DiscoverRiffology: Iconic Rock Albums PodcastRIFF064 - Anthrax - Sound of White Noise
RIFF064 - Anthrax - Sound of White Noise

RIFF064 - Anthrax - Sound of White Noise

Update: 2025-09-08
Share

Description

Anthrax pivot hard into the ’90s on Sound of White Noise—first with John Bush, last with Dan Spitz—and somehow make it feel inevitable rather than mid-life crisis. We dig into why the songs land (drier drums, thicker guitars) and how a label switch put a new sheen on the chaos. Along the way: Dan Spitz’s surprise second act as a master watchmaker and a brief “It’s-a-me Mario” detour while trying to say “Badalamenti” like adults.


Timestamps



  • 00:00:00 — Cold open: the “journey into sound” sting.

  • 00:09:56 — Joey out, John Bush in; grungier, growlier vocal shift.

  • 00:10:43 — Switch from Island to Elektra; Dave Jordan connection.

  • 00:18:22 — Only flagged as the big single.

  • 00:18:26 — Production chat: dry drums; darker ’90s tone.

  • 00:50:54 — First with John Bush; last with Dan Spitz.

  • 00:51:26 — Dan Spitz leaves to become a master watchmaker (!).

  • 00:56:44 — Black Lodge co-written with Angelo Badalamenti; Twin Peaks nod.

  • 00:56:12 — “It’s-a-me Mario” pronunciation detour (Badalamenti).

  • 01:04:52 — “Biscuits in that snare”—a brief St. Anger tangent.

  • 01:06:31 — Only hailed as a key Anthrax single.

  • 01:19:30 — Wrap-up and polite plea to like/subscribe.


Credits



  • Released 25 May 1993 on Elektra (band’s first on the label).

  • Line-up shift: first with John Bush, last with Dan Spitz.

  • Producer: Dave Jordan (linked here with Jane’s Addiction, Alice in Chains).

  • Singles: Only; Black Lodge (called out as a big single).

  • Black Lodge co-written with Angelo Badalamenti; explicit Twin Peaks reference.

  • Peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard 200.


Listen & follow


Comments 
00:00
00:00
1.0x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

RIFF064 - Anthrax - Sound of White Noise

RIFF064 - Anthrax - Sound of White Noise