Armed & Dangerous

by

Anthrax

Edit

ARMED AND DANGEROUS is the first time that we get to hear ANTHRAX with Joey Belladonna on lead vocals, and it is a preview of what is to come. Yes the album sounds dated by todays standards, but this album is almost 20 years old what do u expect. The songs have killer riffs, combined with Joey's almost opera sounding voice, show why ANTHRAX is a metal band that sound be mentioned in the same breath as METALLICA or SLAYER, and MEGADETH. SOLDIERS OF METAL is a great song full of energy, and GOD SAVE THE QUEEN is a great cover of the SEX PISTOLS classic song. After this album the band would continue to polish their sound, but this album is a must for REAL metal fans. Buy it while u can, when its gone, you will regret not buying it.

In many ways Anthrax was unique compared to their Big Four contemporaries, especially early on. With the recruitment of Joey Belladonna in late 1984-85 to replace Neil Turbin, the thrash mad New Yorkers had a legit singer while Megadeth, Metallica and Slayer had players first singers second in messieurs Mustaine, Hetfield and Arraya. Belladonna made his debut in Anthrax's abbreviated `Armed and Dangerous' which featured a preview of the title track which would also make their major label debut later in '85. Other new recordings include "Raise Hell" and "God Save" which are really nothing special. This EP also featured live takes with Joey on two faves from the debut in which he owns "Metal Thrashing Mad" and "Howling Furies" for all time. Two brief and except for the extras not worthy of four stars (maybe 3 and a half) and should be seen as a transition record as the band would become one the alltime greats and for the rest of the decade help set the standard for American Thrash.