A big let down between their two best (early) albums... Production is thick, sludgy and just plain terrible... even worse than the notoriously sludgy wall of sound that Metallica achieved on "Justice". The songs are mostly long, not very inspired and tend to blend together too easily. Anthrax just sounds kind of tired on this disc.
Which is odd, as it's not that bad, taken song by song. Listen to just "Antisocial", or "Now it's Dark". Really pretty good songs, taken one by one. As an album, however, it just all tends to blur together into a bombastic wall of fuzzy grit... and not in a good way.
Still very worth a listen, and worh owning. Easily picked up used in local used CD exchange type stores... which also shows how well it's stood the test of time for repeated listening over the years. Unless you're huge into Anthrax, or just love that thick, bad 1980's production, it MAY gather dust in your collection.
Anthrax In Top Form Don't listen to the other negative reviews for this album. State Of Euphoria is a classic & next to Among The Living is Anthrax' best work. This is coming from someone who loved 'em from the very beginning (I remember going to an early release party for this album just to pick up the cassette, if that doesn't give you an idea of my age:P). The entire album is filled with pure anthems from "Be All, End All", "Make Me Laugh", "Who Cares Wins", "Sciczm" to pretty much anything else on the entire album. My best guess is that the majority of these negative reviews are coming from pimple popping teeny boppers who a couple months ago were all over Brittany's latest album & probably didn't even know who Anthrax were until it started to become cool to wear their t-shirts again (with their women's jeans; how the hell did that ever take off). Hell these kids testies probably just dropped. Take it from someone who was there from the beginning, whose still there now; this album rocks from beginning to end & deserves to be highlighted among any self respecting metal heads collection. BUY THIS ALBUM!!!
Best Anthrax Release, Don't Listen to the Haters I own all the Belladonna years material (don't bother with the John Bush stuff). I really don't understand why the fans dog this album. This album showed their serious side, but also retained their goofiness. Perfect balance. It boggles my mind that everyone is trashing the song '13'. It's a quick little fun instrumental ditty, but people treat it like Anthrax was going for something big with it. If you're new to Anthrax I'd say pick up this one and Spreading the Disease first. Disease has bad production, though, so I'd say get this one first. Among the Living is far overrated.
Not bad at all Many grief that this is Anthrax's worst album. For the record, I agree but its not so bad that its stands out being total [...]. While most of the songs are average at best, Finale and Be All, End All are very enjoyable. Music of complexity and I like that.
I Love Anthrax I bought State Of Euphoria the night of FuMaR's inevitable last show. When I popped that sucker in, I was instantly hooked by that awesome cello intro on Be All, End All. That celloist, without a doubt, must be on the top 10 list or something, it is that good. Anyway, Anthrax's SOE is my favorite album by them or anybody, and it will remain so for years to come. I will give you a rundown of all 10 amazing tracks right now.
Be All, End All - A catchy tune that will leave you begging for more cello.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind - This song proves that Scott Ian is metals worst, and yet best, rythm guitarist out there.
Make me Laugh - my second least favorite track on SOE
Antisocial - my least favorite track on SOE
Who Cares Wins - this song contains Dan Spitz's best solo in his entire career, I am listening to it right now and it is good.
Now It's Dark - Incredible. This song has an outright addictive shout-a-long chorus and a sort of off tempo verse.
Schism - my favorite song on this Cd and by Anthrax in general. Spitz's breaks out the arsenal on this one.
Misery Loves Company - This song showcases Charlie Benante's best drumming performance in Anthrax. He really knows how to use a china.
13 - A funny little break from the madness until...
Finale - Anthrax's best closer to date. Scott Ian craps it up with the best rythm in the land. Guitar virtuoso Spitz's whips up some big cheese. Charlie pounds his bass drum of doom. Frank Bello thumps his bottom of steel. Joe Belladonna tears his vocal chords of chasmatic chaos. I love Anthrax.
In short - This is Anthrax's BEST album. If anyone wants to talk about how bad it is compared to Among The Living, I dare you to listen to this album twice for everytime you listen to ATL. This is Dan Spitz's and Charlie Benante's best musicianship ever and I love it. Over, finished, gone, done, out.
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