The Greater of Two Evils
This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2020) |
The Greater of Two Evils | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Cover art by Shepard Fairey | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | November 23, 2004 | |||
Recorded | Avatar Studios, New York City, January 24–25, 2004 | |||
Genre | Thrash metal | |||
Length | 73:04 | |||
Label | Sanctuary, Nuclear Blast | |||
Producer | Anthrax | |||
Anthrax chronology | ||||
|
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Classic Rock | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Encyclopedia of Popular Music | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
musicOMH | favorable[4] |
The Greater of Two Evils is an album by American thrash metal band Anthrax. The album was released in November 2004 via the Sanctuary record label. It is the last Anthrax release prior to the band's reunion with Joey Belladonna and guitarist Dan Spitz.
The album is made up of fourteen songs from the band's early era that were first released between 1983 and 1990. These tracks have been re-recorded by Anthrax's 2004 lineup, with vocalist John Bush recording new versions of songs originally sung by Neil Turbin and Joey Belladonna. The final track listing was decided by a vote on the band's website. The track list was then recorded by the band "live" in the studio over two days. The album was originally going to be named "Metallum Maximum Aeturnum", with possible plans to change it to "Old School, New School, Our School: Metallum Maximum Aeturnum" or "Metal Thrashing Mad: Metallum Maximum Aeturnum". The album sleeve features liner notes by comedian and Anthrax fan Brian Posehn.
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original album | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Deathrider" | Charlie Benante, Scott Ian, Dan Lilker, Dan Spitz, Neil Turbin | Fistful of Metal | 3:04 |
2. | "Metal Thrashing Mad" | Benante, Ian, Lilker, Spitz, Turbin | Fistful of Metal | 2:47 |
3. | "Caught in a Mosh" | Anthrax | Among the Living | 5:27 |
4. | "A.I.R." | Anthrax | Spreading the Disease | 6:21 |
5. | "Among the Living" | Anthrax | Among the Living | 5:52 |
6. | "Keep It in the Family" | Anthrax | Persistence of Time | 7:25 |
7. | "Indians" | Anthrax | Among the Living | 6:38 |
8. | "Madhouse" | Anthrax | Spreading the Disease | 4:26 |
9. | "Panic" | Ian, Lilker, Turbin | Fistful of Metal | 3:35 |
10. | "I Am the Law" | Anthrax, Lilker | Among the Living | 6:03 |
11. | "Belly of the Beast" | Anthrax | Persistence of Time | 5:42 |
12. | "Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)" | Anthrax | Among the Living | 5:57 |
13. | "Be All, End All" | Anthrax | State of Euphoria | 6:29 |
14. | "Gung-Ho" "Lone Justice" (hidden track) | Ian, Lilker, Turbin Anthrax | Spreading the Disease Spreading the Disease | 8:48 |
Bonus disc (Japanese edition)
The following tracks are available on a 2-disc Japanese version sold in other countries as an import.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original album | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Anthrax" | Ian, Lilker, Turbin | Fistful of Metal | 3:25 |
2. | "Lone Justice" | Anthrax | Spreading the Disease | 4:34 |
3. | "In My World" | Anthrax | Persistence of Time | 6:29 |
Trivia
- The Japanese katakana writing on the front cover says: スラッシュ メタル, literally Surasshu Metaru (a transliteration of "thrash metal").
- On the original version of the album, "Lone Justice" appears as a hidden track. It begins after "Gung-Ho" ends, and is followed by the sound of "Lone Justice" being rewound. The song was included due to what seemed to be a strong demand for the track to be recorded by the members of the band's official message board, although many on the board claimed that the high votes for the song were a result of internet sabotage of the voting process. This addition to the album was not included on the Japanese edition, which featured an additional disc, on which "Lone Justice" was featured as a separate track.
- "Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)" is listed as N.F.L. on the cover of the album.
Personnel
- John Bush – lead vocals
- Rob Caggiano – lead guitar, occasional Rhythm guitar
- Scott Ian – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, occasional lead guitar (Panic, Anthrax)
- Frank Bello – bass, backing vocals
- Charlie Benante – drums
References
- ^ Loftus, Johnny. "Anthrax: The Greater of Two Evils". Allmusic. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
- ^ Dome, Malcolm (February 2005). "Resurrection Shuffle". Classic Rock. 76. London, UK: Future Publishing Ltd: 90.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th ed.). Omnibus Press. p. 2006. ISBN 0-85712-595-8.
- ^ Bansal, Vik (November 29, 2004). "Anthrax - The Greater Of Two Evils". musicOMH. Retrieved April 19, 2014.