Artist Playlists
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Straight from the streets of New York, Anthrax formed a counter to a West Coast thrash scene dominated by Megadeth, Slayer, and Metallica. Propelled by the deranged live-wire guitar leads of Scott Ian and the powerhouse drumming of Charlie Benante, the confident band carved out a reputation in a fiercely competitive scene. More than any of their peers, they pushed the music forward, especially with “I'm the Man” and “Bring the Noise," which forged a bond between metal and hip-hop. Over 30 years they've managed to maintain their original five-man lineup, a testament to their integrity and close-knit power. - Anthrax are the most unconventional of thrash's “Big Four.” Throughout their career, they've consistently surprised headbangers with their bold experiments in cross-genre pollination. That unpredictability reflects the band's influences, which extend far beyond the world of heavy metal to include artists from hard rock, hardcore punk, and even hip-hop.
- Anthrax's muscular riffs led to the development of several subgenres, including death metal, metalcore, and nu-metal. Their all-consuming energy gave life to the bands on this playlist, who used a catalog of explosive rhythms and fast/slow breakdowns to construct new machines of finely tuned musical destruction.
- Anthrax emerged from the foment of New York's punk scene, and even as they developed into one of the most popular thrash bands of the ‘80s, they always maintained hardcore's threatening energy in their concerts. With their dangerous speeds, tempo changes, and shout-along choruses, these live cuts are perfect for rowdy crowds looking for a gloriously rough night in the pit.