Live review and photo credit: Dave Burke (Journalist/Writer/Contributor) Myglobalmind Webzine
Now almost 35 years into their groundbreaking career, east coast metal pioneers Anthrax, one of the “Big Four” of Thrash Metal, along with Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer are on the road holding down the middle slot of a triple bill featuring up and comers Crobot and Danish metal stars Volbeat. This particular stop on the tour was a 5 band radio show for Madison’s WJJO, billed as “MayDay MayLay”. In addition to Crobot and Anthrax, the other warm up slots were filled by In This Moment and Three Days Grace.
Anthrax has gone through several line up changes over the years, with the one constant being guitarist Scott Ian. Other than relative newcomer Jon Donais (lead guitar) the current incarnation is what many consider to be the band’s classic line up, featuring Ian, bassist Frank Bello, off again, on again vocalist Joey Belladonna and long time drummer Charlie Benante.
Though due to Carpal Tunnel surgery Benante has been temporarily sidelined and Jon Dette is adeptly holding done the drum duties for this part of the tour.
Ian summed it up best while addressing the crowd, “we are Anthrax and we play fucking metal” and that they did, with an energy of a band half their age. Though the arena was only half full for the band’s early 6pm slot, Bello and Ian continually criss crossed the stage, head banging, sining back up vocals, leaping in the air and throwing up “the devil horns” to the fans in the front row. Belladonna for his part prowled the edge of the stage continually urging the crowd to throw their fists in the air and sing along.
The band’s one hour, 9 song onslaught was a perfectly focused primer for those that may not be familiar with their music, hitting all the highlights of their storied history. From opener “Caught In A Mosh”, to “Antisocial”, “I Am The Law”, “Got The Time” and show closer “Indians” everything was on point , delivered with the enthusiasm of a band out on their first major tour and the precision of one thats been doing this for most of their adult life.
With their as yet untitled 11th studio album soon to be released Anthrax will be out on the road for the foreseeable future. Do yourself a favor and head over to their website for dates near you.
Setlist Madison WI 5-10-15
Caught In A Mosh
Got The Time
Madhouse
Antisocial
Fight ‘Em ’Til You Can’t
Sister Fucker
In The End
I Am The Law
Indians
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