Among the Living
Anthrax
Album Description
Pioneering metal band Anthrax, one of the genre's most influential, innovative and respected groups, melded the speed and fury of hardcore punk with the guitars and vocals of heavy metal to help create speed and thrash metal. Now what many consider the group's greatest album, 1987's "Among The Living," has been expanded with bonus tracks and a concert DVD, and digitally remastered for the first time, for the CD+DVD package AMONG THE LIVING (DELUXE EDITION)
"Among The Living," originally produced by Eddie Kramer and Anthrax, was the band's third full-length album and featured the lineup of singer Joe Belladonna, lead guitarist Dan Spitz, rhythm guitarist Scott Ian, bassist Frank Bello and drummer Charlie Benante. Building on an underground following with signature tracks such as "I Am The Law," "Caught In A Mosh" and "Indians," the album catapulted Anthrax to widespread recognition and earned the group's first gold award. "Among The Living" also marked the height of the band's use of horror and comic book inspirations, with the title track and album cover image based on the Stephen King novel "The Stand," "A Skeleton In The Closet" on King's novella Apt Pupil, and "I Am The Law" on the comic book character Judge Dredd.
Added for the new AMONG THE LIVING (DELUXE EDITION) version are previously unreleased studio outtakes of "Indians," "One World" and "Imitation Of Life"; an instrumental of "I'm The Man"; a live-in-Dallas 1987 version of "I Am The Law"; and "Bud E Luv Bomb And Satan's Lounge Band," originally released as the "I Am The Law" b-side. The bonus DVD is the live-in-London concert film "OIDIVNIKUFESIN (N.F.V.)," which went gold when issued on video in 1987.
From the Artist
"This record was done at a time when life was moving so fast for us, and I think the music reflects that pace. I really enjoyed going back into 1986/87 and found some great stuff in my vault I had forgot about. I think Anthrax fans will enjoy this remastered collection; the high end and low end is back as how it was intended to sound. Thrash metal is alive and well in 'Among The Living,'" says drummer Charlie Benante.
For true Anthrax nerds only!!!!
Classic album, but...
Have to say that the remastered sound is fantastic. But the video quality on the DVD shows that absolutely very little effort was put into improving the original home video look. Quite honestly, it looks like a mid generation VHS dub. Very grainy. I understand the original VHS was full of grain, but with what can be done now with video remastering, it could look much better!
Also, the booklet is a bit skimpy. It has a nice bit written by band friend Brian Poesehn, lyrics, original release credits and some unseen photos. But previous deluxe edition releases had a well written informative essay that focused on the recording of the album, singles affiliated with the release and well as other informational nuggets. This release is sorely missing any of that making it seem kind of thrown together. There was so much potential in making this an ultimate release, but the opportunity seems to have been partially squandered.
Instead of the DVD, perhaps a 2nd CD of demos, more alternate takes and the remaining songs from the sessions like "Sabbath, Bloody, Sabbath", "I'm the Man" (vocal version) and "Taint" would have been better. Why not include the "I'm The Man" ep, the one live Dallas track is an awkward stand out without the rest of the released songs accompanying it.
So for 30 bucks is it worth it? The bonus alternate tracks are really cool and I am happy to support the band by buying another copy of an album I already have. But unless you're a total Anthrax nerd it is probably best to stick with the original, less expensive release. The video quality of the DVD is inexcusable though for that price. I hope that if there are further Deluxe Edition Anthrax releases in the future, more thought and effort is put into them to ensure that the fan is getting a truly unique and comprehensive release.
Heck yes!
This is a landmark album for one of metal's most notorious bands. A must-have for anyone's collection. Really love the live version of I Am The Law - really proves what a great live band they are.
