Spreading the Disease

Anthrax's roots in traditional heavy metal are still detectable in Dan Spitz’s shrieking licks and Joey Belladonna’s soaring vocals on “Armed and Dangerous” and skate-or-die anthem “Madhouse.” But Spreading the Disease makes a radical leap from their debut, marking the band’s transformation into one of thrash’s Big Four. Razor-wire riffs, an obsession with insanity and sickness, tons of pop culture references—every one of their classic moves is here. Go straight to “S.S.C./Stand or Fall” to hear Anthrax at their most hardcore.