"Madhouse" is a song by American

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, released in 1985 on

Megaforce Records Megaforce Records is an American independent record label founded in 1982 by Jon Zazula and his wife Marsha Zazula to release the first works of Metallica, and devoted primarily to hard rock and heavy metal. It has offices in New York City (whe ...

and Island Records. The song is about going insane.

Background

"Madhouse" was released as the only single and third track from the group's second full album, ''

Spreading the Disease ''Spreading the Disease'' is the second studio album by the American heavy metal band Anthrax, released on October 30, 1985 by Megaforce Records and Island Records. It was the band's first album to feature vocalist Joey Belladonna and bassist ...

''. 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 "God Save the King" is the national and/or royal anthem of the United Kingdom, most of the Commonwealth realms, their territories, and the British Crown Dependencies. The author of the tune is unknown and it may originate in plainchant, bu ...

Music video

A music video was produced, which features the band performing in an insane

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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 was included in the 2006 rhythm game ''

Guitar Hero II ''Guitar Hero II'' is a music rhythm video game developed by Harmonix and published by RedOctane for the PlayStation 2 and Activision for the Xbox 360. It is the second main installment in the ''Guitar Hero'' series and is the sequel to 2005 ...

''. *This song was featured in an episode of the MTV series ''

Nitro Circus ''Nitro Circus'' is an "action sport collective" led by Travis Pastrana, featuring his friends and him traveling around the world riding dirtbikes, BASE jumping, and performing stunts. Co-founded in 2003 by Pastrana, Nitro Circus has become a m ...

''. *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 played the song live in their set in 1986-88 * 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 Joey Belladonna (born Joseph Bellardini; October 13, 1960) is an American singer, best known as the vocalist for thrash metal band Anthrax. He is also the vocalist and drummer of the cover band Chief Big Way. Belladonna has six Grammy Award no ...

– lead vocals *

Dan Spitz Daniel Alan Spitz (born January 28, 1963) is an American musician best known for his work as the lead guitarist of the thrash metal band Anthrax from 1983 to 1995 and from 2005 to 2008. Spitz also founded the Christian music group Red Lamb, whi ...

– lead guitar, backing vocals *

Scott Ian Scott Ian (born Scott Ian Rosenfeld, December 31, 1963) is an American musician, best known as the rhythm guitarist and co-founder of the thrash metal band Anthrax. Ian is the guitarist and a founding member of the crossover thrash band Stormtroo ...

– rhythm guitar, backing vocals *

Frank Bello Frank Bello (born July 9, 1965) is an American musician who plays bass for the thrash metal band Anthrax. Early life Bello is the nephew of Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante. He had a younger brother Anthony, who was murdered in the Bronx, New Yo ...

– bass, backing vocals *

Charlie Benante Charles Lee Benante (born November 27, 1962) is an American musician best known as the drummer for thrash metal band Anthrax, and crossover thrash band Stormtroopers of Death. Alongside rhythm guitarist and band leader Scott Ian, Benante has co ...

– drums

References

{{authority control 1985 songs Anthrax (American band) songs Songs written by Joey Belladonna Songs written by Dan Spitz Songs written by Scott Ian Songs written by Frank Bello Songs written by Charlie Benante Megaforce Records singles Island Records singles