Genius. Pure genius. Way before
Rage Against the Machine, and before their infamous collaboration with
Public Enemy,
Anthrax take the credit -- or blame -- for being the pioneers of merging rap and metal. Released in 1987, their now-classic
I'm the Man is a funny tribute/parody/attempt at hip-hop that is not only pulled off successfully, but it's also the first release that showcases
Anthrax's sense of humor -- the latter of which was also a first for the genre of speed metal. There are also three live tracks -- one of which is the title track -- as well as a "moshable" version of
Black Sabbath's "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" -- all of which are great but will probably be overlooked. Has it been mentioned that this EP is genius? ~ Mike DaRonco