Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981 … Read Full Bio ↴Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981 by rhythm guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker. The group is considered one of the leaders of the thrash metal scene from the 1980s and is part of the "Big Four" of the genre, along with Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer. They were also one of the first thrash metal bands (along with Overkill and Nuclear Assault) to emerge from the East Coast. The band has released 11 studio albums, several other albums, and 26 singles, including collaborating on a single with American hip hop group Public Enemy. According to Nielsen SoundScan, Anthrax sold 2.5 million records in the United States from 1991 to 2004, with worldwide sales of 10 million. Four of the band's studio albums have also achieved gold certifications by the RIAA, including their third full-length record Among the Living (1987), which cemented Anthrax's reputation as one of the most successful thrash metal bands.

Anthrax's lineup has changed numerous times over their career, leaving Ian as the only constant member of the band. The band has had a revolving cast of singers and lead guitarists, including Neil Turbin, John Bush, Dan Spitz and Rob Caggiano. Since 2013, the band has consisted of Ian, drummer Charlie Benante, bassist Frank Bello, vocalist Joey Belladonna and lead guitarist Jonathan Donais. Ian and Benante (who replaced one-time drummer Greg D'Angelo in 1983) are the only two members to appear on every album, while Bello has been a member of Anthrax since 1984, replacing original bassist Dan Lilker. After two stints in Anthrax, from 1984 to 1992 and again from 2005 to 2007, Belladonna returned to the band in 2010.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthrax_(American_band)

Studio albums
Fistful of Metal (1984)
Spreading the Disease (1985)
Among the Living (1987)
State of Euphoria (1988)
Persistence of Time (1990)
Sound of White Noise (1993)
Stomp 442 (1995)
Volume 8: The Threat Is Real (1998)
We've Come for You All (2003)
Worship Music (2011)
For All Kings (2016)

Born Again Idiot
Anthrax Lyrics

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Why do I explain myself when everyone's
An idiot but me
I think some people need
Killing for stupidity and I'll be born again
Kicking and screaming
And dragged back into a life
Like Ten pounds in a nine pound bag
Still I come back to give you something

That you never had.
Idiot rules
I never fight I only win
And I don't make em
I never bend I only break them
Finish my smoke, down my drink, wipe my mouth
And I just walk away
What's the chance of finding something
Real and make it last
For that I'd carry all my bags and leave
Them in the past
Because I spend my life fixing mistakes
That left me scarred
And when I stand and meet my maker
I'll be born again hard

Don't judge me by my sins

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Anthrax's song Born Again Idiot explore the idea of individualism and superiority complex in society. The singer questions the need to explain oneself to others when no one seems to be as smart as they are, labeling everyone else as an idiot. The singer then suggests that some people need to be killed because of their stupidity. The idea of being "born again" in this context means to come back with a new attitude or approach, and to not be afraid to make mistakes. The singer claims to live life without fighting anyone, only winning, and not bending to anyone's will but their own. The last lines of the song suggest that the singer is not ashamed of their sins, and they will stand proudly before their maker when the time comes.

Line by Line Meaning

Why do I explain myself when everyone's
Why bother explaining myself since everyone else is dumb?

An idiot but me
Only I am capable of intelligence

I think some people need
Some individuals require a lethal lesson

Killing for stupidity and I'll be born again
If I take out those ignorant, I'll feel reborn

Kicking and screaming
I may protest, but I'll return

And dragged back into a life
Forced into it, like 10 pounds in a 9 pound bag

Like Ten pounds in a nine pound bag
Squeezed like an overstuffed weight in a tiny space

Still I come back to give you something
But I will return to give something new

That you never had.
What you weren't ready for previously

Idiot rules
The mindless often win, but I won't ever fight

I never fight I only win
No physical confrontation required to emerge victorious

And I don't make em
I don't craft the rules, but I obey them only if necessary

I never bend I only break them
I don't compromise, but I'll break if needed

Finish my smoke, down my drink, wipe my mouth
A casual exit from a situation that doesn't call for a response

And I just walk away
I leave, unaffected and unbothered

What's the chance of finding something
Is there any hope of discovering

Real and make it last
Genuine love that lasts forever

For that I'd carry all my bags and leave
I'd drop old issues and goals

Them in the past
So they won't impede me

Because I spend my life fixing mistakes
I live to correct my previous errors

That left me scarred
Those errors have left me emotionally wounded

And when I stand and meet my maker
When it's time to face judgement

I'll be born again hard
I'll emerge as a harder, stronger version of myself

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLIE L. BENANTE, FRANK JOSEPH BELLO, JOHN ROBERT BUSH, SCOTT IAN ROSENFELD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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