The audio version of the ‘live’ stream that the New York thrash legends delivered as part of their 40th anniversary celebrations in July 2021 has arrived. And it leaves me as flat as the stream did. Sure, the world was in a weird state at the time, but the whole thing was something that could have been so much better. To me, this ‘live’ release is an attempt to cash in on what was in effect a two-hour run through of mainly staple live songs.
Frank Bello says, “For me, each song was like reading through a scrapbook of my life and the band’s career,” which is laughable. For whilst it may be the case that from Metal Thrashing Mad through to For All Kings is covered, there was nothing in the set that acknowledged the sizeable chunk of the band’s decade or more with John Bush. To celebrate 40 years but to ignore four out of your 11 albums seemed a bit bizarre at the time and it still does.
However, although this feels much like when Sabbath denied the Dio Years when Ozzy returned to the band, we take what is still in the main a selection of the choicest cuts that Anthrax can offer here. From the mosh pit inducing tracks from Among the Living through to more serious subject matter from State of Euphoria and the most recent “Blood Eagle Wings” from For All Kings (six years old now y’know), this album does at least capture Anthrax giving an updated approach. Yet with no live crowd, and just the odd “yeah” from a single voice, it’s painfully void of atmosphere or spark. There’s none of Scott Ian’s party piece on “Indians”, and there’s no real vibe coming across the band as they hammer out songs they’ve played hundreds of times before. At times it felt watching the show back last year that it was a view into a slightly more choreographed rehearsal session. At least with this audio version we don’t get to be subjected to some sycophantic commentary from the likes of Corey Taylor.
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This sounds incredibly bitter but believe me I’m not. I’ve seen Anthrax more than any of the big four, and most other thrash bands as well. I’ve grown up with them, bought all their records and pitted to “I Am the Law”, “Madhouse” and “Medusa” with friends and my own son. I love much of what the band do, and their music is not an issue, apart from the inevitable inclusion of “Antisocial” which should never be played live again in my humble opinion. Yes, that cover, and Joe Jackson’s “Got the Time” have been immovable parts of their set for probably three decades, but they ain’t no choice cuts.
It’s a live album without any crowd noise, which makes it live in name only. But hey, Anthrax will be hitting the UK in November so grab yourself a copy, familiarise yourself with the odd rarity if you can find one, and rest assured knowing that Chuck D won’t be there for “Bring the Noise,” and that anything from Sound of White Noise, Stomp 442, Volume 8 (okay, that may have been pushing it anyway) or We’ve Come for You All won’t feature either. And with a crowd, it’ll no doubt be terrific.
Oh, and if you do shell out for the DVD, you also get to accompany Scott Ian on a walking tour of some of the band’s early haunts in New York and some unseen rehearsal footage – both attractive options for die-hard fans I’m sure.
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[…] Before ing Anthrax in the 1990s, John Bush was the driving force behind Armored Saint, a band that often flew under the radar but delivered some of the most thoughtful lyrics in metal. Bush had a knack for injecting humanity and storytelling into his work. Tracks like ‘Can U Deliver’ and ‘Last Train Home’ showcase his ability to paint vivid pictures of struggle, determination, and hope. […]