"Fistful of Metal" is the debut album by New York's premier thrash band, Anthrax. It was released in 1984 on Megaforce Records and produced by the band with Carl Canedy. The line-up for the album was Neil Turbin (vocals), Dan Spitz (guitar), Scott Ian (guitar), Danny Lilker (bass) and Charlie Benante (drums). This was the only Anthrax album to feature Turbin and Lilker. The first ever album from one of thrash metal's pioneer bands was unleashed to the public in January 1984, and with that cemented Anthrax's place as one of the 'Big 4' alongside Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth. Firstly, while this is a good Anthrax album, it's not as ...  Read the complete review

Forget the daft title and rubbish cover, Anthrax's debut album is one of the classics of American thrash metal and one of the best albums this band would ever release, certainly far superior to the blander and more commercial approach taken with 'Spreading the Disease.' Neil Turbin puts in a fantastically energetic and screeching vocal performance is a little reminiscent of the prepubescent James Hetfield of early Metallica releases, but is able reach the high notes with the skill of the best heavy metal singers. Dan Spitz and Scott Ian define themselves as the strongest feature of the band, rotating between maintenance of basic riffs and maniacal, wildly tangential ...  Read the complete review