How a New York thrash metal band navigated a global health crisis namesake
In short: Formed in 1981, Anthrax became a pillar of the thrash metal Big Four. Yet, their most surreal challenge arrived in 2001, when the band’s name coincided with a series of domestic bioterror attacks. Rather than rebranding, they chose a defiant path that cemented their identity during a national panic.
Anthrax was founded in Queens, New York, in July 1981 by guitarists Scott Ian and Dan Lilker. Named after a disease Ian discovered in a biology textbook because it sounded sufficiently evil, the band quickly rose to prominence as a leader of the 1980s thrash metal scene. Alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer, they formed the genre's Big Four, marking them as one of the first major thrash acts to emerge from the East Coast.
The band’s career has been defined by constant evolution and a revolving door of members, with Scott Ian remaining the only consistent presence. Their mainstream breakthrough arrived with the 1987 album Among the Living, which introduced a lyrical focus on comic books, movies, and politics. By the early 1990s, they were experimenting with rap-metal hybrids and achieving significant chart success, notably with 1993's Sound of White Noise, which reached number seven on the Billboard 200.
In 2001, the band faced an unexpected public relations crisis during the real-world anthrax attacks in the United States. As internet searches for their name spiked, the band briefly joked about changing their moniker to something friendlier, like 'Basket Full of Puppies.' However, they ultimately rejected the idea after receiving encouragement from members of the NYPD and FDNY. At a 9/11 benefit concert, they wore boiler suits declaring, 'We're not changing our name,' a move that solidified their resolve.
Despite numerous lineup shifts, including the departure and return of vocalist Joey Belladonna, the band has maintained a prolific output, releasing 12 studio albums. Their resilience is reflected in their commercial history, with total worldwide sales reaching ten million records. From their early days in New York clubs to their Grammy-nominated status, Anthrax has navigated internal turmoil and external controversy to remain a enduring force in heavy metal.
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