One of the albums that can be pinpointed to as the birth of thrash metal is ANTHRAX's 1984 debut, Fistful Of Metal, a recording that perfectly set the stage for the group's subsequent triumphs, and introduced the world to this hard-hitting New York band.
To celebrate the album's 25-year anniversary, Megaforce Records is releasing a limited edition (only 2,000 copies will be made) vinyl release of the album on May 12th, 2009.
But this is no ordinary vinyl reissue, as it will be spread over three 10-inch records in a tri-fold die cut jacket, and will also include the group's 1985 EP, Armed and Dangerous. The Fistful of Metal vinyl limited edition reissue will retail for $39.98 and will be available at Anthrax's official website - www.anthrax.com - amazon.com and record stores across the country.
"We thought, 'What kind of a great package do we do?'," says Megaforce Records Vice President, Missi Callazzo. "Everybody thought 'picture disc,' but picture discs don't really sound so great, so what we decided to do were three 10-inch records that will be in a gatefold jacket. We're die-cutting the cover, so the illustration of the guy and the fist are die-cut, and when you pick it up, that's where the Anthrax logo is. We thought something 'super custom' to celebrate the band's 25th anniversary."
Long-time band members Charlie Benante and Scott Ian went into their storage facilities and grabbed old reviews, clips, photos and things from magazines to be used in the package. "Finally, Fistful of Metal with photos!" laughed Ian. "We did a photo shoot for the record back then and we hated the pics. It was fun to get into the time machine and re-live that time, well, for an hour anyway. Listening to the record after 25 years, and it still feels full of life. Strangely, I don't feel too far removed from what we were doing then."
The only Anthrax record to feature singer Neil Turbin and bassist Danny Lilker - in addition to Ian (rhythm guitar), Benante (drums), and Dan Spitz (lead guitar) - Fistful Of Metal was originally released in January 1984, spawning such early Anthrax classics as 'Deathrider' and 'Metal Thrashing Mad'. The five-song EP, Armed And Dangerous, was originally released in February 1985, and signaled the recording debuts of singer Joey Belladonna and bassist Frank Bello. The EP featured re-recordings of two Fistful tracks ('Metal Thrashing Mad' and 'Panic'), as well as a cover of the SEX PISTOLS' 'God Save The Queen', plus two originals, 'Raise Hell' and the title track.
Also tying in with the reissue of Fistful Of Metal will be Anthrax' first new studio album in six years (and first album for the Megaforce label in almost 19 years), Worship Music, set for a summer release.
"I worked with Anthrax years ago," recalls Callazzo, "and when I heard that they were looking for a deal and to do a new album, I talked to them right away. Those guys are literally like family to me. We're all excited that they're back here on the label."
And lastly, how does the music on Fistful Of Metal and Armed And Dangerous hold up today? According to Callazzo, "I was doing something, had music on my computer, kind of just running. Y'know how you don't know what is playing because you're working? And I was like, 'Wow, this sounds great,' and it was Anthrax! Fistful Of Metal and Armed And Dangerous sound so timeless."
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Blood Red Throne Reveals New "Souls Of Damnation" Album Cover Artwork
Norwegian death metal band Blood Red Throne have finished recording their fifth studio album "Souls of Damnation," which will be released to coincide with the band's 10th anniversary. The cover art for the album can be viewed here.The limited edition first pressing of "Souls of Damnation" will include two bonus tracks, plus a special bonus DVD featuring an exclusive new interview with the band.
"Souls of Damnation" is due to be released by Earache Records on June 1st in Europe and June 30th in the USA.
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Dinosaur Jr.'s 'Farm' cover art
Here's what I'm getting from the just-released cover art for Farm, Dinosaur Jr.'s second album since reuniting its original lineup a few years back: Guitarist J Mascis and bassist Lou Barlow are magnificent Ents from indie-rock Middle-Earth, bestriding the smog-choked metropolis that is modern music
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Those Darlins to release debut album in July
Nashville classic country/rockabilly trio Those Darlins will release their self-titled debut album on July 7, with the vinyl version dropping a few weeks earlier on June 23.
The band just returned from the SXSW Music Conference in Austin, Texas, where they garnered attention and blogspace from the likes of the New York Times, Paste and Billboard.
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