“炭疽”乐队1981年6月成立于纽约。在80年代的速度／鞭笞金 属（Speed/Thrash Metal）浪潮中，“炭疽”乐队是在过去的5年里 坚持并适应着摇滚乐坛这一疯狂时尚的为数不多的几支乐队之一。他们将硬核朋克的速度、狂暴与重金属的卓越的吉他技法和演唱结合在 一起，以其早期专辑参与创立了重金属音乐的一个分支。与METALLICA 或MEGADETH不同的是，他们具有一种良好的意识，可以用幽默和现实主义来调节常常过于严肃紧张的音乐。

Anthrax's lineup had not yet solidified when they recorded their debut album, and neither had their style. Fans of the group's peak-period material are likely to find Fistful of Metal off-putting, as the band sounds more like a Judas Priest knockoff with rather silly, stereotypical heavy metal lyrics than the thrash innovators they would become. Bassist Dan Lilker, who subsequently left to form Nuclear Assault, is present for this album, while vocalist Joey Belladonna is not.