Editing Anthrax (American band) (section)

==Musical style, influences, and legacy==
Anthrax is one of the bands responsible for the emergence of [[speed metal]] and [[thrash metal]].<ref name="Allmusic Bio">{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=Anthrax Biography |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthrax-mn0000490952 |access-date=March 4, 2013 |website=[[AllMusic]] |quote=Nearly as much as Metallica and Megadeth, Anthrax were responsible for the emergence of speed and thrash metal.}}</ref> It exhibited a typical thrash metal sound on its early albums and was known for humor and comic book references in the lyrics, distinguishing the band from its contemporaries.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024|reason=Originally cited AllMusic, but the source did not support this claim.}} According to ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', Anthrax was one of the few heavy metal bands to receive critical praise and redefine the genre during the 1980s.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/anthrax/biography|title=Anthrax Biography|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|access-date=August 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924172402/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/anthrax/biography|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Original guitarists Scott Ian and Dan Spitz' styles were described as "aggressive and head pounding", with [[power chord]]s and "chugging" pedal points providing the sonic drive.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-first=Pete |editor1-last=Prown |editor2-first=HP |editor2-last=Newquist |title=Legends of Rock Guitar:The Essential Reference of Rock's Greatest Guitarists |url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=0793540429 |publisher= Hal Leonard Corporation |year=1997 |isbn=0-7935-4042-9}}</ref> Author Thomas Harrison wrote that Anthrax played metal at a faster tempo because of its [[punk rock|punk]] influences.<ref>{{Cite book |last= Harrison |first= Thomas |year= 2011 |title= Music of the 1980s |publisher= Greenwood |page= 60}}</ref> It is said that many pioneering thrash musicians, such as Anthrax, were influenced equally by heavy metal and punk rock.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Phillipov |first= Michelle |year= 2012 |title= Death Metal and Music Criticism - Analysis at the Limits |publisher= Lexington Books |page= 57}}</ref> In 1989, [[Brad Tolinski]] of ''[[Guitar World]]'' magazine noted that, "If [[Exodus (band)|Exodus]] is a speed metal equivalent of [[the Rolling Stones]], then New York-based Anthrax must surely be the genre's [[The Beatles|Beatles]]."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Tolinski |first=Brad |date=October 1989 |title=Speed Kills |magazine=[[Guitar World]] |page=70 }}</ref> The band's sixth album, 1993's ''[[Sound of White Noise]]'' (its first with singer John Bush), incorporated [[grunge]] and [[alternative metal]] influences in a darker vein.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://loudwire.com/anthrax-scott-ian-big-4-shows-2025/ |title=Why Anthrax's Scott Ian Says More 'Big 4' Shows Won't Happen Until At Least 2025 |publisher=LOUDWIRE |date=January 15, 2023 |accessdate=February 21, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2011/03/02/justify-your-shitty-taste-anthrax-s-sound-of-white-noise/ |title=Justify Your Shitty Taste: Anthrax's "Sound of White Noise" |publisher=DECIBEL |date=March 2, 2011 |accessdate=February 21, 2023}}</ref> Critics consider the band's studio releases from the Bush era as having a more alternative metal, grunge and [[groove metal]] sound.<ref name="villagevoice">{{cite news |author=Christopher R. Weingarten |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2011-09-14/music/anthrax-and-joey-belladonna-keep-it-in-the-family/ |title=Anthrax and Joey Belladonna Keep It In the Family – Page 1 – Music – New York |newspaper=Village Voice |date=September 14, 2011 |access-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-date=December 19, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141219174506/http://www.villagevoice.com/2011-09-14/music/anthrax-and-joey-belladonna-keep-it-in-the-family/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://metalinjection.net/news/frank-bello-discusses-the-john-bush-era-of-anthrax-names-the-songs-hed-love-to-play-live |title=FRANK BELLO Discusses The JOHN BUSH Era Of ANTHRAX, Names The Songs He'd Love To Play Live |publisher=METAL INJECTION |date=October 19, 2022 |accessdate=February 21, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.classicrockhistory.com/top-10-anthrax-songs/ |title=Top 10 Anthrax Songs |publisher=Classic Rock History |date= June 6, 2022 |accessdate=February 21, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://metal-digest.com/2022/05/03/anthrax-weve-come-for-you-all/ |title=ANTHRAX – 'WE'VE COME FOR YOU ALL' |publisher=metal digest |accessdate=February 21, 2023}}</ref> The album ''Worship Music'' marked a return to thrash metal and the return of singer Joey Belladonna.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://loudwire.com/anthrax-worship-music-album-review/ |title=ANTHRAX, 'WORSHIP MUSIC' - ALBUM REVIEW |publisher= LOUDWIRE |date= September 13, 2011 |accessdate=February 22, 2023}}</ref> Although the songs are credited to the whole band, since ''[[Spreading the Disease]]'' the music has been written almost entirely by [[Charlie Benante]] and the lyrics by [[Scott Ian]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/charlie_benante_of_anthrax/|title=Charlie Benante of Anthrax : Songwriter Interviews|website=Songfacts.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/charlie-benante-how-i-became-anthraxs-main-music-writer/|title=CHARLIE BENANTE: How I Became ANTHRAX's Main Music Writer|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=May 18, 2021 }}</ref> although [[John Bush (musician)|John Bush]] made some lyrical contributions during his tenure in the band.

[[File:2017 Anthrax - by 2eight - 8SC3670.jpg|thumb|270px|Anthrax performing in 2017]]
Anthrax has been influenced by a variety of music, including [[classic rock]] and [[hard rock]] acts as [[Rush (band)|Rush]], [[Cheap Trick]], [[AC/DC]], [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]], [[Queen (band)|Queen]], [[Thin Lizzy]], [[Boston (band)|Boston]] and [[Journey (band)|Journey]], all of whom the band had covered on its EP ''Anthems''.<ref name="anthems">{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/anthrax-anthems-ep-artwork-more-details-revealed/|title=Anthrax: 'Anthems' EP Artwork, More Details Revealed|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=January 15, 2013|access-date=March 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://bravewords.com/news/anthrax-guitarist-scott-ian-on-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-i-feel-like-theyre-never-gonna-let-kiss-in-which-is-pretty-lame-when-you-consider-what-theyve-accomplished |title=ANTHRAX Guitarist Scott Ian On Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame |date=March 21, 2013 |website=Bravewords.com |access-date=August 14, 2014}}</ref><ref name="covers">{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/anthrax-s-top-10-best-classic-rock-covers|title=Anthrax's top 10 best classic rock covers|website=loudersound.com|date=June 14, 2016 |access-date=July 27, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://highway81revisited.com/album-review-anthrax-anthems/|title=ALBUM REVIEW: ANTHRAX - 'ANTHEMS'|website=highway81revisited.com|date=April 8, 2013 |access-date=July 27, 2022}}</ref> Their other influences include [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] bands such as [[Deep Purple]],<ref>{{cite book |last=Ian |first=Scott |author-link=Scott Ian |title=I'm the Man: The Story of That Guy from Anthrax |date=2014 |publisher=[[Da Capo Press]] |isbn=978-0306823343 |page=90}}</ref> [[Black Sabbath]],<ref name="covers"/> [[Iron Maiden]],<ref name="national loudwire">{{cite magazine|url=https://loudwire.com/anthrax-smithsonian-institute-national-museum-american-history/|title=Anthrax Profiled in National Museum of American History|magazine=[[Loudwire]]|date=January 30, 2016|access-date=July 27, 2022}}</ref> [[Judas Priest]],<ref name="national loudwire"/><ref name="benante loudwire">{{cite magazine|url=https://loudwire.com/anthrax-charlie-benante-acts-led-him-double-kick-drum-glory/|title=Anthrax's Charlie Benante: How 'Wipe Out!' Influenced Him|magazine=[[Loudwire]]|date=October 8, 2018|access-date=April 16, 2019}}</ref> [[Accept (band)|Accept]],<ref name="benante loudwire"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/accepts-wolf-hoffmann-how-we-wrote-fast-as-a-shark/|title=ACCEPT's WOLF HOFFMANN: How We Wrote 'Fast As A Shark'|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=October 8, 2018|access-date=April 16, 2019}}</ref> [[Motörhead]],<ref name="national loudwire"/><ref name="benante loudwire"/> [[Exodus (band)|Exodus]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_most_underappreciated_bands_of_all_time/s1__37691898|title=The most underappreciated bands of all time|website=yardbarker.com|access-date=July 27, 2022}}</ref> [[UFO (band)|UFO]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/community_feed/phil_mogg_i_am_leaving_ufo.html|title=Phil Mogg: I Am Leaving UFO|publisher=[[Ultimate Guitar Archive|Ultimate-Guitar.com]]|date=May 29, 2018|access-date=May 29, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://zwaremetalen.com/nieuws/phil-mogg-neemt-afscheid-van-ufo|title=Phil Mogg neemt afscheid van UFO|publisher=zwaremetalen.com|date=May 29, 2018|access-date=June 9, 2018}}</ref> [[Saxon (band)|Saxon]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metalnation.com/ranking-saxon-worst-to-first-the-studio-albums/|title=Ranking SAXON: Worst to First, the Studio Albums|publisher=metalnation.com|date=February 10, 2018|access-date=April 25, 2019}}</ref> and [[Raven (British band)|Raven]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theaquarian.com/2013/09/18/interview-with-raven-walk-through-fire/|title=Interview with Raven: Walk Through Fire|website=theaquarian.com|access-date=July 27, 2022}}</ref> as well as [[hardcore punk]] bands such as [[Bad Brains]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/anthraxs-scott-ian-10-albums-that-blew-my-mind-636196|title=Anthrax's Scott Ian: 10 albums that blew my mind|website=musicradar.com|date=March 23, 2016 |access-date=July 27, 2022}}</ref> [[Dirty Rotten Imbeciles|D.R.I.]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://bravewords.com/news/dirty-rotten-imbeciles-d-r-i-to-release-new-ep-in-june-audio-teaser-streaming |title=DIRTY ROTTEN IMBECILES (D.R.I.) To Release New EP In June; Audio Teaser Streaming |magazine=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|bravewords.com]] |date=May 18, 2016 |access-date=January 15, 2017}}</ref><ref name="knac.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=19887 |title=D.R.I. To Release New EP In June |publisher=[[KNAC|knac.com]] |date=May 18, 2016 |access-date=January 15, 2017}}</ref> [[Suicidal Tendencies]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Review: Megadeth, Suicidal Tendencies and Amon Amarth rock Worcester's DCU Center (Photos)|author=Shawn Costa|work=[[The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts)|The Republican]] |date=13 October 2016 |url=http://www.masslive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/10/megadeth_suicidal_tendencies_a.html |access-date=30 May 2017}}</ref> and [[GBH (band)|GBH]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/san-francisco/things-to-do/gbh-fang|title=GBH / Fang in San Francisco - Time Out|website=timeout.com|date=July 22, 2015 |access-date=July 27, 2022}}</ref> Anthrax is a member of the "big four" of thrash metal with Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer,<ref>{{cite web|last=Chamberlain|first=Rick|title=Thrash big four tour: The stars have their say|url=http://www.musicradar.com/rhythm/thrash-big-four-tour-the-stars-have-their-say-256073/|publisher=[[MusicRadar]]|date=June 21, 2010|access-date=March 29, 2014}}</ref> and often credited as one of the first bands of the genre to emerge from the East Coast, along with [[Overkill (band)|Overkill]] and [[Nuclear Assault]].<ref name="loudersound"/> The band has been credited for laying the groundwork for [[rap metal]] and [[nu metal]].<ref name=BW_Heavy_Metal>{{cite journal|first=Thane |last=Peterson |title=How Corrosive Is Heavy Metal? |url=http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2000/nf20000926_614.htm |journal=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]] |date=September 26, 2000 |access-date=April 3, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20001017185126/http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2000/nf20000926_614.htm |archive-date=October 17, 2000 |df=mdy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://loudwire.com/albums-defined-nu-metal-beginning/ |title=ROOTS: 10 ALBUMS THAT DEFINED NU-METAL'S BEGINNINGS |publisher=LOUDWIRE |date=October 27, 2017 |accessdate=February 21, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Hess |first=Mickey |year= 2007 |title=Icons of Hip Hop: An Encyclopedia of the Movement, Music, and Culture |publisher=Greenwood Press |page=189 }}</ref> According to [[Nielsen SoundScan]], Anthrax sold 2.5 million records in the United States from 1991 to 2004,<ref>{{cite news|title=Top-Selling Hard Rock Artists According To Nielsen Soundscan|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/updated-top-selling-hard-rock-artists-according-to-nielsen-soundscan/|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=January 30, 2004|access-date=March 29, 2014}}</ref> and 10 million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|title=Anthrax Profile |url=http://www.nuclearblast.de/en/label/music/band/about/70967.anthrax.html|publisher=[[Nuclear Blast]] |access-date=September 25, 2015}}</ref>

Anthrax has influenced multiple bands such as [[Pantera]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/pantera-mn0000005441/related|title=Pantera - Related Artists|publisher=allmusic.com|access-date=March 11, 2024}}</ref> [[Sepultura]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/sepulturas-andreas-kisser-we-dont-try-to-create-clones-or-try-to-follow-formulas/|title=Sepultura's Andreas Kisser: 'We Don't Try To Create Clones Or Try To Follow Formulas'|date=November 7, 2015|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=March 11, 2024}}</ref> [[Cannibal Corpse]], [[Testament (band)|Testament]], [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]],<ref name="joey_in2">{{cite web |last=Stocks |first=Matt |date=June 21, 2016 |title=Joey Jordison's Top 10 Best Drummers Of All Time |url=http://teamrock.com/feature/2016-06-21/joey-jordison-10-best-drummers-slipknot-metallica-slayer-mayhem-mr-bungle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622131002/http://teamrock.com/feature/2016-06-21/joey-jordison-10-best-drummers-slipknot-metallica-slayer-mayhem-mr-bungle |archive-date=June 22, 2016 |access-date=February 3, 2017 |work=teamrock.com}}</ref> [[Death Angel]], [[Korn]], [[Limp Bizkit]], [[311 (band)|311]], [[Papa Roach]], [[Avenged Sevenfold]], [[Killswitch Engage]], [[Children of Bodom]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Admin |date=1999-09-01 |title=Children of Bodom – Hatebreeder – Interview {{!}} Lollipop Magazine |url=https://lollipopmagazine.com/1999/09/children-of-bodom-hatebreeder-interview/ |access-date=2024-02-10 |language=en}}</ref> [[Sevendust]], [[Terror (band)|Terror]] and [[Insane Clown Posse]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/community_feed/tour_rumor_testament_killswitch_engage_terror_anthrax_sevendust_and_suicidal_tendencies.html|title=Tour Rumor: Testament, Killswitch Engage, Terror, Anthrax, Sevendust and Suicidal Tendencies|publisher=Ultimate-Guitar.com|date=April 30, 2018|access-date=April 30, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthrax-mn0000490952/related|title=Anthrax - Related Artists|publisher=allmusic.com|access-date=March 11, 2024}}</ref>

Anthrax has been known to reference or draw influences from numerous sources in popular culture. "[[I Am the Law (song)|I Am the Law]]" is about the comic book character [[Judge Dredd]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The story behind the song: I Am The Law by Anthrax |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-story-behind-i-am-the-law-by-anthrax |website=Louder|date=February 26, 2019 }}</ref> The title track to the album ''[[Among the Living]]'' is based on the [[Stephen King]] novel ''[[The Stand]]'', in particular the character of villain [[Randall Flagg]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Ten Songs Inspired by Stephen King |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2017/09/04/ten-songs-inspired-stephen-king/ |website=Decibel Magazine|date=September 4, 2017 }}</ref> while "A Skeleton in the Closet" is based on King's novella [[Apt Pupil]]<ref>{{cite web |title=A Skeleton in the Closet by Anthrax |url=https://www.songfacts.com/facts/anthrax/a-skeleton-in-the-closet |website=Songfacts}}</ref> and "Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)" pays tribute to actor and original ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' cast member [[John Belushi]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Songfacts interview with Charlie Benante by Greg Prato |url=http://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/charlie_benante_of_anthrax/.html |website=Songfacts}}</ref> The song "The Constant" is based on an episode of ''[[Lost (2004 TV series)|Lost]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Anthrax's Scott Ian on playing Yankee Stadium, getting inspiration from 'Lost,' and facial hair |url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2011/09/13/anthrax-yankee-stadium-scott-ian-interview/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref>

The band, for a period of time, used a caricature of a bald man's face as a mascot; he was colloquially christened the "Not Man".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/10-best-metal-mascots/|title=10 Best Metal Mascots|website=Loudwire|date=August 7, 2013 }}</ref> The face itself comes from a rubber kids toy called "Magic Monster".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://weirdotoys.com/magic-monster-by-heartland/|title=Magic Monster by Heartland - Weirdo Toys|date=October 30, 2009}}</ref>