Released Among the Living

The band’s third studio album Among the Living was released in March 1987, and is often considered by both the band and critics to be a major breakthrough for Anthrax. Produced by Eddie Kramer , it showcased the band’s humorous, experimental side and began a lyrical trend focusing on movies, politics, comic books and Stephen King novels. The album was dedicated to Cliff Burton’s memory. Propelled by the singles ” Indians ” and ” I Am the Law “, the success of Among the Living not only turned Anthrax into a household name (along with the remaining “Big Four” of thrash metal–Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer ), but eventually earned them one of their first certified-gold records by the RIAA . “I Am the Law”, which was released as the album’s second single, was backed with a rap-metal hybrid ” I’m the Man ” as its B-side. Anthrax further indulged its appreciation for rap by appearing on the title track of U.T.F.O. ‘s album, Lethal , and their worship for the genre was also attributed to Ian wearing a t-shirt of Public Enemy both on stage and for publicity photo shoots; in response, Public Enemy name-checked Anthrax in the lyrics to their 1988 single ” Bring the Noise “. Anthrax toured for over a year to promote Among the Living , touring Europe again with Metallica, the United States with Metal Church , Testament , D.R.I. , Exodus and Celtic Frost , and supporting Kiss on their Crazy Nights tour.