Anthrax - I'm The Man (1987) (CD Single, Japanese P22D-20051)

This is the album which started it all. While many credit Aerosmith as the creators of the Rap-Metal genre, it's really Anthrax who deserve the crown as they fused Rap with METAL, not Rock. The album starts off with a censored version of the title track. I won't go into detail, since it's really just the true version with a few "boinks" and "blips" over the profanities. From then on…wow. The title track is pure genious and was light years ahead of its time. In addition it was one of the only Thrash tracks to feature any form of humor. The insane set up also adds some flavor to the mix. Joey Belladonna, the singer is on drums while the bassist (Frank Bello), drummer (Charlie Benante) and rhythm guitarist (Scott Ian) are all on vocals, rapping like the Beastie Boys! Lead guitarist Dan Spitz however, doesen't move an inch away from his instrument. The song is absolutley unserious and features the most hilarious lyrics you'll ever find in Metal (it's also inexplicably catchy). It's a riot! When the laughing's all over we get treated to a phenomenal cover of "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath". It's faster, heavier and more moody than the original. Then, the best track of all, the live version of the title track! It's even funnier and goofier than the original (that sounded kind of like the last sentance). The band ad-libs some of the funniest jokes in-between the lyrics (I'd go into detail but that would ruin the song…). After that is an awesome live versionn of their classic, "Caught In A Mosh". Unlike the studio version, Joey's voice is as good as ever on this track and his vocal greatness carries on in the equally excellent live version of "I Am The Law". Why did I rate this 100%, despite the useless, censored version of the title track? Because it was already a 105% without it. Words cannot express how ingenious this EP is. The only drawback, aside from the radio version of the title track is the massive amount of worthless Mallcore acts this record would influence. In fact, because of all the Rap-Metal (I'm using the term "Metal" very loosely) bands of today, this record may be looked at with prejudice from real Metalheads. But if you can forget about all the current Nu-Metal trends and open your mind a bit, you'll have a great time with "I'm The Man". There isn't alot of Thrash here but "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" and the live tracks will probably satisfy most. In short words: get this EP! To think such an essential album started as a mere joke……