Spreading the Disease
Encyclopedia
Spreading the Disease is the second studio album by the American heavy metal
band Anthrax
. It was released on October 30, 1985 through Megaforce Worldwide
/Island Records
. It was the band's first album to feature vocalist Joey Belladonna
and bassist Frank Bello
.
". A music video was produced for "Madhouse
" as well, but didn't receive much airplay because it was banned by MTV
, who believed the content to be degrading to the mentally insane.
This was the last Anthrax album to feature songwriting from ex-vocalist Neil Turbin
, who is given songwriting credit on the songs "Armed and Dangerous" and "Gung-Ho". Songwriting credit was shared to the track "Medusa", the first and only songwriting contribution from former producer Jon Zazula. Originally he was credited as the sole writer of the song, but reissues credited the rest of the band to it as well.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Anthrax
Anthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
. It was released on October 30, 1985 through Megaforce Worldwide
Megaforce Records
Megaforce Records is an American independent record label which was founded in 1982 by Jon and Marsha Zazula to publish the first works of Metallica. It has offices in New York and Philadelphia. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony Music Entertainment/RED Distribution...
/Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
. It was the band's first album to feature vocalist Joey Belladonna
Joey Belladonna
Joey Belladonna is a heavy metal singer and drummer, best known as the lead singer for the heavy metal band Anthrax...
and bassist Frank Bello
Frank Bello
Frank Bello is an American musician who plays bass guitar for the thrash metal band Anthrax. Originally he was a roadie and guitar technician for the band, but later he replaced Dan Lilker on the Spreading the Disease album. After leaving Anthrax in early 2004 Bello joined Helmet - another New...
.
Album information
The band produced the album with Carl Canedy, Jon Zazula serving as executive producer. The album includes the single "MadhouseMadhouse (song)
"Madhouse" is a song by the American heavy metal band Anthrax. It was released as the only single from their second album, Spreading the Disease. The song is an up-tempo time signature with heavy distorted guitar riffs. The song has become a staple of live concerts, and has also appeared on...
". A music video was produced for "Madhouse
Madhouse (song)
"Madhouse" is a song by the American heavy metal band Anthrax. It was released as the only single from their second album, Spreading the Disease. The song is an up-tempo time signature with heavy distorted guitar riffs. The song has become a staple of live concerts, and has also appeared on...
" as well, but didn't receive much airplay because it was banned by MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, who believed the content to be degrading to the mentally insane.
This was the last Anthrax album to feature songwriting from ex-vocalist Neil Turbin
Neil Turbin
Neil Turbin is an American thrash metal vocalist known for being the original lead singer for American band Anthrax and current lead vocalist and songwriter of the heavy metal band DeathRiders. -DeathRiders:...
, who is given songwriting credit on the songs "Armed and Dangerous" and "Gung-Ho". Songwriting credit was shared to the track "Medusa", the first and only songwriting contribution from former producer Jon Zazula. Originally he was credited as the sole writer of the song, but reissues credited the rest of the band to it as well.
Track listing
Personnel
- Joey BelladonnaJoey BelladonnaJoey Belladonna is a heavy metal singer and drummer, best known as the lead singer for the heavy metal band Anthrax...
– lead vocals - Dan SpitzDan SpitzDan Spitz is a musician best known for his work as the lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Anthrax from 1983–1995 and from 2005 to 2007. He is the brother of former White Lion and Black Sabbath bassist Dave Spitz.-Personal life:...
– lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure... - Scott IanScott IanScott Ian Rosenfeld , better known by the stage name Scott Ian, is an American musician, best known as the rhythm & lead guitarist for the heavy metal band Anthrax. Ian is also the guitarist and a founding member of the crossover thrash band Stormtroopers of Death...
– rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
, backing vocals - Frank BelloFrank BelloFrank Bello is an American musician who plays bass guitar for the thrash metal band Anthrax. Originally he was a roadie and guitar technician for the band, but later he replaced Dan Lilker on the Spreading the Disease album. After leaving Anthrax in early 2004 Bello joined Helmet - another New...
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals - Charlie BenanteCharlie BenanteCharlie Benante is the drummer for the heavy metal bands Anthrax and Stormtroopers of Death .- Career :...
– drums