A dance-oriented release titled Crazy Sheep briefly appeared on Anthrax’s official Spotify page, credited as a collaboration with a little-known act called El Director. The listing, now greyed out, prompted fans to question its authenticity, with many noting the music bore no resemblance to the thrash veterans’ sound and suspecting AI involvement.
Key Takeaways
- A release called Crazy Sheep appeared on Anthrax’s Spotify page, billed with El Director, before being greyed out.
- The music was EDM-leaning, markedly different from Anthrax’s style, raising authenticity concerns.
- Anthrax have not publicly commented at the time of writing.
- El Director has reportedly issued multiple 2024 albums with artwork that looks stock or AI-generated.
- The incident intensifies scrutiny on Spotify’s handling of AI-driven impersonation and content moderation.
What Happened
Fans spotted Crazy Sheep listed under Anthrax as a seven-track “collaboration” with El Director. On listening, the release sounded like generic EDM rather than the band’s trademark thrash metal, prompting a swift backlash online and questions over whether it was AI-generated “slop” placed to exploit the band’s profile. The entry has since been greyed out on Spotify’s web interface, limiting playback, though no formal explanation has been posted. As of publication, Anthrax have not issued a statement addressing the listing.
Who Is ‘El Director’?
The credited collaborator, El Director, has a small listener base and, according to fan observations, appears to have released an unusually high number of albums in 2024. The covers for these releases resemble stock or AI-produced imagery. While none of this proves authorship methods, the volume and presentation have fuelled suspicion that generative tools are being used to churn out content at speed.
Platform Response And The Stakes
The episode arrives amid wider debate over how streaming services police AI-enabled impersonation and deceptive uploads. Spotify has greyed out the listing but has not publicly commented on this specific case. Earlier controversies and artist protests over AI-related policies have heightened tensions, with critics arguing platforms must move faster to detect, remove and deter misleading or infringing content before it reaches fans.
Why It Matters For Fans And Artists
AI-driven impostures risk confusing listeners, diluting artists’ brands and potentially diverting royalties. They also pollute discovery algorithms with low-quality material, making it harder for genuine releases to surface. For legacy acts with extensive catalogues, the reputational and economic stakes are significant—particularly if bad actors learn to mimic sonic signatures more convincingly.
What To Watch Next
- Whether Spotify permanently removes Crazy Sheep from Anthrax’s page and clarifies the incident.
- Any comment from Anthrax or the credited collaborator.
- Platform-level safeguards such as stricter verification, provenance tagging, audio fingerprinting, and faster takedown pathways for suspected AI impersonations.
