Icon

Photographers: B.C. Kagan; Ken Collins .
With just 11 tracks and covering five albums, Icon offers listeners an ultra-compact look at thrash masters Anthrax. While this might seem short, the compressed track list provides something of a crash course on perhaps the most accessible band of thrash metal's legendary "big four." Featuring classic tracks like "Madhouse," "I Am the Law," and their crossover collaboration with Public Enemy, "Bring the Noise," the compilation touches on all of the high points of the band's early days. This kind of focused and tight look at Anthrax's catalog makes for a great introduction to the band, and anyone looking to test the thrash waters would do well to check out Icon. ~ Gregory Heaney