"I Am the Law" is a single by

thrash metal Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and often fast tempo.Kahn-Harris, Keith, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'', pp. 2–3, 9. Oxford: Berg, 2007, . ...

band

Anthrax Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium ''Bacillus anthracis''. It can occur in four forms: skin, lungs, intestinal, and injection. Symptom onset occurs between one day and more than two months after the infection is contracted. The sk ...

, from the album, ''

Among the Living ''Among the Living'' is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax. It was released on March 16, 1987, by Megaforce Records in the US and by Island Records in the rest of the world. The album is dedicated to Cliff Burton of ...

''. It is one of Anthrax's most famous songs, appearing on their best-of albums: ''

Return of the Killer A's ''Return of the Killer A's'' is a compilation / best of album by American heavy metal band Anthrax, released in 1999. The cover of "Ball of Confusion" features Anthrax's first new recording with former lead singer Joey Belladonna since 1991, a ...

'', '' Madhouse: The Very Best of Anthrax'' and '' Anthrology: No Hit Wonders (1985–1991)''. The song is about the '' 2000 AD'' character ''

Judge Dredd Judge Joseph Dredd is a fictional character created by writer John Wagner and artist Carlos Ezquerra. He first appeared in the second issue of ''2000 AD (comics), 2000 AD'' (1977), which is a British weekly anthology Comic book, comic. He is the ...

'' and includes references to many of the character's storylines up until 1987.

Single

"I Am the Law" was released in

12-inch single The twelve-inch single (often written as 12-inch or 12″) is a type of vinyl ( polyvinyl chloride or PVC) gramophone record that has wider groove spacing and shorter playing time with a 'single' or a few related sound tracks on each surfac ...

format in 1987, with catalog ID 12IS316 from Island Records. Some versions came with a promo poster. It was also the first single for the album, displaying

's badge with band's logo and a

US Flag The national flag of the United States of America, often referred to as the ''American flag'' or the ''U.S. flag'', consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the ca ...

in the background. ''Track Listing''
''Side A'' *1. I Am the Law (04:05) ''Side B'' *2. I'm the Man (03:04) *3. Bud E. Luvbomb and Satan's Lounge Band (02:40) Also issued as a 7" picture disc with only two tracks: *1. I Am the Law (04:13) *2. Bud E. Luvbomb and Satan's Lounge Band (02:47) There is also a Limited Edition Coloured Vinyl with following track list: *1. I Am the Law (live) *2. Bud E. Luvbomb & Satan's Lounge Band *3. Madhouse (live) Live tracks recorded at the

Odeon Odeon may refer to: Ancient Greek and Roman buildings * Odeon (building), ancient Greek and Roman buildings built for singing exercises, musical shows and poetry competitions * Odeon of Agrippa, Athens * Odeon of Athens * Odeon of Domitian, Rome ...

, England.

Personnel

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

Charts

References

{{authority control 1987 singles Anthrax (American band) songs 1987 songs Songs written by Scott Ian Songs written by Dan Spitz Songs written by Frank Bello Songs written by Charlie Benante Island Records singles Songs written by Joey Belladonna Songs about fictional male characters