My favourite Anthrax album, and certainly my favourite 'time' for being a metal fan. Thrash was huge, Slayer, Megadeth and Metallica were wrestling each other to compete, although it's fair to say that each of these class acts were gods in their own right. Anthrax and Megadeth eventually fell by the way side, Joey Belladonna lasted two more albums, but the days of moshing, skateboarding and Bermuda shorts remain as fine memories, as 'Among The Living' chugged its way into the metal world. This was an album graced in a wonderful sleeve, artwork inspired by Stephen King's story 'Apt Pupil', but the record itself wasn't influenced by horror, but instead by a more streetwise mentality, as tracks such as 'I Am The Law' drew inspiration from the '2000 AD' comics, and there was also that strong hardcore ingredient, as Anthrax were about having fun but also keeping it very, very heavy.The bass is sublime, bubbling through the wall of riffery and Benante's thudding and Belladonna, as stated on the 'Spreading...' review, this guy could sing as well as chant.
Anthrax had great melody, their own distinctive crunch which hammers through on the title cut with its deep chorus and hardcore feel, the lyrics are clever, but it's the guitar sound which shines through on this, making 'Among...' one of the most essential heavy rock albums ever made.
'Caught In A Mosh' and 'Indians' have become classics within the genre, combining speed with a stomping attitude, but in all it's difficult to actually fault the record, as each song introduces itself by some divine riff that shakes the floor. All thrash fans should own this record, because as metal albums go it's one heavy classic.
10/10
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