The Greater of Two Evils

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The Greater of Two Evils is an album by American thrash metal band Anthrax. The album was released in November 2004 (2004 in music) on the Sanctuary record label.

The album is made up of fourteen Anthrax 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 version 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.

This is the last Anthrax release prior to the band's reunion with Joey Belladonna and guitarist Dan Spitz.

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Original album	Length
1.	"Deathrider"	(Neil Turbin, Scott Ian, Dan Lilker)	Fistful of Metal	3:04
2.	"Metal Thrashing Mad"	(Neil Turbin, Scott Ian, Lilker)	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"	(Neil Turbin, Scott Ian, Lilker)	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)	(Neil Turbin, Scott Ian, Lilker) 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"	(Neil Turbin, Scott Ian, Lilker)	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
• Scott Ian – Rhythm guitar, Backing vocals, Occasional Lead guitar (Panic, Anthrax)
• Frank Bello – Bass, Backing vocals
• Charlie Benante – Drums