Anthrax - For all Kings

(CD Album Review)

'For all Kings' but not for me!!!

Reestablishing their name in 2011 with 'Worship Music' at that point the best album released by anyone in the big four for many a year. Anthrax are back with 'For all Kings' with new lead guitarist Jonathan Donais (Shadows Fall) in tow.

I have to admit I’ve been worried about Anthrax for a few years now, 'Worship Music' was my album of the year for 2011 but the last couple of years it seems the band have been more concerned about projects outside of the band and they have been playing a very "Vanilla” setlist in their live shows.

'For all Kings' sounds phoned in and second guessed. Anthrax have always pushed forward with their albums, you had the experimental stage during the 90’s... which every band went through!!! what didn’t work was discarded and what did was brought back. This was incorporated with a return to Thrash, shown on the album 'We’ve come for you All'.

This album was packed with energy, variety and creativity, after the confusing years that followed (too much to go into right now) it was a miracle. 'Worship Music' was good at all let alone the monumental step forward it was, so what’s gone wrong here?.

After a short intro the album kicks into 'You gotta Believe' which opens with the signature stomping riff Anthrax are known for, it’s instantly recognizable if a bit too long. Then it goes into the mid paced 'Monster at the end'. The album just plods along giving just enough to keep you occupied but nothing stands out....apart from the odd over repeated chorus.

I kept playing the album hoping it would grow on me but nothing was, the chorus to 'Breathing Lightning' stuck in my head but it actually annoyed me. On repeated listens the albums two strongest songs 'Evil Twin' an Anthrax by numbers track, and 'Breathing Lightning' which sounds like radio fodder but it’s nearly six minutes long so that makes it all the more confusing, these two songs on any other Anthrax album would be filler.

Then more things crop up the more I listened to it, Charlie Benante who is my favorite drummer and chief songwriter) where is he on this? Take the opening tracks on the last two albums 'What cannot Die' and 'Earth on Hell' it’s practically like a machine gun is going off, take the classic track 'A.I.R' Anthrax albums are introduced by Charlie’s drums he makes those riffs, he drives the songs.

His drum patterns stand out separately from the songs. I actually forgot my favorite drummer was on this album. He carries the song nothing more nothing less. Where Frankly Bello on this? Where’s his solo? Where anywhere on this album do you hear Franky letting his fingers attack his bass going all over the place? They’ve got Shadows Fall’s guitarist on this.

Fresh, new, young blood what did they do with him?. There’s good lead work, don’t get me wrong but nothing on here is kicking my arse!!!. I once curbed my front wheel when “Spreading the Disease” was playing in my car, 'Worship Music' I played every day for months when it came out, where’s the f**king Thrash? Or dark moody tear jerker’s like 'In the End' or 'Black Lodge'? Play me a track on this album that you would picture a pit going ape sh*t to?.

It’s not a complete abortion; it’s no 'St Anger' or 'Lulu'!!! But that’s the annoying thing it’s Anthrax by numbers... and Anthrax never where a by numbers band. The best parts on this album have been done by the band before and have been done better.

The last albums single 'Fight em till you Can’t' alone is better than anything on here. The star of the show hands down is Joey Belladonna. His vocal performance is as always stellar; his is one of Metal’s last great vocalists. He delivers a hook and can still hit those highs but he can’t save the album I’m afraid.

This is what Joe thought of the album, but what did you think... message us and let us know!!!

Review by Joe Denby