Big Four thrashers Anthrax have been working on a new album throughout 2015, but they're also getting ready to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their game-changing sophomore release, Spreading the Disease. A deluxe, two-disc re-release will infect the faithful on November 20 via Universal.
A press release confirms the tweaked-up offering's arrival, noting that the 1985 album is "still considered one of the best thrash-metal records ever recorded." According to the band, they've had a special edition reissue of the album, which was the first from the outfit to feature longtime vocalist Joey Belladonna and bassist Frank Bello, in mind for a while.
"We wanted to do something special for our fans to celebrate the anniversary of Spreading the Disease," drummer Charlie Benante said in a statement. "We took the idea to Universal a couple of years ago and have been very hands-on with them, creating this special, deluxe edition that we think our fans will really like."
The first disc features the full nine-song Spreading the Disease, as well as a demo recording of its "Medusa." The second adds nine "rhythm tracks" from the 1984 recording sessions, which feature no vocals or overdubs, according to the press release, "just drums, some guitar, a bit of bass, showing the songs in their naked, most basic form." It also includes eight songs recorded in 1987 at Anthrax's first Japanese concert, which took place at Tokyo's Sun Plaza.
The follow-up to 1984's Fistful of Metal, Spreading the Disease was Anthrax's major label debut and had originally been issued via Megaforce/Island Records. It found the act further developing their signature thrash style. Stand-outs include "A.I.R.," "Madhouse," "Armed and Dangerous" and "Gung Ho."
Bello noted: "What we were doing was so fresh, so different — we had heavy songs with these great, melodic vocals — and eventually, people caught on and loved what we were doing. I think every song on STD still stands up today."
You'll find a full rundown of the deluxe edition of Spread the Disease down below. By the look of things, the reissue is slated for only a CD reissue.
There is still no word on when Anthrax will issue their next album, which they've been recording since the beginning of the year. Benante had previously noted that Anthrax "have enough material to have a double record at this point." The as-yet-untitled album is expected to land in 2016.
Spreading the Disease 30th Anniversary Edition:
Disc One:
1. A.I.R.
2. Lone Justice
3. Madhouse
4. S.S.D./Stand or Fall
5. The Enemy
6. Aftershock
7. Armed and Dangerous
8. Medusa
9. Gung-Ho
10. Medusa (Joey Belladonna demo)
Disc Two:
1. A.I.R. *
2. Metal Thrashing Mad *
3. The Enemy *
4. Madhouse *
5. Howling Furries *
6. Armed And Dangerous *
7. Gung-Ho *
8. Soldiers of Metal *
9. Lone Justice $
10. Gung-Ho $
11. Metal Thrashing Mad $
12. Raise Hell $
13. Stand Or Fall $
14. Aftershock $
15. Armed And Dangerous $
16. Madhouse $
17. The Enemy $
* Live at Sun Plaza (Tokyo) 1987
$ Rhythm track tape, 1984
A press release confirms the tweaked-up offering's arrival, noting that the 1985 album is "still considered one of the best thrash-metal records ever recorded." According to the band, they've had a special edition reissue of the album, which was the first from the outfit to feature longtime vocalist Joey Belladonna and bassist Frank Bello, in mind for a while.
"We wanted to do something special for our fans to celebrate the anniversary of Spreading the Disease," drummer Charlie Benante said in a statement. "We took the idea to Universal a couple of years ago and have been very hands-on with them, creating this special, deluxe edition that we think our fans will really like."
The first disc features the full nine-song Spreading the Disease, as well as a demo recording of its "Medusa." The second adds nine "rhythm tracks" from the 1984 recording sessions, which feature no vocals or overdubs, according to the press release, "just drums, some guitar, a bit of bass, showing the songs in their naked, most basic form." It also includes eight songs recorded in 1987 at Anthrax's first Japanese concert, which took place at Tokyo's Sun Plaza.
The follow-up to 1984's Fistful of Metal, Spreading the Disease was Anthrax's major label debut and had originally been issued via Megaforce/Island Records. It found the act further developing their signature thrash style. Stand-outs include "A.I.R.," "Madhouse," "Armed and Dangerous" and "Gung Ho."
Bello noted: "What we were doing was so fresh, so different — we had heavy songs with these great, melodic vocals — and eventually, people caught on and loved what we were doing. I think every song on STD still stands up today."
You'll find a full rundown of the deluxe edition of Spread the Disease down below. By the look of things, the reissue is slated for only a CD reissue.
There is still no word on when Anthrax will issue their next album, which they've been recording since the beginning of the year. Benante had previously noted that Anthrax "have enough material to have a double record at this point." The as-yet-untitled album is expected to land in 2016.
Spreading the Disease 30th Anniversary Edition:
Disc One:
1. A.I.R.
2. Lone Justice
3. Madhouse
4. S.S.D./Stand or Fall
5. The Enemy
6. Aftershock
7. Armed and Dangerous
8. Medusa
9. Gung-Ho
10. Medusa (Joey Belladonna demo)
Disc Two:
1. A.I.R. *
2. Metal Thrashing Mad *
3. The Enemy *
4. Madhouse *
5. Howling Furries *
6. Armed And Dangerous *
7. Gung-Ho *
8. Soldiers of Metal *
9. Lone Justice $
10. Gung-Ho $
11. Metal Thrashing Mad $
12. Raise Hell $
13. Stand Or Fall $
14. Aftershock $
15. Armed And Dangerous $
16. Madhouse $
17. The Enemy $
* Live at Sun Plaza (Tokyo) 1987
$ Rhythm track tape, 1984
