As a member of the "Big 4" of thrash, Anthrax go way back with Slayer. When we interviewed the former band's drummer Charlie Benante for our massive oral history of the four pioneering groups, their intertwined histories and their momentous shows together in 2010 and 2011, we had to ask him to pick his favorite song by the latter. He did not hesitate in his answer. See his selection and comments below.
"At Dawn They Sleep"
I have to say "At Dawn They Sleep" [off 1985's Hell Awaits]. I just love everything about the song. The way it kind of creeps throughout the song and just its relentless pounding. It's just great. We just kind of joke about the sound of that record, the amount of fucking reverb. It sounds like it was recorded in a cave down in hell, and they just threw mics up and they recorded it. Of course, people would think I would pick something from Reign in Blood, which I love that record, too, but that one's great.
