Anthrax Announce ‘Spreading the Disease’ Anniversary Reissue

Anthrax are adding previously unheard music, rhythm tracks and live versions to a special 30th anniversary reissue of their sophomore breakthrough album, Spreading the Disease.

“We wanted to do something special for our fans to celebrate the anniversary of ‘Spreading the Disease,'” Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante said in a press release announcing the album. “We took the idea to Universal [Records] a couple of years ago and have been very hands-on with them, creating this special, deluxe edition that we think our fans will really like.”

Benante archived the original sessions, collecting the basic tracks, alternate takes and alternate mixes that comprise this two-disc set. You can see the complete track listing for Spreading the Disease: 30th Anniversary Edition, which is due on Nov. 20, below.

“What we were doing was so fresh, so different,” says bassist Frank Bello, who, along with singer Joey Belladonna, made his studio debut with the group on this album. “We had heavy songs with these great, melodic vocals. And eventually, people caught on and loved what we were doing. I think every song on ‘STD’ still stands up today.”

Reissue highlights include Belladonna’s 1984 demo recording of “Medusa,” nine rhythm tracks from the same era showcasing Anthrax in their rawest form and songs from Anthrax’s first appearance in Japan at Tokyo’s Sun Plaza in 1987. Anthrax’s lineup on Spreading the Disease also included guitarists Dan Spitz and Scott Ian.

Anthrax, ‘Spreading the Disease: 30th Anniversary Edition’ Track Listing
Disc One
“A.I.R.”
“Lone Justice”
“Madhouse”
“S.S.D./Stand or Fall”
“The Enemy”
“Aftershock”
“Armed and Dangerous”
“Medusa”
“Gung-Ho”
“Medusa (Joey Belladonna demo)”

Disc Two
Live at Sun Plaza (Tokyo), 1987
“A.I.R.”
“Metal Thrashing Mad”
“The Enemy”
“Madhouse”
“Howling Furries”
“Armed and Dangerous”
“Gung-Ho”
“Soldiers of Metal”
Rhythm tracks, 1984
“Lone Justice”
“Gung-Ho”
“Metal Thrashing Mad”
“Raise Hell”
“Stand or Fall”
“Aftershock”
“Armed and Dangerous”
“Madhouse”
“The Enemy”