Anthrax - 1988 - State of euphoria

Released 19 september 1988

Hmmm… something is just a bit off here.  
I can’t quite put my finger on it.  
1988’s follow up to the great Among The Living (1987) does not match its predecessor in terms of re-playability.  
The pieces were certainly in place — tons of riffs, good singing, and killer drumming.  
This was still prime Anthrax.  
But the ever-elusive “it” factor seems to be absent from State Of Euphoria.  
By the band’s own admission the album was a disappointment.  
Anthrax rushed to complete the album before venturing out on the Monsters Of Rock tour.  
Maybe that is the reason why this very solid album isn’t a great album (by Anthrax’s high standards).  
The only tangible complaint I have is some of the songs drag on.  
The most succinct track also happens to be my favorite, Antisocial.  
Perhaps because it was a cover, the band didn’t over-think themselves too much on Antisocial and just let it rip.

"Antisocial" is a cover from the French Hard Rock band TRUST.
Original version available on the LP "Repression" out in 1980.