired by Stephen King’s The Stand, the title track is one of Anthrax’s greatest opening statements. It is fast, cinematic and packed with the type of riffing that made the album a thrash classic. The song immediately places Anthrax in their own comic-book-meets-horror universe.
1987
05
I Am the Law
Among the Living
Based on the comic-book character Judge Dredd, I Am the Law is one of the clearest examples of Anthrax’s pop- culture DNA. The riff is heavy and direct, the chorus is built for shouting, and the subject matter made the band feel like metal’s comic-shop weirdos in the best possible way.
1987
06
Antisocial
State of Euphoria
Originally by French band Trust, Antisocial became one of Anthrax’s biggest live favourites. The cover works because Anthrax make it sound completely natural: simple, direct, aggressive and impossible not to chant along with. It gave them one of their most accessible anthems.
1988
07
Got the Time
Persistence of Time
Another cover turned into a signature Anthrax moment, this time from Joe Jackson. Got the Time is short, frantic and built around one of Frank Bello’s most famous bass performances. It shows how well Anthrax could absorb outside material and make it feel like pure thrash.
1990
08
Bring the Noise
Attack of the Killer B’s
The Public Enemy collaboration is one of the most important rap-metal crossover tracks ever recorded. It did not invent the idea of mixing hip-hop and metal, but it proved the two worlds could collide with real force and credibility. It is also a perfect reflection of Anthrax’s open-mindedness.
1991
09
Only
Sound of White Noise
The best introduction to the John Bush era. Only slows the band’s attack into something heavier, groovier and more modern without losing the Anthrax punch. Bush’s voice gives the song a darker authority, and the riff remains one of Scott Ian’s strongest 90s moments.
1993
10
In the End
Worship Music
A modern Anthrax highlight and one of the strongest songs from the Belladonna reunion era. Written as a tribute to Ronnie James Dio and Dimebag Darrell, In the End has a grand, emotional weight that shows the band aging without losing power.
2011

For the full ranking see the best Anthrax songs guide.

Discography

Anthrax Albums: Where to Start

Key albums with honest notes on who each one is for.

1984
Fistful of Metal
Start here if: you want the raw beginning
The debut is fast, rough and still finding the band’s real personality. Neil Turbin sings on this album before Joey Belladonna joins. It is historically important, but not the best first stop for new listeners.
1985
Spreading the Disease
⭐ Best starting point: early era
The first Joey Belladonna album and the moment Anthrax start to sound fully like themselves. Madhouse, A.I.R. and Medusa bring together melody, speed and personality.
1987
Among the Living
⭐ Best starting point overall
The essential Anthrax album. Indians, Caught in a Mosh, I Am the Law and the title track make it one of the defining albums of thrash metal. Start here for the classic sound.
1988
State of Euphoria
Start here if: you want the Antisocial era
A slightly less consistent follow-up to Among the Living, but still important. The cover of Antisocial became a live staple, and the album captures Anthrax at their late-80s peak popularity.
1990
Persistence of Time
Start here if: you want the darker classic album
Heavier, moodier and more serious than the previous albums. Got the Time is the immediate track, but the full album shows a more mature version of the Belladonna-era band.
1993
Sound of White Noise
Start here if: you want the John Bush era
John Bush changes the band’s sound immediately. Only and Room for One More move Anthrax into a heavier, groovier 90s style. It is the best entry point for listeners who prefer weight over speed.
2011
Worship Music
Start here if: you want the reunion comeback
Joey Belladonna returns and Anthrax sound energised again. Fight ’Em ’Til You Can’t and In the End prove the reunion was more than nostalgia.
2016
For All Kings
Start here if: you want modern Anthrax
The latest released studio album is polished, heavy and confident. Breathing Lightning, Blood Eagle Wings and Evil Twin show the modern version of Anthrax working at a high level.
History

Anthrax: Key Moments

1981
Formation in New York City
Scott Ian and Dan Lilker form Anthrax in New York City. The band emerges from a different scene than their West Coast thrash peers, giving them a more East Coast, hardcore- adjacent edge.
1984
Fistful of Metal arrives
Anthrax release their debut album with Neil Turbin on vocals. The album is raw and fast, but the band’s classic identity is still forming.
1985
Joey Belladonna joins the classic era
Spreading the Disease introduces Joey Belladonna on vocals and moves Anthrax toward the sound that will define them. Madhouse becomes one of their early signature songs.
1987
Among the Living makes them essential
Among the Living becomes Anthrax’s defining album. With Indians, Caught in a Mosh and I Am the Law, the band establish their comic-book, mosh-pit and pop-culture-heavy personality.
1991
Bring the Noise changes metal crossover
Anthrax collaborate with Public Enemy on Bring the Noise, helping open the door for rap and metal crossover in the mainstream. It becomes one of the band’s most historically important moments.
1993
John Bush era begins
John Bush joins as vocalist and Sound of White Noise gives Anthrax a heavier, groovier and more 90s-oriented sound. Only becomes the defining song of this era.
2010
Big Four shows cement the legacy
Anthrax perform as part of the Big Four concerts with Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth, confirming their place in thrash metal history for a new generation of fans.
2011
Worship Music comeback
Joey Belladonna returns for Worship Music, one of the strongest late-career albums by any Big Four band. It reconnects Anthrax with their classic sound while sounding modern and energetic.
2016
For All Kings continues the modern era
For All Kings keeps the Belladonna reunion momentum going, adding Jon Donais on lead guitar and showing Anthrax still capable of making focused, contemporary thrash metal.
2026
Long-awaited new music expected
Anthrax continue preparing a long-awaited follow-up to For All Kings. Until it is officially released, For All Kings remains the band’s latest studio album.
Test Yourself

Anthrax Trivia Quiz

Five questions — how many can you get right?

Where to Start

Best Anthrax Songs by Listening Mood

Not sure where to begin? Use this as your entry point.

First song ever
Indians
Best mosh-pit track
Caught in a Mosh
Classic early anthem
Madhouse
Comic-book energy
I Am the Law
Best crossover moment
Bring the Noise
John Bush era
Only
Modern Anthrax
In the End
Fast cover favourite
Got the Time
Questions

Anthrax FAQs

When did Anthrax form?
Anthrax formed in New York City in 1981. Scott Ian is the band’s founding guitarist and the only constant member across the full history of the band.
Who are the current members of Anthrax?
The current line-up is Scott Ian on rhythm guitar, Charlie Benante on drums, Frank Bello on bass, Joey Belladonna on lead vocals and Jon Donais on lead guitar.
What is Anthrax's most famous song?
Indians, Caught in a Mosh, Madhouse and Bring the Noise are among Anthrax’s most famous songs. Indians is often the best single-song introduction to the classic Anthrax sound.
What is the best Anthrax album to start with?
Among the Living is the best starting point. It contains many of the band’s classic songs and captures their mosh-pit energy, humour and thrash-metal power better than any other album.
Are Anthrax one of the Big Four?
Yes. Anthrax are one of the Big Four of thrash metal, alongside Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth. They represent the New York/East Coast side of the Big Four story.
What is Anthrax's latest studio album?
Anthrax’s latest released studio album is For All Kings. The band have been working on a long-awaited follow-up, but until that arrives, For All Kings remains the latest studio album.
Can I play a metal guessing game with Anthrax tracks?
Yes — RockHeardle includes Anthrax tracks. You can also try Metal Heardle for heavier songs.