Spreading the Disease Drum Setup: Charlie Benante's Anthrax Debut Gear (1985) | MetalForge

Frequently Asked Questions

What drum kit did Charlie Benante use on Spreading the Disease?

Charlie Benante used a Tama Artstar kit on Spreading the Disease (1985). The setup included dual 22" x 16" bass drums, three rack toms (10", 12", 13"), and a 16" floor tom, all with birch shells. This was Benante's first full album as a Tama endorser, establishing the kit brand and configuration he would use throughout the classic Anthrax era. Spreading the Disease is also the first Anthrax album with the classic lineup featuring Joey Belladonna on vocals.

What was the first Anthrax album with Charlie Benante?

Charlie Benante has been a founding member of Anthrax since 1983 and played on every studio album. Fistful of Metal (1984) was his first recording, but Spreading the Disease (1985) is the first Anthrax album with the classic lineup featuring Joey Belladonna on vocals. It is widely considered the debut of the definitive Anthrax sound and is where Benante's technical innovations — double-bass patterns, blast beats, compositional fills — were first documented in their fully realised form.

What cymbals did Charlie Benante use on Spreading the Disease?

Charlie Benante used Paiste cymbals on Spreading the Disease, combining the 2002 and RUDE series. The setup included Paiste 2002 14" Sound Edge hi-hats, 16" and 18" 2002 Medium Crashes, a RUDE 18" Crash/Ride for the most aggressive playing, a 2002 22" Heavy Ride, and a 2002 18" China. He would continue using Paiste through Among the Living (1987) before switching to Sabian for State of Euphoria (1988).

What pedals did Charlie Benante use on Spreading the Disease?

Charlie Benante used Tama HP35 Camco chain-drive pedals on Spreading the Disease — the same pedals he had started using in 1984 and would continue to use for 26 years until Tama discontinued the line in 2010. The Camco's direct, responsive chain-drive feel was the mechanical foundation of Benante's pioneering sustained double-bass technique. Spreading the Disease is likely the first full Anthrax album recorded with these legendary pedals.

Who produced Spreading the Disease and where was it recorded?

Spreading the Disease was produced by Carl Canedy — drummer of The Rods — and recorded at Pyramid Sound Studios in Ithaca, New York in 1985. Canedy brought a drummer's understanding of heavy music to the sessions and worked to capture the physical presence of Benante's kit in a tight, close-miked production that suited the album's aggressive energy. The result was a brighter, drier drum sound than Eddie Kramer's ambient approach on the subsequent Among the Living.

How does Spreading the Disease fit in Charlie Benante's drum setup arc?

Spreading the Disease is the opening chapter of Charlie Benante's classic-era gear arc. It documents his first full album on Tama Artstar drums and HP35 Camco pedals, his early Paiste 2002/RUDE cymbal setup, and the nascent form of the double-bass and blast-beat techniques that would be fully refined on Among the Living (1987) and Persistence of Time (1990). For the next chapter in his gear evolution, see the Among the Living drum setup breakdown.