Anthrax

Like a lot of older metal bands, Anthrax plodded along after its late-’80s popularity peak with a rotating cast of members. The band split with singer Joey Belladonna in 1992, but continued releasing records on smaller and smaller labels. Its 2006 reunion tour put the original lineup (Belladonna, Frankie Bello, Charlie Benante, Scott Ian, and Danny Spitz) back together in headlining mode for the first time in more than 10 years. The brand-new Worship Music—Anthrax’s first album in eight years, and its first with Joey Belladonna since 1990’s classic Persistence Of Time—has garnered surprising critical acclaim, and even nabbed a No. 12 spot on the Billboard 200—the band’s strongest showing in nearly 20 years.

Updated 11/09/2011