ANTHRAX
By Markus Felix (Own work) [CC-BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
ABOUT
Being deemed “sufficiently evil,” the band Anthrax was named when an originating member read about Bacillus anthracis in a Biology textbook. Categorized as a mixture of heavy metal and hardcore punk, the band was formed in Queens, New York City on July 18, 1981 by founding members, guitarists Scott Ian and Dan Lilker. Later, they were joined by Charlie Benante on drums, Joey BellaDonna on vocals, and Frank Bello on bass who remained fairly consisted during the early years despite many lineup changes later on in the band’s career. With major influences from punk groups like Sex Pistols and Discharge as well as metal groups like Black Sabbath and Kiss, Anthrax used fast riffs paired with heavy drums to combine elements of both the punk and metal genres. To differentiate themselves from other punk and heavy metal bands of the time, the group incorporated humor into their often darkly themed music.
ABOUT
ANTHRAX
This is a great place to tell your story and give people more insight into who you are, what you do, and why it’s all about you.
1980s
Discography
ALBUMS
Fistful of Metal (1984)
Spreading the Disease (1985)
Among the Living (1987)
State of Euphoria (1988)
1980s
Discography
ALBUMS
Fistful of Metal - 1984
Spreading the Disease - 1985
Among the Living - 1987
State of Euphoria - 1988
1980s
Band Members
MEMBERS
Scott Ian - Guitar
Dan Lilker - Guitar
Charlie Benanta - Drums
Joey BellaDonna - Vocals
Frank Bello - Bass
"Madhouse"
Spreading the Disease - 1985
The song “Madhouse” is about a patient in a mental facility feeling trapped and out of control. While this song is directly referencing a mental facility, further supported by the music video, it also can be used to show a general disdain towards controlling institutions in general.
ABOUT
I give more information on lyrics and song meanings!
Hover over me!
The doctors caring for the patient don’t and can’t truly understand what the patient is going through. They don’t feel the shame of being put in a mental institution.
White coats to bind me, out of control
I live alone inside my mind
World of confusion, air filled with noise
Who says that my life's such a crime?
Trapped, in this nightmare
I wish I'd wake
As my whole life begins to shake
Four walls, surround me
An empty gaze
I can't find my way out of this maze
'Cause I don't care
Fall in, fall out
LYRICS
The “white coats” can refer to the doctors in charge of the patients. The doctors ultimately have control of the patients and can be a reference to governmental institutions having control over their constituents.
The patient is questioning not what is wrong with his life, but who gets to say that his life is a crime, again bringing into question the authority.
Gone without a doubt, help me
I can't take the blame
They don't feel the shame
It's a madhouse
Or so they claim
It's a madhouse
Oh, am I insane?
My fears behind me, what can I do
My dreams haunt my sleep at night
Oh no, won't learn their lesson, white fills my eyes
And only then they see the light
VIDEO
Music video for "Madhouse." In the video, the band is seen performing in a mental institution surrounded by patients. The video was actually banned from MTV because it was deemed not politically correct towards mental illness.
"Caught in a Mosh"
Among the Living - 1987
“Caught in a Mosh” was written in reference to the mosh pit, an area at concerts close to the front that consisted of people running into each other, jumping up and down, and slam dancing to the music. The song relates being in a mosh pit to dealing with frustrating situations or people.
ABOUT
I give more information on lyrics and song meanings!
Hover over me!
By saying that talking to this person is like clapping with one hand, the songwriter is saying that nothing productive comes from their conversations.
Why don't you listen to me when I try to talk to you
Stop thinking of yourself, for just a second fool
Shut up, shut up, I don't want to hear your mouth
Your mother made a monster,
Now get the hell out of my house
Bridge can't stand it for another day
I ain't gonna live my life this way
Cold sweat, my fists are clenching
Stomp, stomp, stomp the idiot convention
Which one of these words don't you understand
I'm caught in a mosh!
Talking to you is like clapping with one hand
What is it? Caught in a mosh!
What is it? Caught in a mosh!
Don't tell me how to do my job
There's the door, your name's on the knob
You're always in the way, like a beast on my back
Were you dropped as a baby, cause brains you lack
Can't stand it for another day
I ain't gonna live my life this way
Cold sweat, my fists are clenching Stomp, stomp, stomp, the idiot convention
LYRICS
​
The songwriter is calling out a person that they dislike for being self-centered and foolish.
An example of dark humor
Which one of these words don't you understand?
I'm caught in a mosh
Talking to you, is like clapping with one hand
What is it? Caught in a mosh!
What is it? Caught in a mosh!
Think-before you speak
Or suffer for your words
Learn, to give respect
That others, give to you
AAAAAAAAAAAh, the best you can do
Hey man!
I'm trying to reason but you don't understand
Talking in circles, we'll never get it straight
Just you and me in our theater of hate
Can't stand it for another day
I ain't gonna live my life this way
Cold sweat, my fists are clenching
Stomp, stomp, stomp, the idiot convention
Which one of these words don't you understand?
I'm caught in a mosh!
Talking to you is like talking with one hand
What is it? Caught in a mosh!
What is it? Caught in a mosh!
The reference to sweat and clenched fists is relating to being in a mosh pit with a hot, rowdy crowd ready to fight.
VIDEO
Live performance of "Caught in a Mosh" 2005. While not a performance from their 1980s heyday, this video shows both the metal and punk influences of Anthrax as well as what a mosh pit might look like at one of their concerts.
I give more information on lyrics and song meanings!
Hover over me!
"Indians"
Among the Living - 1987
Showing the politically active ideology of Anthrax, “Indians” was written about the oppression of the Native Americans in the U.S. The song calls out Americans for being apathetic to the injustices caused by the American people on the Native Americans. Anthrax makes a statement with this song by saying that the Native Americans were dissed and put in a hopeless situation when they were placed on reservations.
ABOUT
The doctors caring for the patient don’t and can’t truly understand what the patient is going through. They don’t feel the shame of being put in a mental institution.
Respect is something that you earnOur Indian brothers' getting burned
Original American
Turned into second class citizen
Cry for the Indians
Die for the Indians
Cry for the Indians
Cry, cry, cry for the Indians
Love the land and fellow man
Peace is what we strive to have
Some folks have none of this
Hatred and prejudice
We all see black and white
When it comes to someone else's fight
No one ever gets involved
Apathy can never solve
Forced out-brave and mighty
Stolen land-they can't fight it
Hold on-to pride and tradition
Even though they know how much their lives are really missin'
We're dissin' them
On reservations
A hopeless situation
LYRICS
It’s easy to think the answer to a problem is straightforward when the problem isn’t your own. In the case of the Native Americans, the American government saw a simple solution for themselves, when in reality it was injurious to the Native American people.
Many American people didn’t necessarily agree with the actions of the government, but by not speaking out and remaining apathetic, the problem wasn’t solved.
VIDEO
"Indians" live performance 1991. The song showcases the band's political agenda as well as their fast guitar riffs and heavy drums.