Step into the gritty, real-world experience of thrash metal legends on the road.
The Song
"Belly Of The Beast" is a powerful and politically charged track by the thrash metal band Anthrax. Released in 1990 as a single from their fifth studio album, Persistence Of Time, the song delves into the horrific subject of the Holocaust, directly confronting the atrocities committed by the Nazis during World War II. Lyrically, it tackles themes of accountability and the nature of evil, questioning how individuals could carry out such heinous acts by "only doing as they were told." The song seamlessly follows the album's preceding instrumental track, "Intro To Reality," which features dialogue from a 1961 Twilight Zone episode, further setting the grim tone.
The Artist
Anthrax emerged from New York City in 1981, quickly establishing themselves as one of the "Big Four" of thrash metal, alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth. Known for their blend of aggressive thrash rhythms, catchy riffs, and often socially conscious or pop-culture-infused lyrics, Anthrax carved a unique niche in the metal scene. The lineup for Persistence Of Time featured vocalist Joey Belladonna, guitarists Scott Ian and Dan Spitz, bassist Frank Bello, and drummer Charlie Benante. This period marked a peak for the band, as they were headlining theaters and opening for major acts like Iron Maiden.
Chart Performance
While "Belly Of The Beast" is a fan favorite and a significant track in Anthrax's discography, it did not achieve significant chart success as a standalone single in major markets like the UK. However, its parent album, Persistence Of Time, was a commercial success for the band, earning them their first Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance. Despite the lack of prominent single chart positions for "Belly Of The Beast", the song remains an integral part of the album's legacy and a testament to Anthrax's impact within the thrash metal genre.
Cultural Impact
"Belly Of The Beast" stands out for its uncompromising lyrical content, bringing the heavy subject of the Holocaust into the mainstream metal consciousness. This willingness to address complex and dark historical events, rather than traditional metal themes of fantasy or rebellion, showcased a maturity and depth often present in Anthrax's songwriting. The song contributes to the album's overall portrayal of a "battleground of emotions and ideas," using war as a metaphor for inner turmoil and societal conflict. The video itself, opting for a raw, behind-the-scenes aesthetic, also had a subtle impact, capturing the authentic experience of a touring thrash band during their ascendancy.
Fun Facts
- The music video for "Belly Of The Beast" is notable for featuring behind-the-scenes footage of Anthrax on tour in Europe.
- The video was directed by Parris Mayhew, who is credited with creating one of the first metal music videos for his band Cro-Mags' 1986 song "We Gotta Know," making him a pioneer of the style.
- Scott Ian reportedly called Parris Mayhew directly, asking him to create a video for Anthrax "just like that" (referring to the Cro-Mags video).
- Persistence Of Time was the last album to feature Joey Belladonna as lead singer until his return to the band in the 2000s.
- The album Persistence Of Time earned Anthrax a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance, which they ultimately lost to Metallica's "Stone Cold Crazy."