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)

Now It's Dark
Anthrax Lyrics

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In dreams I can rule your life
With me nothing's ever right
Sing for me up on a stage
Keep your mind trapped in a cage
I'm you man I'm what you need
Dance with me but never lead
One deep breath will set me free
Don't you fuckin' look at me

You know that I am...

One fuckin' well dressed man !
Now it's dark, but I can see
Don't you fuckin' look at me
Now it's dark, your gonna be
Exactly what I want to see
Now it's dark, Mommy
Don't you fuckin' look at me

A sensation
Of elation
Intoxication
Now it's dark

A candy coated existence
Underneath is decadence
What was hidden you have found
Made it your own battleground
Pretty, pretty, don't say please
Don't you fuckin' look at me
You know that I am...

One fuckin' well dressed man !
Now it's dark, but I can see
Don't you fuckin' look at me
Now it's dark, your gonna be
Exactly what I want to see
Now it's dark, Mommy
Don't you fuckin' look at me

A sensation
Of elation
Intoxication
Now it's dark

I'll send you a love letter
Straight from the bottom of my heart
You'll be fucked forever
The candy coated clown's done his part

I'm your man I'm what you need
Dance with me but never lead
One deep breath will set me free
Don't you fuckin' look at me
You know that I am...

One fuckin' well dressed man !
Now it's dark, but I can see
Don't you fuckin' look at me
Now it's dark, your gonna be
Exactly what I want to see
Now it's dark, Mommy
Don't you fuckin' look at me

A sensation
Of elation
Intoxication
Now it's dark
Now it's dark

Now it's dark

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Anthrax's song, Now It's Dark, is about controlling another person's life and keeping them trapped in a cage of their own mind. The song's opening line, "In dreams I can rule your life," suggests that the singer has envisioned himself as the controller of this person's life in a dream. The catchy, repetitive melody of the song mimics the mind-control that the singer is attempting to implement on the person he is addressing. The chorus reinforces this theme of control by stating "Don't you f*ckin' look at me" and "Exactly what I want to see". The singer is thrilled at the thought of having the other person completely under his control, even if it comes at the cost of their own identity.

The lyrics paint a picture of a twisted, manipulative relationship in which one person has all the power, and the other is a puppet. The singer is "a well-dressed man" who promises to satisfy all the other person's needs but requires the other person to always dance to his tune. The song pits this one man as the villain and the other person, possibly a woman, as the victim of his controlling behavior. The chorus's repetition and the erratic guitar sounds create the sense of urgency and uncertainty that the victim may feel.

Line by Line Meaning

In dreams I can rule your life
I have the power to control your life in your dreams

With me nothing's ever right
No matter what you do, things will always be wrong with me

Sing for me up on a stage
Perform for me in front of others

Keep your mind trapped in a cage
Keep your thoughts and feelings locked up so I can control them

I'm your man I'm what you need
I am the one you rely on and need

Dance with me but never lead
Follow my lead and dance with me, but never try to take control

One deep breath will set me free
I only need one moment to break free from my restraints

Don't you f***** look at me
Do not make eye contact with me

You know that I am... One f***** well dressed man !
I am confident, in control, and dressed to impress

Now it's dark, but I can see
Even in darkness, I am able to see and maintain control

Your gonna be exactly what I want to see
You will do exactly as I say and meet my expectations

Now it's dark, Mommy
I am referring to someone as 'Mommy' in a twisted and controlling way

A sensation, Of elation, Intoxication, Now it's dark
The feeling of joy and control I experience is like being intoxicated, and now I am in control in the dark

A candy coated existence
A surface-level appearance that is sweet and appealing

Underneath is decadence
Beneath the surface is corruption and immoral behavior

What was hidden you have found
You have discovered my hidden desires and secrets

Made it your own battleground
You are now fighting for control over what you have discovered

Pretty, pretty, don't say please
I am making demands and disregarding politeness or manners

I'll send you a love letter, Straight from the bottom of my heart
I will manipulate you with a seemingly genuine love letter

You'll be f***** forever, The candy coated clown's done his part
You will be forever stuck in my grasp, and my sweet and appealing façade has convinced you to trust me

Now it's dark
I am reiterating that I am now in control and thriving in the darkness

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLIE L. BENANTE, DANIEL ALAN SPITZ, FRANK JOSEPH BELLO, JOSEPH A. BELLARDINI, SCOTT IAN ROSENFELD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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