Horror Metal Flashbacks, Episode 2: The Anthrax Horror Connection

When HMS was conceived, it was my intention to start my own column on the website. Since I grew up in the 80's reading Fangoria magazine, I wanted a column for the website to follow in the footsteps of stuff I read monthly in the mag. This is how 'Blood Is Not Enough' was born.

One of my earlier pieces was a feature on Anthrax's third studio recording "Among The Living". I basically spent the majority of the article connecting the dots for this band's love of horror and comic books and how this inspired many of the song lyrics on the album.

Anthrax was the only band in the anointed Big Four of thrash metal to really take an inspirational deep dive into the works of Stephen King and 2000 A.D.'s Judge Dredd. I was 18 when Among was released on March 22nd, 1987 and it left an indelible mark on my psyche and certainly became fuel for my youthful anger at the time. So I decided to write about the connections to songs like "Among The Living" and ties to The Stand; plus "Skeletons In The Closet" and how King's short story Apt Pupil inspired the song. Then of course there is the fan favourite "I Am The Law" and I showed how it was connected to the band's favourite comic book Judge Dredd.

I did my best with the article to point out these lesser known facts that help make Among one of the greatest thrash metal albums ever produced. I also made references to horror film maker George A. Romero and even provided a few details on Joey Belladonna's brief stint in the 80's slasher film Pledge Night.

So with all this being said, let me introduce you to episode two of Horror Metal Flashbacks, discussing my favourite thrash band and how the worlds of horror films and comic books shaped the band's world. Watch the video on our Youtube channel and please like the video, leave a comment and don't forget to share the video with your friends.

Kenneth Gallant, HMS

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