"Spreading the Disease" is the second studio album by the American thrash metal band Anthrax. Released on October 30, 1985, this album marked a significant growth in band's development, showcasing elements of both thrash metal and traditional heavy metal. It was also the first Anthrax album to feature Joey Belladonna on vocals, following the departure of their original vocalist Neil Turbin.
"Spreading the Disease" was produced by Jon Zazula, founder of Megaforce Records, and Carl Canedy, drummer and founder of the band The Rods. Recorded in Pyramid Sound Studios in Ithaca, the album includes ten tracks with a total duration of around 44 minutes. The album's opening track "A.I.R." is an Aldo Nova cover and one of the band's standards.
The lyrical content of the album varies from heavy tracks such as "Medusa" and "Gung-Ho", which deal with themes of hatred and war respectively, to lighter tracks like "Armed and Dangerous", "Aftershock" and the epic "The Enemy" that showcase the band's melodic sensibility.
Upon its release, "Spreading the Disease" was well received by both critics and fans, and it played a substantial role in establishing Anthrax's presence in the thrash metal scene. It established the band's distinct sound and style that would be further developed in their subsequent albums.
The album cover, designed by Island Art Inc, portrays the Anthrax logo and the album title against a white background, which became one of its distinguishing characteristics. The intense, fast-paced music combined with the charismatic performances made this album a classic in the thrash metal genre.
