Anthrax - Worship Music

Bang Thy Head: Today the reunion finally comes full circle with the brand new album which includes  Joey Belladona. There is a lot to live up to and this band is no longer a pure thrash act because they have all grown as musicians and songwriters since the glory days. Age brings wisdom (most of the time) and here we have a much wiser Anthrax that has found their modern era metal sound. This album has more than enough goodies to please all fans of the band. I'm sure that some of the unrelenting immature tools from yesteryear will complain about the music but I say "fuck em".

I've been waiting a long time for this band to get rid of that horrid vocalist John Bush who sucked the life out the band as each album unfolded while he was vocalist. Here Anthrax sound heavy and powerful in a way they never did before. When you hear and feel the stomp-tastic "In The End" as it pummels your head with slow even strikes you might understand what I mean about their heaviness. Unlike Slayer but much like Metallica this is more of a rebirth for the band as was Death Magnetic for the thrash metal giants. The album sounds classic but sounds current and is just a little different for the band from their speed metal past. This is far more in tune with their John Bush output but with a far more dynamic singer handling the microphone. Charlie Benante actually uses his drum kit for creating tight powerful rhythms instead of just pounding as fast as he can.

By the time the thrashing "The Giant" arrives the album has already proved to be a winner and this is very polished but still classic era sounding hits a home-run. The song that grabbed me most is "The Devil You Know" that is a great slice of heavy metal from any genre. Probably my favorite metal song of the year so far. The news intro of an impending zombie attack on the first single "Fight Em' Til' You Can't" just made the song even better. Anthrax's "Judas Priest" is another wicked tune that earns the right to be titled the same as the greatest heavy metal band on the planet. Scott Ian has become a really good songwriter since branching out and working outside the band. I think it has allowed him to grow leaps and bounds, learning many new tricks and taking his own style to a whole new level. Rob Caggiano who's been around for awhile now blazes his fretboard all through the album. Anthrax has returned with a great new album and a fresh take on their classic sound. Any metal fan would be remiss if they didn't add this album to their collection. "HORNS UP!"