UMUR "Among The Living" is the 3rd full-length studio album by US, New York based thrash/heavy metal act Anthrax. The album was released through Megaforce Worldwide/Island Records in March 1987. It´s the successor to "Spreading The Disease" from 1985 and features the same lineup who recorded the predecessor. "Among The Living" was produced by prolific producer Eddie Kramer, who among other things had worked as producer on some of Kiss mid-70s releases. One of the artists that Anthrax have often cited as a great influence on their music.

Hiring an elite level producer has payed off big-time, as "Among The Living" features an incredibly well sounding production, which provides the material with the best possible opportunity to shine. It´s hard-edged, powerful, and organic sounding, and it´s one of those rare cases where there is a perfect symbiosis between the material and the sound production. Considering that "Among The Living" is an early 1987 thrash metal release, it´s quite the achievement.

So with a sound production like that there are no excuses not to deliver amazing musical performances and intriguing songwriting, and thankfully that´s exactly what Anthrax do on "Among The Living". While the band maintain a melodic heavy metal element on most tracks (which is in large part due to Joey Belladonna´s voice and singing style), which was also present on the two preceding album releases, they turn up the thrash metal elements on this album. It´s both much faster, more raw, and more aggressive than anything featured on the early releases by Anthrax. When that is said Anthrax aren´t exactly "lords of darkness", although many of the tracks feature dark subject lyrics. Both the title track and "A Skeleton In The Closet" for example feature lyrics inspired by novels by horror author Stephen King ("The Stand" and "Apt Pupil" respectfully). "I Am The Law" features lyrics inspired by the dark comic Judge Dread, while "Indians" deal with the native American issue. "Caught in a Mosh" pull in a more light topic direction though, and it is basically an ode to moshing (not completely unlike "Toxic Waltz" by Exodus).

The musical performances are on a high level on all posts. The playing is tight, raw, and powerful and Belladonna delivers a strong and distinct sounding vocal performance, which is a major part of the identity of the band´s sound. He has a tendency to sound a little strained, and his voice is probably a bit of an aquired taste considering the raw staccatto singing style of a lot of other contemporary thrash metal vocalists, but he has a pretty unique vocal style, which arguably sets Anthrax apart from the crowd. Belladonna is complimented throughout the album by "riot gang" backing vocals/choirs delivered by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Frank Bello. That part of the band´s sound works really well, and provides the vocal part of the album with good variation and a powerful crossover edge (or a hardcore influence if you will).

So upon conclusion "Among The Living" is a high quality release by Anthrax, which shows great development on all parameters. Powerful and memorable material, a well sounding production, and a band on fire, delivering intense musical performances like there´s no tomorrow. "Among The Living" is simply THE Anthrax album I would direct uninitiated listeners to and if not THE, then at least one of the peaks of their career. A 4.5 star (90%) rating is deserved.

Unitron I'm the walkin' dude!

Among the Living might be the most moshable album out there, everything on here just brings the intensity of a thrash concert to my stereo. From the title track to Imitation of Life, it never lets up. The whole band is in top form, and I can't think of a single other album (except maybe another Anthrax album) that combines serious subject matter, a total fun-loving vibe, in-your-face attitude, heavy thrashing, and great melodies like they were all perfectly meant for each other.

It's impossible for me to pick a favorite when it comes to Anthrax albums, especially with the original Belladonna-fronted albums. Among the Living though has that classic status that fellow big four albums like Ride the Lightning and Peace Sells has. Caught in a Mosh is the ultimate thrash anthem, Skeletons in the Closet is one of my favorite deeper cuts from the band with a hook that always pops in my head, the screaming of 'WARDANCE!' in Indians is the greatest moshing call out, A.D.I./Horror of It All is one of the best thrash epics, and the whole album is just classic. It just exudes everything that makes thrash great: Fun, heavy, fast yet melodic, punchy, and with extra attitude.

Warthur Anthrax always seem to be overlooked a little when it comes to appreciation of the Big Four of thrash; Megadeth get plenty of plaudits, Slayer are absolutely revered, and even though most of Metallica's releases for the past couple of decades have attracted a huge amount of bile and vitriol people still put Master of Puppets on a pedestal. I'm inclined to agree with Sheavy here and say that Among the Living deserves consideration next to Rust In Peace, Reign In Blood and Master of Puppets when it comes to any discussion of classic masterpieces of thrash.

Sure, the lyrical subject matter might tend towards pop culture and comic books - but hey, Megadeth have written multiple songs about The Punisher and on this disc you have One World, one of the more eloquent metal protest songs from the thrash era. And the sheer sense of fun that pervades the album is more than enough to set it apart from the rest of the crowd - it thrashes just as hard as any of the competition, sure, but it's also a feel-good party on a disc, and that's something which is often sneered at. But not by me - I think this might just be Anthrax's best album to date.

The Angry Scotsman Oh poor little Anthrax, the youngest (and silly) brother of the Big 4. A band who never took themselves too seriously, (comic books and thrash!) they made some serious music. However, they were always a bit "off" despite some good music. This is the album where they finally put it all together.

I can't put my finger on it, but Anthrax always had an interesting sound. It took me some time to get used to, but the music on this album is great. Thrashy, (very thrashy at times) but also lots of slower parts. Great riffs, awesome guitar work, good variation and flow to a lot of the songs. Blazing guitar solos and awesome bass. I love when you can hear the bass in metal, and Bello is a damn good one at that! Charlie Benante is the push behind it with his blast beats and blistering double bass. Indeed, it is Scott Ian's rhythm guitar and Benante's drumming that are the core of this album and really drive it. Though each musician is amazingly talented.

The vocals took some getting used to for me. Singing, (opposed to screaming) it can be a tad rough at times, but is not too big an issue. At times however, they can be quite good. If one does not like them, they are easy to ignore at least.

Well composed album, there is not a bad song and really now slow parts either. Album never drags or feels boring. Standout songs: Among the Living, Caught in a Mosh, I Am the Law.

One final point, usually sound quality does not mean much to me. However, on this album it is a bit poor. Maybe that is part of the "anthrax sound" I could never identify but the guitars can sound a bit strange and distant at times, but really the drums suffer. They don't sound too powerful, and the bass drums are often mild thuds. Hell, sometimes I can barely hear a distinct sound. Shame because his drumming is awesome and I wish it was more powerful.

Overall, great album and Anthrax's high point.

Four Stars

Time Signature Caught in a mosh...

Genre: thrash metal

"Among the Living" is a thrash metal classic by Anthrax, one of the thrash metal giants.

From beginning to end, the album is full of high energy thrash metal tunes which emphasize speed and aggression, and fast killing monster riffage. There are some non-thrashy passages, too, such as the epic intro of"Among the Living", the clean guitar at the beginning of "A.D.I./THe Horror of it all" as well as the intro of "Indians" which reminds me a bit of a blend of Thin Lizzy's "Massacre" and "A Passage to Bangkok" by Rush. I should mention that "Indians" is probably one of my favorite Anthrax tracks (an-trax?), because it contains everything they are good at.

Anthrax were one of the few first generation thrash metal bands whose vocalist sang rather than screaming and shouting, and his high melodic vocals suit the music very well. While he generally sings in a higher register, he does show in several places that he is able to sing in a lower register, too, and I think he is probably a more versatile singer than John Bush (not that I have any problems with John Bush - it was when Bush was in the band, I first got into Anthrax).

This is a thrash metal classic and certainly belongs in any thrash metal collection. Power metal fans and some fans of traditional heavy metal might like it too.