5 essential Anthrax songs by Scott Ian | Metal Hammer

[@pskarnaq73]

"I Am The Law" was my 1st Anthrax song. Still my favorite.

[@randyjeddry4030]

Madhouse is the song that plays in my head everytime I go to costco

[@SOLDOZER]

Mid-late 80s was the best time ever to be a metal head. So many great bands putting out their best albums ever all around the same time.

[@BigMuff75]

And a very dangerous time, too, since the 90s were lingering in the dark.^^

[@Alan-b8q9j]

I was into Exciter from Canada and my best mate was kinda more old school ....he was into Scorpions and Judas Priest which I found a little slow . Once I discovered Metallica ( albeit they poofed out after MOP....) there was no going back. I became committed to my favorites like Nuclear Assault , Anthrax and Godflesh.

[@tttarms1970]

It was the birth. Of course it was the best. It meant something. Record stores. The hunt. Magazines. Word of mouth. That doesn't exist anymore.

[@SOLDOZER]

@@Alan-b8q9j Poofed out after MoP? Bro, Justice went hard. After that yeah...done.

[@LeeVigil-jk2bs]

Nobody like nobody like John bush in anthrax

[@alexwallach7683]

Well I guess Im going to get some hate, but Sound of White noise is one of my favourite albums. I thought at least one song from there would make it.

[@geepike]

“Only” is one of the most perfect tracks ever written. It totally deserves a spot.

[@mister_syre]

@@geepike Only is THE song most of the Anthrax fans from the 80s HATED so it's no wonder Scott skipped it.

[@prettynoose8497]

SOWN is the best Anthrax album, and one of the best metal albums of the last 30 years! John Bush was a far better fit for Anthrax than Joey!!! It's just too damn bad that Stomp, Vol. 8, and WC4UA just weren't as good as SOWN was in the JB era!

[@mister_syre]

@@prettynoose8497 I guess this is why they do not play any of this material anymore... Good for you if you like this era of the band.

[@FightTheGoodFight.]

​@@geepike100%

[@sjung66510]

Absolute legends. Spreading the Disease & Among the Living are masterpieces which can only be consumed in their entirety.

[@christopheranderson2158]

“Spreading the Disease” was my first Anthrax album and I got it around ‘85/‘86 and the song that blew my mind was “Medusa”!!! I LOVE that song!! I was an instant ‘thraxer after hearing that. That intro riff just has “it” and I used to play that riff for every soundcheck in whatever band I was in over the past 35 years! Thanks, Scotty!! 🤘🤘

[@AlexSamofal-r5e]

Same here! Wore that tape out in high school - not a bad song on the album.

[@derylminnich2489]

'be all end all' will always be my all time favorite... never ever gets old

[@Skynet_Scans_It]

My introduction to Anthrax was their appearance on Married With Children. In My World is still a very special song to me

[@deaconblooze1]

To me Persistence of Time was their best all around album, no skipping allowed!

[@tashafreese2082]

Anthrax are my Beatles, my favorite band since "88" I'm 51 now and these guys still rip live. Release your new album damnit and come back up here to Minneapolis!! Love you fuckers!!

[@paulp6983]

I find it hard to believe that he made no mention of anything from the John Bush era. So many great songs on those albums...

[@mister_syre]

None of the Bush songs should be considered essential.

[@SOLDOZER]

Among The Living was peak Anthrax.

[@Kaynalavareda]

Yeah you are right. John Bush Anthrax IS as esential Anthrax as Joey and Turbin Anthrax.

[@Brian-qn7fn]

Oh please, there are no essential songs from the Bush era.

[@Brian-qn7fn]

​@@Kaynalavareda Nope. It is as nonessential as it gets.

[@mantislake4141]

Went from Metal to Punk but Anthrax will always have a special place in my heart. When I was 15, "Stand or Fall," from Spreading The Disease ('85) and "Imitation of Life," from Among The Living ('87) are the songs I could NOT stop listening to.

[@themobseat]

Is punk even still a thing?

[@mantislake4141]

@themobseat - I'd say it comes in waves. When there's a buncha kids bashing out sloppy rock on cheap instruments without $ign$ in their eyes it may be a thing. The quality or direction of its sound is largely irrelevant as long as it's not mainstream. In that sense, any kind of music can adopt the punk ethos.

[@DerEchteBold]

@@themobseat Just like Metal, probably bigger now than ever, just not with any mainstream crossover left.

[@Flannelsurfer]

“I’m The Man” is the song that initially sparked my love of heavy metal at age 10, and Worship Music was the album that pulled me back into heavy metal after a decade plus of exploring other music. Seeing Anthrax on 11/11/11 in Worcester (World Metal Day) with Death Angel and Testament was one of the best nights of my life.

[@82ndPhunkyPhotos]

I was at a party around the time when "Spreading the Disease" had come out and I had it on cassette. I played "Aftershock" on the stereo and a few dudes there who had never heard of Anthrax thought the song was called "Africa". I said, 'No, not a Toto song!'

[@germarhoffmeister2752]

Without this one guy I wouldn't be, was and remain what I am today. I also owe the rest of the band a huge thank you, including all the former members. Charlie's signature snare has defined our studio and live sound for years. On our first LP from 1989 we also gave them and the band Trust a cover of "Antisocial". As a convinced Spektor NS2 player, I am of course particularly happy about our new addition Frank. A warm welcome to the Spector family. We love you forever. Thank you for existing.

[@lanemeyer9350]

Persistence of Time is their best album, I’ve always thought so ⏱️

[@cd5642]

Agreed

[@mikkolappalainen9916]

It sure is

[@tonybell7267]

Brilliant album

[@randomman4938]

I loved “ Got the Time” and used to crank it daily!

[@renemarrero6523]

Yes 👍

[@randywissler9923]

Kinda in the same realm, but best side project of all-time would most definitely be S.O.D!!!🤘🤘

[@tinytim71301]

Yep

[@kerbyjackson88]

I was lucky enough to see Anthrax on the Among The Living tour in March of '88. They opened for KISS in a small enclosed livestock arena with a dirt floor strewn with cowshit. I shit you not, you had to literally dodge the cowpies and it was dusty as hell. It was a fairgrounds and hosted a rodeo the night before. The venue was so small that KISS didn't have room to even set up their logo and the fire marshal wouldn't allow any pyros. I barely knew who Anthrax were at the time and was really there to see KISS, but Anthrax just blew them off the stage. They were absolutely the loudest thing I'd ever heard up to that point. They opened with "Among The Living" and when Scott played those first few power chords, it was like, "Holy shit!" because it was so god damn loud. Before the show, Scott came down to the stage railing and signed autographs, which KISS didn't do. He was a super cool down to earth guy.

[@sumonjamal1653]

My picks for songs defining Anthrax and their career... I'd add: 1) I am the Law... 2) Only ... 3) Antisocial (Trust cover) ... 4) Inside out (Dimebag Darrell lead!) ... 5) A.I.R.

[@yancyturner565]

For me, I could do without ever hearing Antisocial or Got The Time at an Anthrax show again. So many better songs in their catalog, that they actually wrote.

[@Kaynalavareda]

​@@yancyturner565Yeah... one of the only things I complain about Anthrax is their setlist. They rarely play Fistful of Metal. Got the Time is the only Persistence of Time song played regularly and it's a cover. Only is the only (pun not intended) Bush era song still performed nowadays, and they don't give Worship Music and For All Kings (also the four Bush albums) relics enough credit. Setlists are like 50% Among the Living, 20% covers, 20% Madhouse/A.I.R,/Be All, End All and 10% 2010s music

[@dave.in.oregon]

I still smile like I was still in high school whenever I hear “I’M THE MAN!” Love it.

[@r.edward5701]

My favourite band

[@ShedFan1]

Fan for Life. My five favorite.....Caught in the Mosh. I am the Law. Be all end all....I'm the Man. In my World...

[@dirtmcgirt5041]

First song i ever heard of them was A.I.R. live in Bochum. Still the best for me

[@ChrisOpat]

Going out on a limb, but posting up for Breathing Lightning here. It needs to be in the conversation on the best from Anthrax.

[@johnsplendido3556]

Great song on a Great album

[@carter358]

Pottersfield Is one of the most underrated songs in the history of Heavy Metal. That song, Only, and Crush have to be essential Anthrax because they are essential Heavy Metal listening.

[@carter358]

Yeah, BTW, I love the Bush era.

[@nitronick]

​@@carter358Hell yeah my 5 would probably be: Safe Home Only Inside Out Think About an End Nothing And damn its hard to pick just 5

[@mikkolappalainen9916]

Potter's Field has been my favourite since sown came out. So heavy, so good

[@jamesstaggs4160]

They may be happy that they don't get associated with "Nu-metal" but they really were pioneers in the area of mixing rap/hip hop and metal. There's the first version of I'm the Man then there's Killer Bs which I wore out when I was an 11 year old kid. Public Enemy and Anthrax? That's a helluva combination. I think the reason they didn't quite break through like some of their contemporaries is there was often an element of fun and humor not present in any other bands in the genre. Metal takes itself seriously, sometimes to it's detriment, but Anthrax always balanced that out.

[@TheMrHavish]

Good list. This reminds me that I also need to listen to their last two records, as I've only heard select songs and not the whole album.

[@pokerphil1st]

Best of the 'Big Four' and probably the most underrated.

[@StefanM-d5n]

Anthrax is One of the best Metal Bands ever 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@kenhomeier8629]

As an Anthrax fan from the 80’s. If I was on a desert island and could only have a handful guitar players to listen to, Scott Ian would definitely be one of them. I agree with every song he mentioned.

[@MatLinnett1]

I got really into Anthrax after seeing them on the State of Euphoria tour (with King's X supporting, another band I've now been listening to for 35+ years), so for me, Antisocial has a special place in my heart. I borrowed my mate's copy of SoE, but the first Anthrax album I bought for myself was Persistence of Time, and I honestly don't think there's a bad song on that album. It's probably got my favourite Scott riffs on it too. Of course, Blood is a stand-out, but the double-whammy of Intro to Reality and Belly of the Beast is just pure Anthrax heaven to me.

[@jml8238]

Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't ?!?! Only.

[@blastbeatindustries3191]

Do they even play Only anymore?

[@jml8238]

@blastbeatindustries3191 Don't remember seeing it in the set since For All Kings....but it's on the Big 4 bluray, sung by Belladonna!

[@arclight2012]

Of course as a Beastie fan I liked their little take on that, but really “Among The Living” when I was 13 years old was amazing. Maybe too much for me at the time honestly. I like it better now than I did then. And like Scott, PE is one of my favorite bands period. What a great cross section of New York in that remake of “Bring The Noise.”

[@carlgibson285]

The entire State Of Euphoria album doesn't get enough credit. It's in my top 10 favourite albums of all time.

[@hetzlerracing5490]

I thought it was overall a better record than "And Justice for All...."

[@mydixiewrecked315]

@@hetzlerracing5490 pip farting on a snare drum is by far a more substantial recording than "And Justice for All..."

[@zeroman614]

The crap production is why.

[@tonybell7267]

First anthrax album i heard . Great album

[@k2rocksstl]

💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@azzanightingale84]

Man scott ian needs to do another one man riot tour and bring it back to Australia. One of the best nights of my life🤘🏼

[@halofour01]

"think before you speak or suffer for your words, learn to give respect that others give to you" That song is the first example I give as evidence of the kind of intelligent mentality that metal used to have. Smart guys with sick riffs defending the good by pointing out the bad.

[@timothyhetherington]

When's the new album coming out?

[@timversteeg3038]

my top 5... 5) NFB 4) I'm the Man 3) Got the Time 2) Caught in the Mosh 1) Antisocial

[@flyinpolack6633]

Hell ya man, caught in a Mosh was my Anthem when that album came out. Thanks for the killer tunes!!!!

[@jocelyngrenier4449]

Totaly agree with his choice and yeah, i discovered Anthrax with Deathrider and still there after all that time. Was so happy with Joey's comeback. Saw them many times live and yeah, lot's of gems in there.

[@PhilipFouts]

Belly of the beast! Anthrax best song🔥

[@PARRISHMELLOTT]

Indians was the first ANTHRAX tune I ever heard and I was hooked!! Persistence of time was a great album too!!

[@vonclod123]

I love Fistful of Metal!!

[@kenfrederick6223]

I'm surprised he didn't pick "Only".

[@TheDuduRocha]

The feud with John Bush is such a shame. WCFYA is one of their best albums and Any Place But Here is one of their best songs.

[@skycladsabbat469]

I've been listening to Anthrax since 1985. I love "Belly of the Beast" off of Persistence of Time. But I must have wore out 2 copies of "State of Euphoria" album (thank god for digital now :) )

[@DavoInMelbourne]

Among the Living is one the best thrash albums ever made.

[@snap8626]

LOVE THAT these guys grw up with my mom's family

[@stephenallange373]

I gotta go with Lone Justice. My favorite Anthrax track ever.

[@ricardoslhenriques]

I will always love "Safe Home".

[@MrJones31]

Their best song!

[@russellearnest4284]

I agree 100%. My fiancee isn't really into metal as much as me but I played her Safe Home and she told me it will absolutely be played at our wedding 🤘

[@dannyf9218]

I am a firm beliver that Jhon Bush was the better singer.

[@Jangocat]

The first I heard Among The Living, my best friend was a thrash drummer. That's when I first got into thrash. I Am The Law did it for me. I did get into older Anthrax after that.

[@troykurz9615]

I dig a lot of Anthrax, and Worship Music is a masterpiece!

[@briankoenig8923]

I wanna know which Anthrax songs had Dimebag on the solo.

[@jeffrobagman2834]

Scott picked 2 of my faves - Caught in a Mosh and ring tha Noize. My other 3? I Am the Law, I'm the Man. For the last I'm gonna cheat and pick 2 covers - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath and Got the Time. Haven't heard Deathrider before, but those few seconds are enough to convince me to go listen right now!

[@therealandrecorbin4050]

spreading the disease was great, the band was really powerful when I saw that tour.

[@LordBelial1978]

That album was their last truly Thrash release.

[@mrnobodyinvr9762]

The Constant. Been with Anthrax since Scottie had NOT shaved in his chest, and always with be. Every album has been amazing, and they created a space in Metal that pushed it all forward. Metal Forever. \\m// \\m//

[@ravendark2422]

First 3 albums and the Armed and Dangerous E.P are their best work.

[@thewook79]

Inside Out was always my favorite. Just a mean riff. Volume 8 doesn't get the love it should.

[@TheFatalT]

I have much love for Madhouse but I’m The Man will always be my favorite as that was what got me into Anthrax. That and their cover of Parasite.

[@matt8663]

Their rap compilation goes back to when Anthrax did the song Lethal with UTFO. I have the 12 inch single.

[@Mike-xp9cj]

Armed and dangerous is my favorite album.. but I have a lot of favorite songs..

[@FuzzWizard]

Used to play paintball in that abandoned hospital.

[@wo8394]

Man I really hope they remaster the early albums

[@eyeexaggerate7687]

The world got a lot better in ‘87. -there was a certain something on Among the Living that wasn’t on any album from that time. The artists will say otherwise and I know how that works, but for my ear this was it. (Edit: Imitation of Life was a near perfect thrash song)

[@schulsozialarbeiterstefans5719]

Sound of White Noise is their best album to me, hands down.

[@dzeko1167]

1. Safe home 2. Strap it on 3. Only 4. Weve come for you all 5. What doesnt die.

[@nitronick]

We've Come For You All is one of the best albums from this millennium 🤘

[@russellearnest4284]

I agree with this list totally but I would trade Strap It On for Nobody Knows Anything

[@jjennings1209]

@@russellearnest4284or Refused to be denied💪🏼

[@heikkisaaskilahti7068]

My top 5 is completely different but Deathrider, Madhouse and Caught in a Mosh are classics. I saw the Madhouse video on Music Box's Power Hour.

[@LordBelial1978]

Sounds like he's saying Cat In A Mash in the song.

[@davidtynan13]

Man, I love Worship Music!

[@ldogin]

I love how the pic said 86 on caught in a mosh.

[@LordBelial1978]

In no particular order. Medusa Howling Furies Room For One More Panic Gung Ho

[@divebombstudios7706]

Fuck yeah Medusa!! 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@LordBelial1978]

@@divebombstudios7706 The demo with Joey on vocals is also good. Different lyrics to Medusa. It's on the Anniversary/Remastered release of the album.

[@nazamarcos]

I’m a big fan since Fistful and Spreading was my favorite Anthrax album before they released Worship and For All Kings. My five favorite ever Anthrax songs are Deathrider, I’m Alive, Indians, Keep It In The Family and Crush

[@JOEmfnAUSTIN]

It would be hard to pick 5. He did pretty good. Metal thrashing mad btw.

[@tinytim71301]

Scott Ian is super cool.

[@durba8]

A.I.R & Lone Justice

[@diracio]

Great list but "I'm Alive" is one your best songs, indeed its one of the best songs ever full stop!

[@MikeHanfod-pd2sx]

High school 87’ I got 2 speeding tickets in one day with my 78’ cutlass listening to anthrax. I Just put in a new pioneer cassette deck and we were speeding all over town. Then we’d go find some beer and look for chicks! Damn I’m miss those days!

[@MrMetalclay]

Nothing from John Bush Era!!??

[@JOEmfnAUSTIN]

Absolutely not

[@badbirdkc]

I'm not really surprised. The first four songs totally make sense in terms of what makes Anthrax "Anthrax." For the last song, it could have easily been something from Persistence of Time. I understand why he picked the song he did, but I don't think any fan would consider it essential.

[@NinjaRunningWild]

Totally different band.

[@mydayis5]

Worship Music is easily their best album IMO.

[@robconerty5164]

Start to finish, their masterpiece.

[@vincentpilon2641]

First off, long time fan of Anthrax... But it makes me mad how they never aknowledge they did awsome stuff with John Bush... Scott could have picked a Bush-Era song cause for fans like me, they have career defining songs in those too! 😢 i'd rather listen to Room for one more over Madhouse any good da*m day! 🤘

[@MayorofNumber3]

Got the Time is probably my favorite

[@mht525]

Awesome ✌️🙏🤘🥁🇦🇺

[@jimmiepiranah]

To me. The most Punk influenced of the Big 4. I always thot of 'Thrax as 'Tallica's annoying lil brother.

[@randomreviews6207]

I'm probably in the minority but Got The Time has always been one of my favorite Anthrax songs.

[@elongatedmusket7430]

Grew up a Joey fan and couldn't believe they parted ways. Love the new stuff with him. But there are too many incredible tracks during the John Bush days where Anthrax broke new ground, not to be mentioned ever.

[@Džejms_Bong]

Of course Scott makes top 5 of his own band. Did he mention they are part of the Big 4 ?

[@Džejms_Bong]

@Joseph-l6w oh really? I thought it was top 5 Lou Bega songs.

[@salty_snowboarder]

Title of the video- "5 essential Anthrax songs". This has nothing to do with the Big 4, my friend.

[@arthurwood5405]

Probably not the most popular, but my top 5 would be- 1. Belly of the Beast 2. Now it’s Dark 3. Black Lodge 4. Lone Justice 5. Hy Pro Glo

[@CharlesSmith-gw7gp]

Kickass band!

[@DiningwithDan]

I'd have to say my favorite is Got the Time!

[@kunkmiceter]

End All, Be All 🤘

[@Jeremiah_NE]

No disrespect, my list goes a little differently, guess what my first Anthrax album was... 1. I am the Law 2. Indians 3. Among the Living 4. Antisocial 5. I'm the Man

[@rsera420]

Deathrider! 🤘🤘🤘

[@jasonbates2687]

Scott seems like the coolest dude. Medusa, ftw.

[@bartmix8994]

Scott Ian may not be the best musician in heavy metal, but he is the best person.

[@logancreed5041]

Breathing Lightning is on another level

[@nnomed1975]

Totally agree

[@johnsplendido3556]

Great song

[@delaskae9769]

Metal Hammer - “What are the 5 most essential Anthrax songs?” Scott Ian - “Everything that doesn’t have John Bush”

[@abark]

You know it would be the opposite if Bush was still in.

[@cimerians]

Worship Music is right up there with Among the Living. Maybe their best album.

[@jml8238]

Top 5. Wouldn't say top 3.

[@samuelmagnum6047]

😅 good one. It's not even better than Stomp

[@jml8238]

@@samuelmagnum6047 Ish. With the exception of 3-4 great songs, Stomp is what I call "filler Anthrax". Same goes for a lot of V8 and WCFYA. If we're only comparing WM to the Belladonna stuff, it's definitely stronger than FAK and even SOE....🤭

[@samuelmagnum6047]

@jml8238 V8 has plenty of bangers. Combine all the great songs from V8 and Stomp and that's a record in their top 3

[@samuelmagnum6047]

@jml8238 No! State of Euphoria is top 5. All too many killer riffs. Solid production. Catchy choruses. Incredible record.

[@Krysdavar]

"Indians" is such a great and true song.

[@jasonallwood9444]

Indians is still my favorite.

[@mikeysnellbaker6022]

Am I not mistaken, that Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day what's in a straight jacket for their first video

[@2112Producciones]

A.I.R , Caught in a mosh, Belly of the beast, Only and Inside Out. ( And I bet, right now, Bush should be at Anthrax )

[@peterbowman5750]

To me Finale is their best song

[@charlesdokken7810]

To me, Worship Music is the best late career release of the big four of thrash.