Anthrax - Among the Living (1987)

Anthrax, for those who don't know, is a 5 piece Speed Metal/Thrash Metal group formed in 1981 in Yonkers, New York. They are one of the "big four", consisting of Metallica, Megadeth, SLAYER!!!, and Anthrax. The current line up includes John Bush (Vocals), Rob Caggiano (Lead Guitar), Scott Ian Rosenfeld (Rhythm Guitar & Vocals), Frank Bello (Bass), and Charlie Benante (Drums). They are currently signed to Nuclear Blast Records while the album in review was on Island Records. And now for the review portion.

Among the Living is Anthrax's third full length album consisting of nine tracks. The line up on this album differs from the current line up in that Joey Belladonna is the singer and Dan Spitz is on Lead Guitar, other than that, the line up is the same. The tracks include "Among the Living", "Caught in a Mosh", "I Am the Law", "Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)", "A Skeleton in the Closet", "Indians", "One World", "A.D.I./Horror of It All", and "Imitation of Life". This album is one of the truly definitive Speed/Thrash Metal albums of all time. It starts out big and fast, going through hit after hit. Joey's vocals soar over the thunderous drums, bass, and guitars, while Scott Ian's vocals almost seem gang like even though it's just him. I couldn't find anything wrong with the album at all. It's just that good, it starts to get a little repetitive, but it just adds to the sound of the album.

Overall, if you're a fan of Thrash Metal, the big four, or just plain out Metal in general, if you don't already have this album, go out and get it now. It was released on March 22, 1987, so pick it up on itunes or on amazon. Definitely a must have album.

Overall Rating: 4.9 out of 5

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Anthrax's Website

Testament - The Legacy (1987)

Testament, for those of you who haven't heard of them before, is a 5 piece Speed/Thrash Metal band formed in 1983 in Oakland, California under the name "Legacy". They consist of Chuck Billy (Vocals), Eric Peterson (Guitar), Alex Skolnick (Guitar), Greg Christian (Bass), and Paul Bostaph (Drums). They are currently signed to Nuclear Blast Records (The Formation of Damnation), but have been signed to Atlantic Records (The Legacy, The New Order, Practice What You Preach, Souls of Black, The Ritual, and Low), Megaforce Records (The New Order, Practice What You Preach, and Souls of Black), Burnt Offerings Records (Demonic), and Spitfire Records (The Gathering). And now to the review part.

Testament's first full length release, 1987's "The Legacy", was recorded with the current lineup of Testament, except the drummer position was held by Louie Clemente. The album was recorded in Ithica, New York at Pyramid Sounds Studios, and released on July 7, 1987. The album contains 9 tracks, those being "Over the Wall", "The Haunting", "Burnt Offerings", "Raging Waters", "C.O.T.L.O.D." (Curse of the Legions of Death), "First Strike is Deadly", "Do or Die", "Alone in the Dark", and "Apocalyptic City". The album starts off with a quick guitar riff and then goes right into full gear with all members playing at what seems like their top speed. Chuck then comes in with his piercing lyrics hitting you as if being fired at you, even hitting high pitched falsettos at times, which I found a little bit odd, cause in some of the other tracks, he starts at an almost death metal growl, goes to his normal singing tone, and then hits the really high vocals (at times sounding like Rob Halford). This continues throughout the album, with the begining of "Burnt Offerings" sounding almost like a string quartet, only to hit you with a solid slow riff, only then to have both guitars doing a scale down the fretboard kicking off the main riff which is sped up significantly compared to the beginning riff. The lyrical stylings throughout the album seem to deal with Religion and Society in general. For the first release of Testament, it's one of the band's best albums, but wasn't enough to break them into mainstream media, which came later in the band's history.

Overall, it's a great album, if you're a fan of Thrash Metal, Speed Metal, or just Metal in general, you should have this album. Get this if you're into the classics, Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, SLAYER!!!, Exodus, Over Kill, and Iron Maiden. Like mentioned before, the album was released on July 7, 1987, so it's in stores, or you can pick it up on itunes or amazon (link at the end)

Overall Rating: 4.7 out of 5

Buy the Album Here
Testament's Website