Stooge Volume 8 serves as my first proper introduction to Anthrax. In fact, it was one of the first metal albums I’d spent my own money on. I’d heard their cover of the Beastie Boy’s “Looking Down The Barrel of a Gun” of the Beavis and Butthead Experience, and expected more of the same. I didn’t get anything that remotely resembled that, but I was far from disappointed.

Much of the material on here is undeniably heavy and hard-hitting. “Crush”, “Killing Box” (featuring Pantera’s Phil Anselmo on backing vocals), “P & V”, “Born Again Idiot”, and “Hog Tied” all are among the more crushing songs on the album. There are also a great number of more accessible and melodic songs that are just as powerful. Songs “Catharsis”, “Inside Out”, “Harms Way”, and “Stealing From a Thief”, while still considerably heavy, fall into this category. Hidden track “Pieces” is a touching ballad sung by Frank Bello and written in memory of his brother, and was a nice surprise the first time I heard it.

There are a couple of songs on here that are more on the novelty side. The tracks “604” and “Cupajoe” channel a bit of hardcore attitude in these minimal sound blasts, containing the humor and energy that side-project S.O.D. are known for. “Toast To The Extras” is even more uncharacteristic of the band with its country rock leanings. A few oddball tracks, but they have their charm.

My sentimental attachment to this album may have me overvaluing it in some people’s eyes, but this album is certainly one of the more overlooked albums in Anthrax’s discography and is rather enjoyable.