Anthrax 'Alive 2' album

Pioneering metal band Anthrax, one of the genre’s most innovative and respected groups, is back with a vengeance. Commemorating its 20th anniversary by touring with its original lineup for the first time in 13 years, Anthrax is exclusively playing its classics from 1985 to 1991, both on the Gigantour in early September (western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest) and with Judas Priest from September 24 through October 18 (across Canada as well as the East and Midwest of the U.S.) with additional Judas Priest and Anthrax headline dates to be added.

Those gems are also heard on the band’s most comprehensive “best of” collection ever issued, its first two-CD retrospective, Anthrology: No Hit Wonders (1985-1991), and its first video compilation, the DVD Anthrology: No Hit Wonders (1985-1991) The Videos (both on Island/UMe), and on separate live CD and DVD packages Alive 2 (2005) (on Sanctuary Records) which documents the group’s momentous summer 2005 reunion tour. All four packages will be released September 20, 2005.

One of the greatest metal bands in history, Anthrax reunited its original lineup of singer Joey Belladonna, guitarists Scott Ian and Dan Spitz, bassist Frank Bello and drummer Charlie Benante with the Alive 2 (2005) DVD capturing the actual meeting in which the five came together for the first time in over 10 years. Along with band rehearsals and behind-the-scenes footage, the DVD also spotlights 13 performances on the group’s triumphant reunion tour. The Alive 2 (2005) CD reprises the audio for 11 of those songs (“Madhouse” and “I’m The Man” are only on the DVD): “Among The Living,” “Caught In A Mosh,” “I Am The Law,” “A.I.R.,” “N.F.L.,” “Deathrider,” “Medusa,” “In My World,” “Indians,” “Time” and “Be All, End All”--and adds “Antisocial.” In a unique twist, the booklets from the DVD and CD releases form an exclusive poster.

As for the original recordings, Anthrology: No Hit Wonders (1985-1991) marks the first time that Anthrax’s recordings are being released with newly remastered versions of their classic hits. It begins with the follow-up to Anthrax’s 1984 Fistful Of Metal debut, Spreading The Disease, which appeared in 1985 and was re-released in 1986 when indie Megaforce pacted with Island. Anthrology includes “Madhouse,” “A.I.R.,” “Armed And Dangerous,” “Lone Justice,” “The Enemy,” “Medusa” and “Gung-Ho,” tracks that defined the band’s take-no-prisoners speed metal style.

1987’s Among The Living built on Anthrax’s grassroots following with signature tracks such as “I Am The Law,” “Caught In A Mosh,” “Indians,” “Among The Living,” “Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)” and “Skeleton In The Closet,” and the album went gold. Later that year, the EP I’m The Man, with a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” and three versions of the title song (Anthrology reprises the Def Uncensored Radio Version), broke new ground with its then-unheard of fusion of rock and rap--and went platinum.

The 1988 gold follow-up, State Of Euphoria, included the raucous “Antisocial,” “Be All, End All,” “Make Me Laugh,” “Who Cares Wins,” “Now It’s Dark” and “Finale.” Also heard on Anthrology is the rare French version of “Antisocial” from the 1989 Penikufesin EP released only in Europe and Japan. Persistence Of Time (1990), again gold, included the powerful “Belly Of The Beast,” the Joe Jackson cover “Got The Time” and the anti-racism rant “Keep It In The Family” as well as “Time,” “In My World,” “Intro To Reality” and “Discharge.” The album also earned Anthrax a Grammy nomination and led to the summer 1991 gold rarities collection Attack Of The Killer B’s. That disc’s headliner was its “Bring Tha Noize” collaboration with Public Enemy’s Chuck D that ushered in rap metal.

The DVD Anthrology: No Hit Wonders (1985-1991) The Videos spotlights live performances of “Armed And Dangerous,” “Among The Living,” “Caught In A Mosh” and “Metal Thrashing Mad.” Also seen are videos for “Madhouse,” “Indians,” “I Am The Law,” “Belly Of The Beast,” “Got The Time,” “In My World,” “I’m The Man” (U.S. version), “Who Cares Wins” and “Bring Tha Noize With Public Enemy.”

In addition, just prior to the release of these four landmark collections, Anthrax will launch a new fan club Web site (to supplement its longstanding anthrax.com headquarters). The Anthrax CDC, home of the official Anthrax worldwide fan club, will be the online source for Anthrax exclusive content, contests, merchandise, etc. AnthraxCDC.com will be the place to mosh in cyberspace.

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Anthrax - Alive 2