CD Review: Anthrax –
Anthems
Megaforce
All Access Review: B+
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| Anthrax - Anthems 2013 |
The usual mosh pit at an Anthrax show is ramping up its
cyclonic fury in anticipation of the raging sonic back-alley brawls
Scott Ian and company are about to start. Perhaps they’ll launch into “Madhouse”
or “Indians” next or any of the other blazing thrash-metal classics they have at
their disposal. And then, those crashing bodies in riotous motion come to a
sudden and complete halt, the reason being that Anthrax has just launched into
a Journey cover of all things.
Quizzical looks are directed at the stage, as Journey’s “Keep
on Runnin’” flies out of their Marshall Stacks. Is that Joey Belladonna singing
or Steve Perry? It could be either of them; it really could, as Belladonna’s wail
climbs to heights few can reach. Those who’ve heard Anthems, the new Megaforce eight-song EP of classic-rock covers and two versions of the epic, slow-burning “Crawl,” off their sensational Worship Music album, would be prepared
in case of such an event and not be thrown by it.
Like a raging bull that sees nothing but red, Worship Music bucked and contorted its
massive, muscular bulk in such a way as to make it almost impossible to ride.
Arguably the best metal album of this century, the last record from New York
City’s most aggressive thrash-metal street gang was a relentless attack from
beginning to end. The hurricane-like intensity, the dizzying dynamics, the simmering
tension and high drama, not to mention the impassioned vocals of the prodigal
son Belladonna – all of this nuclear energy was barely contained within the
reactor known as Worship Music, until
it melted down so spectacularly in 2011.
Considering how powerful and ferocious Worship Music was, and what unexpectedly strong melodies and what bold,
high-impact production it had, Anthrax has earned the right to a fun indulgence
like Anthems. Unexpectedly, Anthrax
plays it straight on Anthems, with
vigorous workouts of Rush’s “Anthem,” Thin Lizzy’s “Jailbreak” and a crawling
prowl through AC/DC’s “T.N.T” not deviating much from the originals; yet, in
typically enthusiastic fashion, they inject each with fresh energy and lively
performances. And their playing is more impassioned on “Keep on Runnin’” and
Boston’s “Smokin’” – which has a particularly rowdy atmosphere – than on any of the others, as the pulse of both covers absolutely
races.
Clearly, they cherish these songs, and they’re so respectful
of them that they don’t take any unnecessary chances in their handling of these treasures. It is surprising,
though, how they treat these Anthems
with kid gloves and avoid giving them a good thrashing. Ultimately, what Anthems proves is that, if they wanted, Anthrax could simply be a great no-frills hard-rock band, especially with
Belladonna on the mic. His vocals are astonishingly clear and melodic, fitting
the material like a glove. And if Geddy Lee ever chooses to relinquish his
singing duties with Rush, Belladonna could step right in and the Canadians
would not miss a beat, as evidenced by his piercing treatment of “Anthem” from 2112.
Why Anthrax chose to give the expansive, chugging epic
“Crawl,” one of the heaviest songs off Worship
Music, a makeover is anyone’s guess. Taking a stab at a remixed version, Anthrax fleshes out “Crawl” with strings, giving it a darker, moodier and more menacing character. Undoubtedly a labor of love
for Anthrax, Anthems does no harm to
the songs of their heroes, and the thicker, heavier groove they give to “Big Eyes” by Cheap Trick improves the original. Could they have made less obvious choices? Maybe, but
then, this is what Anthrax wanted, and had they picked deeper cuts, that pure
joy and unabashed eagerness that is so prevalent here might be tempered. And that
would be a shame.
– Peter Lindblad
– Peter Lindblad
