Words and All Photos: Scott Lukes
The Corbin Arena hosted a solid night of legendary Thrash/Metal Rock music as the 40th Anniversary Anthrax Tour came to town. It amazes me that 40 years have passed since this version of hard-ass rock first emerged with little appreciation from those in the supposed know, but isn’t that typical when change happens and threatens the establishment?
Opening this night of head-bashing jams was Exodus a pioneer in this hard-hitting genre back in 1979. Exodus came out fully charged up playing an excellent 45-minute set that included their best tunes like Piranha, Bonded by Blood, and Toxic Waltz to name a few. I can’t imagine a better way to start a show of this magnitude than with the supercharged presence of Exodus.
Following Exodus and their true Thrash-Metal sound was Black Label Society. With a bit of a break from the Anthrax and Exodus formula, BLS was a perfect match for the continuing flow of hard-rock music on this night.
BLS led by Zakk Wylde stole the show with an incredible hour-plus set of what I refer to as “Biker Bar” crushing tunes. Playing thirteen killer songs, BLS completely executed an outstanding performance that the crowd loved.
They started with “Funeral Bell” and kept that fire burning nonstop until the very end with “Still Born”. Zakk in full kilt ripped away on his many unique guitars with that iconic skull-based mic stand illuminating its visual dominance to all. Again, BLS was a departure from the Thrash-Metal theme of the night, yet a great way to transition between these two phenomenal bands that fueled decades of a genre that once was said would never last.
Now for me, I claimed that BLS stole the show; however, that’s based on my preference for music and Zakk’s ability to continuously whale away on the guitar. Anthrax certainly put it all out there. From one end of the stage to the other, the boys delivered a tremendous show that fully lived up to Anthrax’s 40-year reputation.
Nonstop is an understatement when these guys get going. Each song was crisp and executed perfectly bringing the full wrath of their many years of groundbreaking music to life. Starting with “Among the Living” and ending with a call from Joey for everyone to come down from their seats and “get crazy” to their final jam “Indians”, this was a show to remember for a lifetime.
The 40th Anniversary Anthrax Tour continues through February 19th, 2023.
For more information visit Anthrax at https://www.anthrax.com/
Black Label Society at https://blacklabelsociety.com/
Exodus at https://exodusattack.com/site/home/
Anthrax Setlist: Among the Living, Caught in a Mosh, Madhouse, Metal Thrashing Mad, Keep It in the Family, Antisocial, I Am the Law, In the End, Only, Got the Time, Indians