Anthrax was founded in 1981 by Danny Lilker and Scott Ian. They released their first full length album, Fistful of Metal, in 1983 after numerous early lineup changes with Ian and Dan Spitz on guitar(s), Charlie Benante on drums and Niel Turban providing the vocals.

They were one of the first thrash bands to mix punk and speed metal and eventually rap. Soon after, a side project called S.O.D. was formed by Scott Ian, Dan Lilker, Charlie Benante and Billy Milano.

Anthrax official site