Anthrax
Fistful of
Metal
Release Date - 1984
Megaforce Records
Lineup:
Neil Turbin – vocals
Dan Spitz – lead guitars
Scott “Not Ian” Rosenfield – rhythm guitars
Danny Lilker – bass
Charlie Benante - drums
This is the first look the world got at what would become a
legendary heavy metal band. Their start was similar to their peers in the big
four (Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer, and Metallica), but the huge difference was
that the vocals were much clearer. More actual singing on this album, and the
vocals go just as high as any band with Neil Turbin behind the microphone. From
the start, with "Death Rider" the album is a high-speed assault of
thrash at its best. It does include a quick breather for their cover of the
Alice Cooper classic "I'm Eighteen", which doesn't stray too far off
of the original, but does include elements of its own. Tracks like "Metal
Thrashing Mad", "Soldiers of Metal", and "Howling
Furies" compliment "Death Rider" rather well in making sure that
the album is a solid effort. The common theme on this album though is something
that would become a rather tired theme for extreme forms of music, and that's
the metal theme. As most know, most bands would try to prove how metal they
were more and more as the years would go on, and by now, it's become a very
cheesy and annoying subject to deal with. At the time it wasn't much like that,
but now, because of the actions of others, Anthrax has to suffer because of
this (yeah, like they'll really suffer off of my review which may be read by a
total of 7 people). Also, the high singing of Neil Turbin, while I know it
takes talent to do, it's something else that I laugh at, as it was done to be
scary, but if a ten year old girl came up to me singing about metal subjects, I
have a feeling that I wouldn't be running too fast. Still though, the melodies
and intensity of the majority of the songs on the album are able to do a good
job to combat my negative feelings as far as that goes.
The sound quality on the album is fair. Not extremely raw, but
also not something very polished. This is another album that I really can't say
that the sound quality is better or worse for the album.
Overall, this is an album with solid sound, some great melodies,
and a lot of intensity. Its major shortcomings basically simply come in just
plain flat out being an outdated album, changes that have come with time in
attitudes. Out of 100, this gets a 67.
Track listing
1.
Death Rider
2.
Metal Thrashing Mad
3.
I’m Eighteen
4.
Panic
5.
Subjugator
6.
Soldiers of Metal
7.
Death From Above
8.
Anthrax
9.
Across the River
10. Howling Furies
Armed and
Dangerous
Release Date - 1985
Megaforce Records
Lineup:
Joey Belladonna – vocals
Dan Spitz – lead guitars
Scott Ian – rhythm guitars
Frank Bello – bass
Charlie Benante - drums
This is an EP that was released most likely to ease new vocalist
Joey Belladonna and new bassist (and nephew of drummer Charlie Benante for
those of you who like trivia, but most likely, if you're reading this, you know
that) Frank Bello into the band. It features several new songs, different
versions of past songs, and a cover of the Sex Pistols punk anthem, "God
Save the Queen". All seven tracks are at least solid tracks. Their Sex
Pistols cover, "Armed and Dangerous", "Soldiers of Metal",
"Metal Thrashing Mad", and "Howling Furies" are the best
tracks on there, and I'm not taking anything away from their past albums. While
some of the cheesy themes are still there from 'Fistful of Metal', it's not to
as much of an extent, and therefore, much more bearable these days.
The sound quality is pretty good on this. Not good enough to be
overdone, but it's clearly an album that has been re-released (done October 24,
1995), but it wasn't done so much that they ruined anything that the album had
to it before.
Overall, this is a solid EP. Joey shows that he can fit in well
with what the band has been doing, as he doesn't miss a beat from Neil Turbin.
Frank picks up right where Danny Lilker left off, and all in all, it's a very
well done EP. Out of 100, I give it an 74.
Track listing
1.
Armed and Dangerous
2.
Raise Hell
3.
God Save the Queen
4.
Metal Thrashing Mad (live)
5.
Panic (live)
6.
Soldiers of Metal
7.
Howling Furies
Spreading the
Disease
Release Date - 1985
Polygram Records
Lineup:
Joey Belladonna – vocals
Dan Spitz – lead guitars
Scott Ian – rhythm guitars
Frank Bello – bass
Charlie Benante - drums
Considered by many to be one of the greatest metal albums of all
time. I personally wouldn't go that far, but it's a pretty good album any way
you look at it. My not putting it up as high as others may be due to my dislike
for the track "Medusa", which many people seem to love, but I doubt
that one track would make that much of a difference. Don't let my opinions on
"Medusa" throw you off though, tracks like "AIR",
"Madhouse", and "Armed and Dangerous" help to make this
album among the band's best work, second best of the Joey Belladonna era. This
is another album where every track may not catch you, but there isn't a single
bad song (outside of what I've already mentioned, and it looks like I'm alone
there). The main source of melody on this album has to be from some of the most
catchy guitar riffs that I've ever heard that you can find here. The vocals are
still melodic though; they don't give anything up from previous efforts. The
high vocals are still there, and that forever will be a minor point deduction
from me (in the case of Anthrax, for a few more albums), but overall, Anthrax
continued to improve with this release back in 1985.
The sound quality on this (in my case, a re-release from June
15, 1990) is pretty much the same as the sound quality on 'Armed and
Dangerous', solid, nothing overdone, nothing underdone, just average sound
quality.
Overall, this is a very solid album, to this point, the band's
best work. They continued to improve with this release and showed no signs of
slowing down. Out of 100, this is an 80, even with "Medusa" on it.
Track listing
1.
A.I.R.
2.
Lone Justice
3.
Madhouse
4.
S.S.C./Stand or Fall
5.
The Enemy
6.
Aftershock
7.
Armed and Dangerous
8.
Medusa
9.
Gung-Ho
Among the
Living
Release Date - 1987
Polygram Records
Lineup:
Joey Belladonna – vocals
Dan Spitz – lead guitars
Scott Ian – rhythm guitars
Frank Bello – bass
Charlie Benante - drums
This is easily the best work from their days with Joey
Belladonna. From the start of the album with its title track, the pace is fast,
the riffs are hard hitting, and the music provides a great melody to it. With
themes that range from Stephen King books to comics, to more serious matters, there
is something to think about wherever this album takes you. The first six songs
on this album are arguably the best string of songs that Anthrax has ever put
together ("Among the Living", "Caught in a Mosh", "I
Am the Law", "Efilnikufesin (NFL)", "Skeleton in the
Closet", and "Indians" are an absolute assault on all fronts in
music. The melodies couldn't be better, and they'll go out and pound on you and
won't let up until its over. Even past that string, with what would be the
seventh song, "One World", you get a great song still. This is
another Anthrax album with no really weak tracks on it, just all around good,
solid music that's easy to rock out to.
Sound quality on my copy (rerelease from June 15, 1990) is right
up to par, not quite what the quality seems to be with the two previous
releases, slightly more raw, but that sound is better for the music on these
albums, it gives it that more aggressive feel to it that Anthrax is able to do
so well (while keeping a great sense of humor).
Overall, this is a killer album, yeah, of course the high vocals
will take a few points off, but that's from a near perfect score already. This
is an album, really with very few to no flaws in it. Out of 100, this gets a
91. One of their best!
Track listing
1.
Among the Living
2.
Caught in a Mosh
3.
I Am the Law
4.
Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)
5.
A Skeleton in the Closet
6.
Indians
7.
One World
8.
A.D.I. Horror of it All
9.
Imitation of Life
I'm the Man
Release Date - 1987
Polygram Records
Joey Belladonna – vocals (drums on “I’m the Man”)
Dan Spitz – lead guitars
Scott Ian – rhythm guitars (vocals on “I’m the Man”)
Frank Bello – bass (vocals on “I’m the Man”)
Charlie Benante – drums (vocals on “I’m the Man”)
Another EP from Anthrax. This is their first, and possibly the
first ever collaboration of rap and rock. Sure, Aerosmith also did their
collaboration with Run DMC in 1987, but this case is all Anthrax (they would
team with Public Enemy in 1991 though), and the song was actually written in
1984. The only band to possibly beat them to it would be Faith No More, who
formed in 1982 (and it's not even sure if they were mixing the genres in any by
that time). The song can be seen by many as annoying, but for me, I find it
hilarious and an awful lot of fun to listen to. You get three different versions
of the song "I'm the Man" (censored, uncensored, and live), and you
also get live versions of "Caught in a Mosh" and "I Am the
Law", and if that's not enough, don't worry, you get to hear them perform
their cover of none other than the legendary tune from the legendary Black
Sabbath, "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath". Not a bad deal there at all, six
songs, all fun to listen to at very least (if you have a good sense of humor at
least (which would be defined as my sense of humor)).
Not much to say about the quality of the studio work in this.
Most of the studio work is pretty normal. As for the live quality, it's pretty
good. I couldn't hear any spots where there could be overdubs, which makes me
happy, and the band sounded good on those occasions.
Overall, this is something you listen to more for the humor in
it. Yes, there are moments of great musicianship in it, but the comedy of it
overshadows it by far. Really, it’s just a fun release to listen to. Out of
100, it gets an 82.
Track listing
1.
I’m the Man (censored version)
2.
I’m the Man (uncensored version)
3.
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
4.
I’m the Man (live)
5.
Caught in a Mosh (live)
6.
I Am the Law (live)
State of
Euphoria
Release Date - 1987
Polygram Records
Lineup:
Joey Belladonna – vocals
Dan Spitz – lead guitars
Scott Ian – rhythm guitars
Frank Bello – bass
Charlie Benante - drums
The follow up to the amazing 'Among the Living' and the
hilarious 'I'm the Man', to say the least, was a disappointment. Even members
of Anthrax have said that this is their least favorite release to date. Many of
the songs just don't hit any nerves. There are a couple of good songs on it,
"Make Me Laugh", "Now Its Dark", and "Antisocial"
(a cover of French band Trust) are very good tracks, but they can't do enough
to save an album that just never sounded like it had much inspiration.
"Who Cares Wins" does have good feel to it and is another solid
track, but still, there's just not enough to make this album feel like it has
any feeling of completion to it.
With the lacking feeling in the songs, the sound quality at
least doesn't remove too much from the album, as it's just as the past studio
albums have been from Anthrax.
Overall, this album is a huge disappointment, but it does have
its bright spots. Out of 100, I give this a 58, their worst effort.
Track listing
1.
Be All, End All
2.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
3.
Make Me Laugh
4.
Antisocial
5.
Who Cares Wins
6.
Now It’s Dark
7.
Schism
8.
Misery Loves Company
9.
13
10. Finale
Persistence of
Time
Release Date - August 21, 1990
Polygram Records
Lineup:
Joey Belladonna – vocals
Dan Spitz – lead guitars
Scott Ian – rhythm guitars
Frank Bello – bass
Charlie Benante - drums
A good improvement on their previous release. PoT is their most
commercially successful album. They must've known right away that they'd
released a disappointing album with 'State of Euphoria', because they came back
very well on this album. This would be the band's last studio album with Joey
Belladonna handling the lead vocals (while they still had an EP and live album
coming with him on them). Tracks like "Time", "Keep it in the
Family", "In My World", "Belly of the Beast",
"Got the Time", and "One Man Stands" give the band the
boost they needed. While there are a couple of weak tracks on the album, it's
nowhere near the amount of where they were. The band hammers it out just like
they had before, giving their all, through some sort of inspiration, putting
out just a great album with some incredible melodies and bone crunching riffs
like we should expect from Anthrax.
The sound quality on this is another typical Anthrax studio
album, just solid good sound, nothing overdone, nothing underdone, I've said it
in too many reviews now to repeat it all over again.
Overall, solid sound, and some great songs, the entire album is
pretty good minus a couple of songs that are weaker (but not impossible to sit
through). This was a great comeback for the band. Out of 100, it gets an 83.
Track Listing
1.
Time
2.
Blood
3.
Keep it in the Family
4.
In My World
5.
Gridlock
6.
Intro to Reality
7.
Belly of the Beast
8.
Got the Time
9.
H8 Red
10. One Man Stands
11. Discharge
Attack of the
Killer B's
Release Date - June 25, 1991
Polygram Records
Joey Belladonna – vocals
Dan Spitz – lead guitars
Scott Ian – rhythm guitars (vocals on tracks 2, 4, 7)
Frank Bello – bass (vocals on track 7)
Charlie Benante – drums (vocals on track 7)
Another EP from the boys from Anthrax. This consists of several
unreleased tracks and live tracks (as many do). It starts out with an Anthrax
remake of SOD’s “Milk”, and the sixth track is another SOD cover, “Chromatic
Death”, so as Scott so well puts it, they’re covering songs they actually
wrote. Another track on the album is the Anthrax collaboration with Public
Enemy on “Bring The Noise”, which is a great example of what rap and rock mixed
together can be. “Startin’ Up a Posse” is an excellent and humorous example of
how to do a song against censorship. Showing a side of anger towards the issue
while keeping that great Anthrax sense of humor. “I’m the Man ‘91” is just a
remake of the old “I’m the Man” from the earlier EP, with new beats and quicker
rapping, some different lyrics, so it’s quite a bit different actually, still
humorous though. The final major track on the album is “N.F.B.
(Dallabnikufesin)”. It’s basically a song that makes fun of every love ballad
put out by the hair bands, with the unhappy ending of the girl in the song
getting hit by a truck. Overall, there’s some great songs on this EP, easily
one of the better EPs out there.
The sound quality is nothing to scoff at as far as the studio
tracks go. In fact, according to Scott, Frank uses a 12 string bass on “Milk”
in order to give it that extra edge on the tone, which wouldn’t surprise me
considering that the tone on it does sound pretty cool. The live tracks are
pretty good for the most part, nothing terrible about them at all, solid live
sound, similar to the live tracks on the ‘I’m the Man’ EP.
All in all, this is one of the best EPs to ever be released. At
the time, it was the world’s longest EP as well, clocking in at well over forty
minutes. The sound quality is solid, and there are plenty of great songs to
keep you happy on it. Out of 100, this gets an 84.
Track listing
1.
Milk (Ode to Billy)
2.
Bring the Noise
3.
Keep it in the Family (live)
4.
Startin’ Up a Posse
5.
Protest and Survive
6.
Chromatic Death
7.
I’m the Man ‘91
8.
Parasite
9.
Pipeline
10. Sects
11. Belly of the Beast (live)
12. N.F.B. (Dallabnikufesin)
Sound of White
Noise
Release Date - May 25, 1993
Elektra/Asylum Records
John Bush – vocals
Dan Spitz – lead guitars
Scott Ian – rhythm guitars
Frank Bello – bass
Charlie Benante - drums
After a solid run, Joey Belladonna is out of Anthrax, and
Armored Saint front man, John Bush takes over at lead vocals. A move the band
could not have done without. By this time, most of the band had moved forward
with their sound while Joey still was using that high voice that was really no
longer fit for the times. John Bush brought in a darker tone with his voice,
which is most apparent in the song “Black Lodge”, a slow, dark song, and a
great listen. Some of the songs that really make this album great are “Only”,
“Potter’s Field”, “Room For One More” (Limp Bizkit would later rip off the
opening riff of that song for their song “Break Stuff”), “Hy Pro Glo”, and
“This is Not An Exit”. John Bush really was able to give this band a very
positive push, in the process being one of the most successful at taking over
the lead singer position in a band (as it’s not easy for a band to make that
switch).
The sound quality on this album is just the same as the rest of
their stuff, nothing overdone, but not underdone, yeah, I’m saying it again.
Overall, this is a very good effort from the guys. The addition
of John Bush at lead vocals was a must. Sure, they could’ve replaced Joey with
someone else, but really, John Bush was probably the best choice, the man who
turned down Metallica in the 80’s later joins up with their buddies in Anthrax.
There’s some great songs on this album with a couple of duds. Overall though,
it is one of their better efforts. Out of 100, I give it an 85.
Track listing
1.
Potters Field
2.
Only
3.
Room For One More
4.
Packaged Rebellion
5.
Hy Pro Glo
6.
Invisible
7.
1,000 Points of Hate
8.
Black Lodge
9.
C-11 H-17 N-2 O-2 S Na
10. Burst
11. This is Not an Exit
Live: Island
Years
Release Date - April 5, 1994
Polygram Records
Lineup:
Joey Belladonna – vocals
Dan Spitz – lead guitars
Scott Ian – rhythm guitars
Frank Bello – bass
Charlie Benante - drums
Is Joey back? No, this was actually recorded back in 1991, but
just not released until 1994. This is an excellent live album, showing Anthrax
at their element, their live performance. It starts off with the sound of the
clock from the beginning of the album ‘Persistence of Time’, as it was on that
tour that this was recorded, but then it hurls into “Efilnikufesin (NFL)” and
right from there heads into “A.I.R.”. Other highlights on this include “Caught
in a Mosh”, “Indians”, “Antisocial”, and “Bring the Noise”. Every track on this
is a solid track though. Anthrax is a great live band, and this is a great
example of what they can do, at least as far as the aural aspect is concerned,
viewing them live only adds more on. Still, a great track selection for them for
their first full length live album.
The sound quality on this is just about perfect for a live
album. It’s pretty raw, but there’s some overdubs, not enough to take away any
of the live atmosphere though. The crowd is easily heard throughout the entire
album, and the sound can make you feel almost exactly like you’re there (if
it’s loud enough).
Overall, this is how a live album should be done. It’s raw,
plenty of crowd noise, but still easy to make out. The song selection is
excellent on it, some of the best Anthrax stuff up to the time of recording,
and it’s just overall a great live album. Out of 100, this bad boy gets an 84.
Track listing
1.
(Efilnikufesin) N.F.L.
2.
A.I.R.
3.
Parasite
4.
Keep it in the Family
5.
Caught in a Mosh
6.
Indians
7.
Antisocial
8.
Bring the Noise (with Public Enemy)
9.
I am the Law
10. Metal Thrashing Mad
11. In My World
12. Now It’s Dark
Stomp 442
Release Date - November 7, 1996
Edoya Records
John Bush – vocals
Scott Ian – guitars
Frank Bello – bass
Charlie Benante - drums
In my opinion, this is the best Anthrax album to ever be
released. Dan Spitz is gone now, and it’s not as heavy as many of their
previous releases, but it’s got that dark edge to it that John Bush does so
well, and it has some of the most amazing melodies out there. It’s still a
heavy album, most evident by the first two tracks, “Random Acts of Senseless
Violence” and “Fueled”, two excellent tracks with melody and power to them.
“Nothing” and “American Pompeii” are two tracks that aren’t as heavy, but are among
the best the album has to offer while “Drop the Ball” is a great example of a
song later in the album that has that heaviness to it while still having a very
solid melody and good hook to it. There really isn’t a single track on this
album that is bad. It’s one of the easiest albums out there to sit right
through and listen to every track. Often criticized for going as soft as grunge
(which is an exaggeration) by the diehard metal community, but hey, half of
that community are idiots anyway. It’s still got that heavy factor, but Anthrax
was just able to come up with some great melodies.
The sound quality on this album is very solid. It’s not quite as
high quality as their past efforts, but the extra raw factor only adds to the
experience. It gives it that extra rough-edge sound that gives the album its
charm.
Overall, the songs on this album are the best that Anthrax has
done in a single studio album. The heaviness may not be as strong, but it’s
still there, and anyway, it gave way for something more important, melody, that
is what makes music. Overall, this album gets a 95 out of 100.
Track listing
1.
Random Acts of Senseless Violence
2.
Fueled
3.
King Size
4.
Riding Shotgun
5.
Perpetual Motion
6.
In a Zone
7.
Nothing
8.
American Pompeii
9.
Drop the Ball
10. Tester
11. Bare
Volume 8
Release Date - July 21, 1998
Tommy Boy
Lineup:
John Bush – vocals
Scott Ian – guitars
Frank Bello – bass
Charlie Benante - drums
Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to get a hold of this album
any more, even on the internet. Ignition, the company that released the album
went out, and now, with no distribution for the album, it cannot make its way
to the public. Luckily I was able to get a hold of it before it became so hard
to get, and luckily is the right word here. This is another one of Anthrax’s
best efforts. It opens with the brutal yet melodic song “Crush”. From there it
flies through all sorts of different tracks, from brutal to melodic, many songs
featuring both. Songs like “604” and “Cupajoe” are pretty brutal, but comedic
songs, neither of them even approaching a minute in length. Songs like “Toast
to the Extras” feature a more melodic sound. If you want a great example of
both, “Inside Out” is a great place to go. Also, the hidden song on the album
is a beautiful tribute from bassist Frank Bello to his brother Anthony, who was
shot down not too long before the album was written and recorded. The album is
really able to cover all sorts of genres while remaining very strong. This is one
of the more straight angry albums from Anthrax as well, being that they were
having all sorts of troubles with record labels before this (and unknowingly
were about to have more). Luckily this album was able to get out there, but too
bad it couldn’t stay out there longer.
The sound quality on the album is solid. It’s got a lot of bass
to it in comparison to previous Anthrax albums, and that only gives it more
power than it had before. Everything’s easy to make out, and it’s done in a way
that gives it something to talk about.
Overall, this is another one of their better efforts, and
really, just a great hard rock/metal CD. If you’re not a big fan of Anthrax,
this may be an album that you’ll be able to enjoy. It’s got a little bit of
everything in it. Out of 100, I give it a 91.
Track listing
1.
Crush
2.
Catharsis
3.
Inside Out
4.
P & V
5.
604
6.
Toast to the Extras
7.
Born Again Idiot
8.
Killing Box
9.
Harms Way
10. Hog Tied
11. Big Fat
12. Cupajoe
13. Alpha Male
14. Stealing From a Thief
Connoisseur Coll.
Lineup:
Joey Belladonna – vocals
Dan Spitz – lead guitars
Scott Ian – rhythm guitars
Frank Bello – bass
Charlie Benante - drums
This is a greatest hits collection from their work from
‘Spreading the Disease’ through ‘Attack of the Killer B’s’. The track selection
from this period is very strong on this CD. “A.I.R.”, “Madhouse”, “Caught in a
Mosh”, “I am the Law”, “Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)”, “Indians”, “I’m the Man”,
“Make Me Laugh”, “Antisocial”, “Now Its Dark”, “Keep it in the Family”, “In My
World”, “Belly of the Beast”, “Got the Time”, and “Bring The Noise” are all of
the tracks on the album. Each one of them is very listenable. Although these
tracks are outdated a bit, they’re still fun to listen to and go back to those
days, commercially those were the glory days of Anthrax. The selection on the
album is excellent.
Overall, it’s a great example of the earlier days of Anthrax,
and if you’re looking for something to get to get to know their earlier days,
this is a good pickup. Out of 100, I give this an 83.
Track listing
1.
A.I.R.
2.
Madhouse
3.
Caught in a Mosh
4.
I am the Law
5.
Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)
6.
Indians
7.
I’m the Man
8.
Make Me Laugh
9.
Anti-Social
10. Now It’s Dark
11. Keep it in the Family
12. In My World
13. Belly of the Beast
14. Got the Time
15. Bring the Noise
Return of the
Killer A's
Release Date - November 23, 1999
Beyond Records
Lineup:
John Bush – vocals
Joey Belladonna – vocals
Dan Spitz – lead guitars
Scott Ian – rhythm guitars
Danny Lilker – bass
Frank Bello – bass
Charlie Benante - drums
This is another greatest hits collection, but this covers all of
the Anthrax music up to the date of release. It starts off with the classic
“Bring the Noise” collaboration with Public Enemy, and from there crashes
through songs from both the Bush and Belladonna era, like “Only”, “Potter’s
Field (remix)”, “Ball of Confusion” (a Temptations cover), “Crush”, “Room for
One More”, “Inside Out”, “Hy Pro Glo (remix)”, “Fueled”, “Among the Living”,
“Got the Time”, “Indians”, “Antisocial”, “I’m the Man”, “Madhouse”, and “I am
the Law”. In “Ball of Confusion” the album hits a high point as not only does
original bassist Danny Lilker come back for the song, but both major vocalists
for Anthrax, Joey Belladonna and John Bush sing on the track. Joey covers the higher
parts and John doing the lower parts. It works out great. Every track on the
album really is good. I personally prefer the originals over the two remixes,
but the remixes aren’t bad at all.
Overall, this is a great way to do a greatest hits album. It’s
got the best stuff from both eras from the band. There are a couple of
weaknesses, but there is too much strength for those to even be noticed. Out of
100, I give this an 89.
Track listing
1.
Bring the Noise
2.
Only
3.
Potters Field (Hypo Luxa Hermes Pan Remix)
4.
Ball of Confusion
5.
Crush
6.
Room for One More
7.
Inside Out
8.
Hy Pro Glo (Hy Pro Luxa Mix)
9.
Fueled
10. Among the Living
11. Got the Time
12. Indians
13. Antisocial
14. I’m the Man
15. Madhouse
16. I am the Law
We Have Come
For You All
Release Date - May 6, 2003
Sanctuary Records
Lineup:
John Bush – vocals
Rob Caggiano – lead guitars
Scott Ian – rhythm guitars
Frank Bello – bass
Charlie Benante - drums
It’s fresh off the shelf, and it’s a very good release. Anthrax have
reintroduced themselves into every community one could think of with this new
release. Charlie’s drumming is absolutely brutal, and that’s what’s most
noticed about this album. There are also several guest appearances from the
likes of Dimebag Darrel of Pantera (who also guests on Volume 8) and Roger
Daultry from the Who. On top of that, with this album, Anthrax welcomes their
first new lead guitarist since Dan Spitz quit in the person of Rob Caggiano.
Rob had previously been in the band Boiler Room before the band broke up and he
went to Anthrax. The album as a whole sounds great. There’s some great melodies
in songs like “Safe Home”, “W.C.F.Y.A.”, “Cadillac Rock Box”, “What Doesn’t
Die”, and “Strap it On”. Old school fans may be pleased with the sheer
brutality of tracks like “Black Dahlia”, which is brutal with it’s heavier
guitar riffs, somewhat similar to many black metal outfits from the Scandinavia
region. Overall, the songs on this album are absolutely crushing, great release
after a 5-year wait from the band, volume 9 is good.
The sound quality on this is similar to ‘Volume 8’ in that it’s
got a lower pitch to it. That helps the more brutal elements of the album to
come out better, which is what really comes out best on this album anyway. The
sound is still pretty crisp outside of the bass though.
Overall, this is another great release from Anthrax. If this is
what the future looks like for the band, as long as Sanctuary Records doesn’t
go under any time soon, I think we will be pleased with Anthrax for a long time
to come, because they show no signs of slowing down or anything of the type.
Overall, I give it an 87 out of 100.
Track listing
1.
Contact
2.
What Doesn’t Die
3.
Superhero
4.
Refuse to be Denied
5.
Safe Home
6.
Any Place but Here
7.
Nobody Knows Anything
8.
Strap it On
9.
Black Dahlia
10. Cadillac Rock Box
11. Taking the Music Back
12. Crash
13. Think About an End
14. W.C.F.Y.A.
Release date – April 20, 2004
Sanctuary Records
Lineup:
John Bush – vocals
Rob Caggiano – lead guitars
Scott Ian – rhythm guitars
Frank Bello – bass
Charlie Benante – drums
Anthrax, after over a decade of having John Bush at the lead
vocals spot, have finally released a live album showing what he can do live. In
the early nineties (’92 or ’93) Anthrax realized that the music world was
quickly changing around them, and one of the things that was going out was high
pitched vocalists, and that meant that current lead singer Joey Belladonna had
to go, and coming in to fill the slot was the deeper voiced, but still very
talented lead singer from Armored Saint, John Bush. One of my biggest worries
with this album, actually, since I haven’t had a chance to really ever see
Anthrax in my life, was what John would sound like covering Joey’s parts. What
I got was something totally different from what I was used to, but it wasn’t
anything that disappointed me either. John Bush has a much more soul filled
voice than Joey ever had, at least to me, and it really comes through on every
one of the old Anthrax songs. While he doesn’t contain the range, his voice is
much more real and much heavier than Joey’s voice has ever been to me.
Something I really like about this CD. As a whole, this CD has a pretty good
track selection. There’s a few songs I’d take off and a few that I’d add on,
and actually, if it were up to me, it would be a double CD and then a DVD
compilation with a lengthened set, because there’s a lot of stuff that I’d
really like to have on this. There’s four songs from ‘WCFYA’, but I still feel
like I’m being cheated of some songs off of even that album. The first track, “What
Doesn’t Die” is a brutal, true to metal way to start the album off, and going
into “Got the Time” next is actually a very cool transition even though they’re
two completely different songs. As a whole, the CD portion of this album is
very well done (DVD to be reviewed in upcoming DVD review section).
The sound quality is pretty raw, but not overly raw at all. It
gives a great feel to what it probably felt like to be in the Metro in Chicago
on that very cold December night (hell, I saw Primus at the Aragon almost a
month earlier and it was freezing), done pretty well.
There is a lot of good things about this album, the track
listing, the sound quality, the way Bush covers the Belladonna songs, it’s all
good. Alex Ross once again does a great job with the album’s artwork, and as a
whole, you get an awful lot by buying this piece of music. Out of 100, I say
you get an 88.
Track listing
1.
What Doesn’t Die
2.
Got the Time
3.
Caught in a Mosh
4.
Safe Home
5.
Room For One More
6.
Antisocial
7.
Nobody Knows Anything
8.
Fueled
9.
Inside Out
10. Refuse to be Denied
11. I Am the Law
12. Only
Avg. band score – 82.56
