Scott Ian Names His Top 10 Heaviest Anthrax Riffs
Scott Ian is the rhythm guitarist and co-founder of the legendary thrash metal band Anthrax. He is also a master of riffs. Riffs are the catchy and powerful guitar parts that make metal songs memorable and exciting. Anthrax has many great riffs in their discography, but which ones are the heaviest? In a recent interview, Scott Ian revealed his top 10 heaviest Anthrax riffs of all time. Here are his choices and why he thinks they are the best.
10. Deathrider
Deathrider is the opening track of Anthrax’s debut album Fistful of Metal, released in 1984. It is a fast and furious song that showcases the band’s early influences from NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest.
Scott Ian said that the main riff of Deathrider is one of his favorites because it is “simple, but effective”. He also said that it is a riff that he can play forever and never get bored.
9. Caught in a Mosh
Caught in a Mosh is one of Anthrax’s most popular and influential songs. It is the second track of their third album Among the Living, released in 1987. It is a song that celebrates the mosh pit, the chaotic and violent dance that metal fans do at concerts.
Scott Ian said that the riff of Caught in a Mosh is one of his heaviest because it is “very percussive and very rhythmic”. He also said that it is a riff that makes people want to move and bang their heads.
8. Indians
Indians is another classic song from Among the Living. It is the sixth track of the album and it deals with the oppression and genocide of Native Americans by European colonizers.
Scott Ian said that the riff of Indians is one of his heaviest because it is “very heavy and very groovy”. He also said that it is a riff that has a lot of dynamics and changes, from slow to fast, from low to high.
7. Gung-Ho
Gung-Ho is the closing track of Spreading the Disease. It is a song that expresses the band’s enthusiasm and passion for metal music.
Scott Ian said that the riff of Gung-Ho is one of his heaviest because it is “very fast and very aggressive”. He also said that it is a riff that shows the band’s skill and energy.
6. Madhouse
Madhouse is the first single and the third track of Anthrax’s second album Spreading the Disease, released in 1985. It is a song that talks about mental illness and asylum abuse.
Scott Ian said that the riff of Madhouse is one of his heaviest because it is “very catchy and very heavy”. He also said that it is a riff that has a lot of hooks and melodies.
5. Imitation of Life
Imitation of Life is the last track of Among the Living. It is a song that criticizes the fake and superficial aspects of society and culture.
Scott Ian said that the riff of Imitation of Life is one of his heaviest because it is “very thrashy and very crunchy”. He also said that it is a riff that has a lot of attitude and power.
4. Keep It in the Family
Keep It in the Family is the third track of Anthrax’s fifth album Persistence of Time, released in 1990. It is a song that addresses racism, bigotry, and intolerance.
Scott Ian said that the riff of Keep It in the Family is one of his heaviest because it is “very dark and very heavy”. He also said that it is a riff that has a lot of emotion and intensity.
3. Be All, End All
Be All, End All is the opening track of State of Euphoria, Anthrax’s fourth album, released in 1988. It is a song that encourages people to be themselves and not to follow others blindly.
Scott Ian said that the riff of Be All, End All is one of his heaviest because it is “very epic and very anthemic”. He also said that it is a riff that has a lot of harmony and melody.
2. A.I.R.
A.I.R. stands for Adolescence In Red, it is the opening track of Spreading the Disease. It is a song that explores the struggles and frustrations of being a teenager in a hostile world.
Scott Ian said that the riff of A.I.R. is one of his heaviest because it is “very complex and very technical”. He also said that it is a riff that has a lot of variety and contrast.
1. Among the Living
Among the Living is the title track and the first track of Anthrax’s third album. It is a song that is inspired by the novel The Stand by Stephen King, which is about a post-apocalyptic world where a group of survivors face a tyrannical leader and his army of evil.
Scott Ian said that the riff of Among the Living is his heaviest riff of all time because it is “the ultimate Anthrax riff”. He also said that it is a riff that has everything: speed, groove, melody, harmony, and heaviness.
The Bottom Line
These are the top 10 heaviest Anthrax riffs according to Scott Ian. Do you agree with his choices? What are your favorite Anthrax riffs and songs? Let us know in the comments below.