10 Anthrax Songs Ranked Worst to Best
Anthrax is one of the most influential and successful hard rock and thrash metal bands of all time. They are part of the Big Four of thrash, along with Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth. Anthrax has released 11 studio albums, seven live albums, seven compilation albums, 10 video albums, six extended plays, 26 singles and 26 music videos. They have sold over 10 million records worldwide. But which of Anthrax songs ranked from worst to best?
In this article, you will find 10 Anthrax songs ranked from worst to best, based on our personal preferences and opinions. We will also provide some background information and trivia about each song. This is not an easy task, as Anthrax has many great songs in their discography. However, we will try to be as objective and fair as possible.
Let’s start with the worst song on our list and work our way up to the best one.
10. Safe Home (from We’ve Come for You All, 2003)
This song is the lead single from Anthrax’s ninth studio album, We’ve Come for You All. It features guest vocals by Keanu Reeves, who also appears in the music video.
The song is about finding a place where you belong and feel safe, which is a nice sentiment.
However, the song is also very bland and generic, lacking the energy and aggression that Anthrax is known for. The chorus is repetitive and boring, and Reeves’ vocals are not very impressive. The song sounds like a failed attempt to appeal to a mainstream audience. This song ranks 10th on our list of Anthrax songs ranked.
9. Antisocial (from State of Euphoria, 1988)
This song is a cover of a French punk rock song by Trust, which was released in 1980. Anthrax recorded their version for their fourth studio album, State of Euphoria.
The song is about rejecting the norms and expectations of society, which fits well with the rebellious attitude of thrash metal.
However, the song is also very simple and straightforward, with no surprises or twists. The riff is catchy but repetitive, and the lyrics are not very original or clever. The song is fun to sing along to, but not very memorable or creative. This song ranks 9th on our list of Anthrax songs ranked.
8. Madhouse (from Spreading the Disease, 1985)
This song is the first single from Anthrax’s second studio album, Spreading the Disease. It is inspired by the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, which depicts the life of patients in a mental institution. The song is a fast and furious thrasher, with a catchy chorus and a killer solo.
However, the song is also very controversial and insensitive, as it portrays mental illness as a joke and a source of entertainment. The lyrics are full of stereotypes and clichés, such as “They’re coming to take me away” and “I’m not crazy”.
The song also features a sample of laughter from an old TV show called The Honeymooners, which adds to the mockery and ridicule. The song is fun to headbang to, but not very respectful or thoughtful. This song ranks 8th on our list of Anthrax songs ranked.
7. I’m the Man (from I’m the Man EP, 1987)
This song is a rap metal parody that was released as an EP in 1987. It features vocals by all four members of Anthrax, as well as guest appearances by UTFO, Darryl McDaniels of Run-DMC, and producer Eddie Kramer. The song is a humorous and self-deprecating tribute to rap music and culture, which was very popular at the time.
The song is full of jokes and references to other rap songs and artists, such as “I’m bad” by LL Cool J, “Walk This Way” by Run-DMC and Aerosmith, and “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugarhill Gang. It is also very catchy and infectious, with a funky bass line and a catchy chorus.
However, the song is also very silly and childish, with no serious message or purpose. The lyrics are full of nonsense and profanity, such as “I’m so bad I should be in detention” and “I’m like Dolemite except I’m not black”. The song is fun to listen to, but not very meaningful or profound. This song ranks 7th on our list of Anthrax songs ranked.
6. Got the Time (from Persistence of Time, 1990)
This song is a cover of a punk rock song by Joe Jackson, which was released in 1979. Anthrax recorded their version for their fifth studio album, Persistence of Time.
The song is about the stress and pressure of modern life, which causes people to lose track of time and forget what is important. The song is a fast and furious thrasher, with a tight and precise performance by the band.
The vocals are sharp and clear, and the guitar solo is impressive. However, the song is also very short and simple, with no variation or complexity. The riff is catchy but repetitive, and the lyrics are not very original or clever. The song is fun to rock out to, but not very challenging or innovative. This song ranks 6th on our list of Anthrax songs ranked.
5. Among the Living (from Among the Living, 1987)
This song is the title track and the opening song from Anthrax’s third studio album, Among the Living. It is inspired by the novel The Stand by Stephen King, which depicts a post-apocalyptic world where a plague has wiped out most of humanity. The song is a powerful and epic thrasher, with a heavy and aggressive riff and a soaring chorus.
The lyrics are full of imagery and symbolism, such as “The walking dude” and “The dark man”. The song also features a guest appearance by Gene Simmons of KISS, who provides backing vocals on the chorus.
The song is a classic and a fan favorite, but it is also very long and complex, with many changes in tempo and structure. It is not very easy to follow or sing along to, and it might be too ambitious or pretentious for some listeners. This song ranks 5th on our list of Anthrax songs ranked.
4. Indians (from Among the Living, 1987)
This song is the second single from Anthrax’s third studio album, Among the Living. It is about the oppression and injustice that Native Americans have faced throughout history, especially during the colonization of America by Europeans.
The song is a powerful and passionate thrasher, with a catchy and anthemic chorus and a killer solo. The lyrics are full of emotion and anger, such as “They lost their land” and “They fought for freedom”. The song also features a tribal drum break in the middle, which adds to the atmosphere and intensity.
The song is a classic and a fan favorite, but it is also very political and controversial, as it criticizes the American government and society. It might be too provocative or offensive for some listeners. This song ranks 4th on our list of Anthrax songs ranked.
3. Caught in a Mosh (from Among the Living, 1987)
This song is the first single from Anthrax’s third studio album, Among the Living. It is about the experience of being in a mosh pit at a metal concert, which can be both exhilarating and dangerous.
The song is a fast and furious thrasher, with a catchy and anthemic chorus and a killer solo. The lyrics are full of energy and excitement, such as “Push ’em back” and “Don’t need nothin’”.
The song also features a breakdown in the middle, where the band chants “Not” repeatedly, which adds to the fun and madness. The song is a classic and a fan favorite, but it is also very violent and aggressive, as it encourages moshing and slamming. It might be too extreme or reckless for some listeners. This song ranks 3rd on our list of Anthrax songs ranked.
2. Bring the Noise (with Public Enemy) (from Attack of the Killer B’s, 1991)
This song is a rap metal collaboration between Anthrax and Public Enemy, which was released as a single in 1991. It is a remake of Public Enemy’s original song from 1987, which was one of the first rap songs to use heavy metal samples. The song is about challenging the status quo and making noise with music that matters. The song is a powerful and groundbreaking fusion of rap and metal, with both bands delivering their best performances.
The vocals are sharp and clear, with both rappers and singers trading verses and choruses. The guitars are heavy and aggressive, with both bands playing their own riffs and solos. The drums are tight and precise, with both bands adding their own beats and fills.
The song also features samples from other rap songs and artists, such as “Rebel Without A Pause” by Public Enemy, “It Takes Two” by Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, “Funky Drummer” by James Brown, “Rock Box” by Run-DMC, “She Watch Channel Zero?!” by Public Enemy, “The Humpty Dance” by Public Enemy, and “The Choice Is Yours” by Black Sheep. The song is a classic and a landmark in the history of rap and metal, but it is also very loud and chaotic, with many sounds and voices competing for attention. It might be too noisy or overwhelming for some listeners. This song ranks 2nd on our list of Anthrax songs ranked.
1. I Am the Law (from Among the Living, 1987)
This song is the third single from Anthrax’s third studio album, Among the Living. It is inspired by the comic book character Judge Dredd, who is a futuristic law enforcer in a dystopian world. The song is a powerful and epic thrasher, with a heavy and aggressive riff and a soaring chorus.
The lyrics are full of imagery and symbolism, such as “The hammer of justice” and “The book of law”. The song also features a guest appearance by John Bush of Armored Saint, who provides backing vocals on the chorus.
The song is a classic and a fan favorite, but it is also very loyal and respectful to the source material, as it captures the essence and spirit of Judge Dredd. It is not only a great metal song, but also a great tribute to a great comic book hero. This song ranks 1st on our list of Anthrax songs ranked.
The Bottom Line
This concludes our 10 Anthrax songs ranked from worst to best. We hope you enjoyed reading this article and listening to these songs.
We also hope you learned something new and interesting about Anthrax and their music. Please feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
Hey Tarshia Gunasekera – You pick 10 fantastic songs that any other band would have given their left nut to have recorded, and critique the hell out of every track. I’ve been an Anthrax fan since ’83 – Were you even born yet? P.S.: where is the epic song “Only” on your list? How could you not include it? Metallica frontman James Hetfield once called “Only” “a perfect song”.