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)

Killing Box
Anthrax Lyrics

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I have always been an experiment in terror
At least I can only kill you once
Standing aloof when I made up my mind
Reaching, why it's better to be blunt
Your walking point through my minefield
You gotta get out
Your on point in my minefield
Forever waiting for a road map

Speak, say something, answer me
I left you in a killing box
Sketchy's not a name you can pin on my
I'll start a revolt with my honesty

A piece of you burns every time you like
So lets start a war, just to see how many die

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Anthrax's Killing Box tell a story of a person who has always been characterized as an "experiment in terror," highlighting the sense of danger that this person embodies. The singer describes themselves as someone who can only kill once, suggesting that while they may be unpredictable and terrifying, they don't necessarily pose an ongoing threat. At the same time, the singer seems to revel in their own fear-inducing power, relishing in the idea that they can inspire fear and terror just by being who they are.

The song also speaks to the idea of confrontation, with the singer encouraging those around them to be more direct and blunt in their interactions. There's a sense of aggression and danger in the lyrics, with references to minefields and war.

Overall, the lyrics to Killing Box paint a picture of a person who is both terrifying and somewhat seductive in their power. The singer seems to derive pleasure from inspiring fear and chaos, while also recognizing the danger they pose to others.

Line by Line Meaning

I have always been an experiment in terror
I have been a source of fear and danger for others, intentionally or unintentionally.

At least I can only kill you once
While I may be a threat, you can take comfort in the fact that I can only cause your demise one time.

Standing aloof when I made up my mind
I remained removed from others while I came to a decision.

Reaching, why it's better to be blunt
I took action to accomplish my goals, believing that being straightforward was more effective.

Your walking point through my minefield
You are navigating something dangerous while on the front lines of my endeavor.

You gotta get out
You must extricate yourself from this situation quickly to avoid further harm.

Your on point in my minefield
You are out in front and taking the most significant risks in this hazardous situation I created.

Forever waiting for a road map
You have no clear direction or guidance and are searching for one.

Speak, say something, answer me
I am demanding a response, an explanation, a defense, etc. from whoever I am addressing.

I left you in a killing box
I caused you to be trapped in a situation with little chance of survival.

Sketchy's not a name you can pin on my
You cannot label me as uncertain, unreliable, or unstable.

I'll start a revolt with my honesty
I will cause a rebellion by speaking candidly and directly about an issue.

A piece of you burns every time you like
You suffer damage or pain every time you express approval or support for something.

So lets start a war, just to see how many die
I propose starting a conflict with the primary goal of seeing how many fatalities will occur.

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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