Sod

Aka Stormtroopers Of Death, this band initially came into existence as a one-off side project for Anthrax musicians Scott Ian (b. Scott Rosenfeld, 31 December 1963, Queens, New York City, New York, USA; guitar) and Charlie Benante (b. 26 November 1962, the Bronx, New York City, New York, USA; drums). Taking time out during the recording of Anthrax’s Spreading The Disease in 1985, they asked Nuclear Assault bass player Dan Lilker (b. 18 October 1964, USA, originally a member of Anthrax) and roadie Billy Milano (vocals, ex-Psychos) to join them, to make use of three days’ free studio time. The result was Speak English Or Die, a manic fusion of thrash metal and hardcore styles that had both humour and considerable crossover appeal. Milano went on to form M.O.D., using exactly the same musical blueprint (indeed, some of Scott Ian’s S.O.D. lyrics would be re-used in this project). Live At Budokan documents the band’s seventh-year reunion concert. Sporadic reunions have continued to occur over recent years, the most concrete one resulting in 1999’s Bigger Than The Devil. ~ Rovi