'Spreading The Disease' was the band's breakthrough record after the mundane debut 'Metal Thrashing Mad' bereft of Joey Belladonna. This record catapulted the New Yorker's into the major thrash league although their style of metal was more of a punky stomp, based on the heavy guitar work of Scott Ian and Dan Spitz, tribal beats of Charlie Benante and Frank Bello's framework basslines. Although thrash metal was clearly about a speedier sound and clearer vocal delivery, in Joey Belladonna, Anthrax had a lot of melody and diversity in the vocal department. Although the album lacks quality production, it makes up for it in sheer beef of riffage and comes in a classic cover, which I, for several years donned as a back patch to my denim jacket!! Ah, the good ol' days.
'Spreading The Disease' is a chugging record, opening with 'A.I.R.', and providing a mix of energetic thrashing and sheer lead weight riffing that would become a trademark of the band, and spawn many others bands who sought that clean yet ferocious barrage.
Of the nine cuts it's difficult to pick favourites but 'Armed And Dangerous', 'Gung-Ho' and the blistering 'Medusa' stand out, but the chugger track of the album has to be the monstrous 'Madhouse' with its pounding bass and decimating riffing.
Overall, an important album that would lead to the band's greatest achievement in 'Among The Living'.
8/10
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