Anthrax had already scored well with 1985's Spreading the Disease, the first album to include long-term bassist Frankie Bello and on-and-off (currently 'on') vocalist Joey Belladonna. But it was on 1987's Among The Living that Anthrax hit it big. Arguably one their best albums, Among The Living catapulted the New Yorkers into the big leagues of trash metal and has remained a favorite of fans through numerous lineup changes and periods of creative inconsistency. The first track is an instant classic, but the follow-up, "Caught In A Mosh", caused enough back damage to prove that neither Anthrax nor Among The Living would be flashes in the pan.

The album starts with the haunting, sinister notes of the title track, before the electric guitars of Scott Ian and Dan Spitz take those notes and blow them up like they're destroying the bridge on the river Kwai all over again. Without warning, Charlie Benante takes over, powering the song along like he's trying to break the sound barrier. The tempo never lets up after that, taking us through Stephen King's dystopian world of The Stand as Joey Belladonna sings the part of Randall "the Walkin' Dude" Flagg. The chorus naturally lends itself to audience participation, with everybody pumping their fists and yelling "Among!" By the time the song crashes to its end, you are left pummeled and exhausted, confident that nothing could possibly follow the ass-kicking you just received.

And when "Caught In A Mosh" starts, you don't think anything will. The slow power chords seem to provide a welcome relief from the assault of "Among The Living" - but that's the best part, because the don't. Out of a fading crash comes Frankie Bello's demented bass, and before you know it, the band takes off into another twisted ride. They lyrics aren't the greatest you'll ever read ("You're always in the way, like a beast on my back/Were you dropped as a baby? 'cause brains you lack"), but the song charges along like your dad's car when you took it for your first joyride. The breakdown section cemented Anthrax's claim as one of the most headbanging bands of the American thrash scene.

"Among the Living" and "Caught In A Mosh" would prove popular enough for Anthrax to include the songs (back-to-back) on their Alive 2 album in 2005, and The Greatest of Two Evils compilation in 2004 (with John Bush on vocals). The band's career ebbed and flowed after the release of Among The Living, never quite reaching the levels they did with Among The Living. Creative stagnation, a revolving-door member list and a complete mishandling of their lead vocalist spot (Belladonna --> Bush --> Dan Nelson --> Bush --> and now back to Belladonna) have lowered Anthrax's stock in recent times. But if you're in doubt, put on Among The Living. Listen to the first track creep up on you, and then take your head off in the blink of an eye. As the chords fade away, you think the second will give you a break, a chance to catch your breath. And then Benante's drums and Bello's bass give you a case of whiplash that will last you a while.