Anthrax

Anthrax came roaring out of New York City in 1981, started by rhythm guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker, and they became one of the first thrash bands to rise up on the East Coast. Membership churned early: Charlie Benante took over the drums from Greg D'Angelo in 1983, Frank Bello replaced Lilker in 1984, and after Neil Turbin sang on the debut Fistful of Metal, Joey Belladonna stepped in and the lineup finally held.

Then came the run that put them among thrash's Big Four with Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer. Among the Living, in 1987, gave them their first taste of mainstream success with "Indians", and "I'm the Man" came the same year, State of Euphoria (1988) brought "Anti-Social" and "Be All, End All", and Persistence of Time (1990) delivered "Got the Time" and their first Grammy nomination. They cut a single with Public Enemy, too, and "Bring the Noise" slams hip-hop swagger straight into metal crunch.

In 1992 they moved to Elektra and swapped Belladonna for John Bush of Armored Saint, whose Sound of White Noise spawned "Only". Through all the changes that followed, Ian stayed the one constant, and Belladonna rejoined for a third time in 2010. "Refuse to Be Denied", from We've Come for You All in 2003, and later albums Worship Music, For All Kings and Cursum Perficio kept the pit churning.

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