Madhouse (song)

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"Madhouse"
Single by Anthrax
from the album Spreading the Disease
Released	October 7, 1985
Recorded	1985
Genre	Thrash metal[1]
Length	4:19
Label	Megaforce Island
Songwriter(s)	Joey Belladonna Dan Spitz Scott Ian Frank Bello Charlie Benante
Producer(s)	Carl Canedy Anthrax
Anthrax singles chronology
"Soldiers of Metal" (1984) "Madhouse" (1985) "Armed and Dangerous" (1986)

"Madhouse" is a song by the American thrash metal band Anthrax. It was released in 1985 on Megaforce Records and Island Records. The song is about going insane.^[2]

Background[]

"Madhouse" was released as the only single and third track from the group's second full album, Spreading the Disease. The song is written in an up-tempo time signature, with heavy distorted guitar riffs.

It has become a staple of live concerts, and has also appeared on Anthrax's "best of" album, Anthrology: No Hit Wonders (1985–1991). In 2009, the track was named the 46th best hard rock song of all time by VH1.

The 12" vinyl features a cover version of the Sex Pistols song "God Save the Queen".

Music video[]

A music video was produced, which features the band performing in an insane asylum with several mental patients moving along to the tune.

Appearances[]

• This song is featured in the 2002 video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. It is featured on the in-game radio station "V-Rock".
• A cover version of this song is was included in the 2006 rhythm game Guitar Hero II.
• This song was featured in an episode of the MTV series Nitro Circus.
• A live version of this song was available as downloadable content for the Rock Band series of rhythm games.

Covers[]

• The heavy metal band Pantera released a live cover of the song in 1987.
• Canadian thrash metal band Mortillery included a cover of the song as a bonus track on their 2013 album Origin of Extinction.

Personnel[]

• Joey Belladonna – lead vocals
• Dan Spitz – lead guitar, backing vocals
• Scott Ian – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
• Frank Bello – bass, backing vocals
• Charlie Benante – drums

References[]

External links[]

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics