Anthrax to me is an awful lot. I've been listening since about 1989 with I'm the man the first thing I ever heard. Copied that EP from this other dorky kid I was in band with who thought he was always better than me. Whatever. I adopted Anthrax as "my" band. Everyone else loved Metallica's black album, or Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Not this kid. I was still banging away to Anthrax and Persistence of Time, or Iron Maiden. In my circle I was the Anthrax fan. it was different, and groundbreaking. My sisters and my parents, ask them to this day and they all know the name Anthrax is my favorite band.
I got SOWN right out of high school. Loved it too. Wore that out. Took Anthrax and my other tapes to Saudi Arabia with me. All those poor bastards had to listen to before I showed up was the Gin Blossoms. Threw that shit right out the window on the highway and gave them Anthrax, Metallica, Life of Agony and other bands. Got home in early November 95, back all busted up, and picked up Stomp 442. Loved it. Still do. Got the Black Lodge Maxi Single. loved that as well. Anthrax to me was the music of my life. All the crap I went through, the music was there to keep me from doing something really stupid. All the times I got bullied, insulted, picked on, I could turn to the music to get the anger and frustration out without harm to myself or anyone else. Anthrax has always been an outlet, and will be well into the future. I share my love of metal and rock with my kids. My second son, he gets it. He loves it. Mom's Christian music is okay, but he loves to bang his head to Anthrax and Iron Maiden. My daughter she loves AC/DC, especially Whole Lotta Rosie and Anthrax too. My oldest son adopted "Poison my Eyes as his own". My 5 year old knows Anthrax as "Dad's kick butt music". Anthrax has been in my ears through all sorts of times in my life. From long days of cutting down trees to keep our little shack warm, to the long commutes in the car I used to endure. Cleaning the house to Anthrax made it smell and look that much better.
Call me what you want, but the guys no matter who played what instrument have been there for me since 1989. For that I say thank you. And you bet your ass I will be the first guy in my town with the first copy of Worship Music, rocking into the next decade.