Anthrax is a band you can call a lot of things; one of them is not being static in their musical approach. Among The Living is one of their strongest and most integrated releases, combining trashing, grooving and speedy elements in a refreshing and extremely heavy cocktail.
Among The Living opens the ball with a massive riff attack and lots of incorporated groove/mosh parts, the vibrant nerve that the band puts out is easily comprehended and goes straight in.
The tempo gets turned up with the aggressive
Caught In A Mosh containing a true
Anthrax speciality in the raw and huge supporting choir.
One thing that is really amazing about this album is the profound and very central bass, this track has some genius parts to offer and overall it just adds that extra powerful twist to the whole album.
I wouldn't say that one instrument is more important than others; everything is just so well played and each band member is allowed his "solo" passages without losing touch with the overall tight balance.
A slower and grooving style is found in
I Am The Law, at least until 3:32 when it suddenly explodes in a fantastic break that leaves you hammered deep into your chair, ultra heavy and extremely vivid.
Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.) has some striking rhythm guitar work that sets a powerful drive through the entire song; spiced with a cool alternative guitar solo and a vigorous chorus this is another great track.
The trashing side of
Anthrax shines with full force in
A Skeleton In The Closet; the impressive and very detailed drum approach from
Charlie Benante being a central focus point.
The technical bass lines sound amazing while the chorus becomes a bit monotone in length.
Indians has with good reason developed into a
Anthrax classic with the years; the melodic guitar lick, the subsequently furious monster riff, the harmonious refrain, the splendid mid-section break and the catchy guitar solo is fittingly build into an amazing composition.
The lyric for this song is a very important one, about the pride of the Native Americans and the disrespectful treatment they have received. In general the lyrical direction on this album is very interesting, being critical of war, prejudice, violence and yearning for something real and honest in both society and man.
One World is not among the better songs on Among The Living, it lacks some of the great passages and forceful build-up that many of the other songs have in plenty. Still its well played and rocks pretty hard.
A.D.I./Horror Of It All starts out with a great melodic acoustic guitar beginning and all in all this is quite complex creation with many twist and turns, it surely keeps you focused.
No doubt that Joe Belladonna was one of the most charismatic singers of the eighties, his crystal clear screaming vocals was an
Anthrax trademark, but he also mastered the more deep and raw singing styles. He sounds extremely strong on this release and
Imitation Of Life sees him perform with amazing grace a difficult, demanding and soaring vocal job. This ending track is no short in speed, groove or insanely fast guitar riffing.
That we find ourselves in 1987 becomes apparent when one takes the albums sound into consideration, not that it's bad at all, on the contrary, it's raw, unpolished but well balanced and fitting this amok music like a Metal fist in a Metal glove.
Summary: High explosive energy that takes no prisoners.
Written by
Tommy Sunday, September 5, 2004
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