S.O.D. (1985, 1992, 1997–2002, 2007). Billy Milano (vocals), Scott Ian (guitar),
Dan Lilker (bass), Charlie Benante (drums).

Stormtroopers of Death

S.O.D., or Storm Troopers of Death, were a joke super group featuring Scott Ian on guitar and Charlie Benante on drums from Anthrax, as well as Dan Lilker on bass from Nuclear Assault and former Anthrax roadie Billy Milano on vocals. The group’s typical song was often short and to the point (as in the “Ballad of Ronnie James Dio” and the “Ballad of Jimi Hendrix”), both of which clock in at well under a minute. S.O.D. proved to be surprisingly successful among both metal and punk fans, both of whom could find common ground in the band’s relentless but jokey thrash attack.

Speak English or Die (cover)

The band recorded one album to some success, a follow-up live record, and a less successful follow-up in the late nineties. Milano continued in that vein with several records in his follow-up band M.O.D. that took the Storm Troopers of Death formula to its inevitable and ridiculous extreme. The Live in Budokan album, which was live but not recorded in Budokan, was a good showcase of the band’s material, including a cover of Nirvana’s “Territorial Pissings” that seemed more natural in S.O.D.’s hands than it did when Nirvana played it.

Stormtroopers of Death

Discography: Speak English or Die (Megaforce, 1985); Live at Budokan (Megaforce, 1992); Bigger than the Devil (Nuclear Blast, 1999).