Among the Living

Among the Living is Anthrax’s finest masterpiece and a landmark of thrash metal, completely uniting sharp riffs, forward-rolling rhythm and Joey Belladonna’s high, piercing voice. Rather than merely pursuing speed, it thoroughly designs to powerfully move the whole venue, clearly placing striking choruses and dramatic breaks in each song. Its world, inspired by the likes of horror novelist Stephen King, is also an appeal. The solemn opening title track “Among the Living,” the all-too-famous anthem “Caught in a Mosh,” symbolizing the mosh pit, and “I Am the Law,” singing of Judge Dredd, are songs that vividly symbolize its aggression and memorability, while “Indians,” singing of Native Americans, and a cut like “Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)” convey the work’s fullness. A record that splendidly established Anthrax’s own sci-fi/horror thrash image by mixing New York’s street sense, overflowing humor and heavy, powerful metal playing extremely naturally. It solidified its position as a corner of thrash metal’s “Big Four.” An enduring great masterpiece of overwhelming polish remaining in rock history — an essential record for all metal fans.