Band:	Anthrax
Album:	Among The Living
Style:	Thrash metal
Release date:	March 1987

01. Among The Living
02. Caught In A Mosh
03. I Am The Law
04. Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)
05. A Skeleton In The Closet
06. Indians
07. One World
08. A.D.I. / Horror Of It All
09. Imitation Of Life
10. Indians [alternate lead] [2009 deluxe edition bonus]
11. One World [alternate take] [2009 deluxe edition bonus]
12. Imitation Of Life [alternate take] [2009 deluxe edition bonus]
13. Bud E Luv Bomb And Satan's Lounge Band [2009 deluxe edition bonus]
14. I Am The Law [Live in Dallas] [2009 deluxe edition bonus]
15. I'm The Man [instrumental version] [2009 deluxe edition bonus]

This is Anthrax's best album and easily one of the best thrash metal albums ever recorded. It's way up there along with Master Of Puppets and Reign In Blood. For this reviewer, this is actually the DEFINITIVE thrash metal record.

Unlike Metallica and Slayer, the guys from Anthrax weren't taking themselves too seriously and this resulted in an album slightly on the lighter side than those of their rivals. Naturally, I am referring to the 'feel' of the album, and not to the actual musical 'heaviness' because there is some very powerful thrashing going on over here - "Among The Living" is the fastest Anthrax album and the intensity of the songs is usually just as high as on the afore-mentioned Reign In Blood. Nonetheless, Anthrax isn't afraid to goof around a little bit, as is evident by the pop-culture tributes present on the album. "I Am The Law" is a song about Judge Dredd, and I am sure it would have made the horrible motion picture adaptation of the comic book (starring Sylvester Stallone) so much better were it used as the theme. They also have a song simply about moshing, references to Stephen King as well as a politically correct ode to the "Indians". This is not your usual thrash subject matter but it is what makes this band so unique. It also gives us an idea of the excitement connected with thrash in those early years - something which the uber-serious, tough thrash records of the time fall short of showing after all of these years...

The music on this record is simply phenomenal. Not a single song can be considered filler. Already the opening track explodes with incredible energy and this energy doesn't wear off all the way to the speedy "Imitation Of Life". The riffs are truly excellent throughout the whole album. You will find that every single one of them forces you into uncontrolled head banging mayhem and air guitar heroism. In my case; however, it was the air drum kit that got the biggest beating - Charlie Benante's performance here is simply godly. The creator of the blastbeat outdoes himself here and his trademark 'helicopter' double bass pedaling makes me wonder how he is still able to walk... As a matter of fact, the double bass beat at the end of "A.D.I./Horror Of It All" is probably the fastest I have ever heard. Nonetheless, it isn't actually the incredible performance that makes this album as memorable as it is. It is the melody and Joey Belladona's ability to carry it with his voice. It never ceased to amaze me why the band gave him the boot in the early 90ties. His voice is in my opinion the only true voice of Anthrax. Basically, unlike most thrash bands at the time, Anthrax was not afraid to compose catchy (even poppy) melodies and use them in their albums. The standard vocal style of this band at the time was Belladonna's high pitched, melodic singing, contrasted by hardcore gang-shouts in the choruses. This contrast and these melodies are what makes the album the masterpiece that it is. Just listen to "Efilnikufesin" and try to prevent yourself from singing along. Its impossible! Thats how good it is.

The truth is, if you are a fan of metal music (and especially thrash metal music), you need this album in your collection. It is quintessential and a milestone that helped make metal what it is today. It's score of 10/10 is fully justified.