Album · Compilation
Return of the Killer A's
Return of the Killer A's is a best-of compilation from the American thrash metal band Anthrax, issued through Beyond on 23 November 1999. It arrived a year after Volume 8: The Threat Is Real, the band's most recent studio album at the time, and gathered highlights from their catalogue.
The real draw for fans is the cover of "Ball of Confusion". It was the first new recording with Joey Belladonna since 1991, and the first with bassist Dan Lilker since 1984. It also puts Belladonna and then-current singer John Bush on the same track. Neither returning member stayed on after the session, though a tour with both vocalists was once planned, which makes the song an intriguing what-if in the Anthrax story.
Return of the Killer A's: tracklist, credits and charts
16 tracks · 1:14:56Tracklist
- 1Bring the NoiseBelladonna, Bello, Benante, D, Ian, Sadler, Shocklee, Spitz3:26
- 2OnlyBello, Benante, Bush, Ian4:56
- 3Potter's Field (Hypo Luxa Hermes Pan remix)Bello, Benante, Bush, Ian4:45
- 4Ball of ConfusionBarrett Strong and Norman Whitfield4:34
- 5CrushBenante, Bush, Ian4:21
- 6Room for One MoreBello, Benante, Bush, Ian4:57
- 7Inside OutBenante, Bush, Ian5:30
- 8Hy Pro Glo (Hy Pro Luxa mix)Bello, Benante, Bush, Ian5:02
- 9FueledBenante, Bush, Ian4:02
- 10Among the LivingBelladonna, Bello, Benante, Ian, Spitz5:16
- 11Got the TimeJoe Jackson2:44
- 12IndiansBelladonna, Bello, Benante, Ian, Spitz5:41
- 13AntisocialBernard Bonvoisin and Norbert Krief4:24
- 14I'm the ManBelladonna, Bello, Benante, Ian, Rooney, Spitz3:02
- 15MadhouseBelladonna, Bello, Benante, Ian, Spitz4:17
- 16I Am the LawBelladonna, Bello, Benante, Ian, Lilker, Bush7:58
- Produced by
- Anthrax, Mark Dodson, Dave Jerden, Paul Crook, The Butcher Bros., Eddie Kramer, Alex Perialas, Carl Canedy, The Butcher Brothers, Paul Crook
- Executive producer
- Jon Zazula, Marsha Zazula
- Recorded at
- A&M Studios, Conway Recording Studios, Cherokee Studios, Eldorado Recording Studios, Krusty's Fun House, Studio 4 Recording, Quadradial Studios, Soundtrack Studios, Pyramid Sound Recording Studios
- Mixed by
- Michael Barbiero, Charlie Benante, Steve Thompson, Dave Jerden, Chris Sheldon, Anthrax, The Butcher Bros., Paul Hamingson, Eddie Kramer
- Mixed at
- Electric Lady Studios, Right Track Recording, Platinum Island Studios, Studio 4 Recording, Compass Point Studios, Pyramid Sound Recording Studios
- Engineered by
- Bryan Carlstrom, Paul Crook, The Butcher Bros., Ian Cross, Dirk Grobelny, Eddie Kramer, Chris Rutherford, Mark Dodson, Alex Perialas
- Label
- Beyond
- Length
- 1:14:56
Line-up
- Anthrax · guest
- Public Enemy · guest
- Frank Bello · vocals, bass guitar, electric bass guitar
- Charlie Benante · vocals, drums (drum set)
- Chuck D · vocals · guest
- Flavor Flav · vocals · guest
- Scott Ian · vocals, guitar, bass guitar, electric guitar
- Dan Spitz · guitar, electric guitar
- John Bush · lead vocals · guest
- Dimebag Darrell · electric guitar · guest
- Joey Belladonna · lead vocals
Peak chart positions
| Chart | Peak |
|---|---|
| UK Rock & Metal Albums · 2000 | 34 |
From MusicBrainz, Wikipedia and Wikidata. Only what the sources record is shown.
18.7
Popularity (0–100, vs the whole vault)
56
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12k
Wikipedia views, last 12 months
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Releases and pressings
How we know the release date wikipedia + musicbrainz + wikidata
| Source | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|
| MusicBrainz | 23 November 1999 | |
| Wikipedia infobox | 23 November 1999 | |
| Wikidata | 23 November 1999 | |
| US release | 23 November 1999 | earliest US date |
4 editions
| Date | Country | Label | Barcode | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | XE | Spitfire Records | 5036369505721 | other |
| 1999 | US | Beyond | 5036369505721 | other |
| 23 November 1999 | US | Beyond Music | 639857806727 | original |
| 10 March 2006 | AT | Euro Trend | 9002986422488 | other |
Cover art sources
coverartarchive · upscaled: major: best source 1000x1000, upscaled to 1500 (x1.50)
| Source | Size | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| coverartarchive ✓ | 1000×1000 | upscaled: major: best source 1000x1000, upscaled to 1500 (x1.50) |
| fanarttv | 1000×1000 | upscaled |