Anthrax Live: The Island Years

This prosaically titled live album was mostly recorded at a single concert on Oct. 19, 1991, at Irvine Meadows in Orange County, Calif. (The final four songs were recorded live at New York's Electric Lady Studio at the start of 1992.) Coming off a triumphant run of popular thrash metal masterpieces, Anthrax were just starting to uncover the new forms of hostility that would guide their music in the '90s. Thus, Anthrax Live blends the best of the old band with the best of the new. On this live recording, Anthrax finally found the massive sound that had long eluded them in the studio. In “Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.),” “A.I.R.,” and “Keep It in the Family,” every instrument is pushed to the forefront of the mix. Even the band’s perennial live staple “Caught in a Mosh” seems like a different song in this setting, as the tinny sonics of hardcore punk give way to the tectonic rumblings of blues metal. The set climaxes with an epochal performance of “Bring the Noise,” featuring Public Enemy. It might be the one rap/rock collaboration that doesn’t sound in any way forced or awkward, as Chuck D.’s caustic sermonizing is perfectly matched to Anthrax's unholy roar.