Anthrax - Thrash London and Bristol into submission!!!

****2/3'

The UK get 'Caught in a Mosh'!!!

Anthrax ****2/3 are a legendary Trash Metal band, that are celebrating their fortieth anniversary with a massive tour... which includes the two shows we will talk about in this review. Which are Bristol, o2 Academy and London, Brixton o2 Academy. I think Anthrax are a band that sometimes don't get the credit they are due, for me they are up there with Metallica, Megadeth and Iron Maiden. The influence they have had on the music World is shown in the intro video to their set, which has loads of celebrties saying how much Anthrax has influenced them which includes Keanu Reeves, Dee Snider, Rob Halford, Phil Anselmo, John Carpenter, Kerry King and many more... Anthrax are a stadium Rock / Metal band, they come accross best in a big venue.

This is why the London, Brixton show was better than the Bristol show. Even though both of their performances were equally as good, the band has such good musicianship that they never do fail to impress. But visually if you want to see them as a fan... I would recommend a big venue. I have always liked Anthrax, but during the Covid-19 Lockdown's I really fell in love with them. Along with Pantera and Headswim they were one of my most listened to bands. I have now listened to near enough all their material, but tonight's setlist all you needed to know was the hits, because the set is full of hit after hit after hit. Which hit you in the face  like an old friend, coming to wake you up.

I actually spent a lot of money during lockdown, to back the re-issues of their releases and get my name on some gold discs for 'Persistence of Time' a record I have been listening to a lot. They play songs from this record, as well as classic records 'Among the Living', 'State of Euphoria' and 'Spreading the Disease'. Along with newer classics like the brilliant 'In the End' which is a tribute to late Ronnie James Dio (Dio / Black Sabbath / Rainbow) and Dimebag Darrell (Pantera / Damageplan), which comes from the album 'Worship Music'. The band have a super group feel around them, which all members Joey Belladonna (Vocals), Scott Ian (Guitar), Frank Bello (Bass), Charlie Benante (Drums) and Jon Donais (Lead Guitar).  Each member has their own identity, that really shines brightly as they are on the stage. This is not seen in many bands, KISS has this and it is something really special. 

They open with the title track off their album 'Among the Living', which is a track I really love. And you instantly knew that this show was going to be something special. Everyone knows every word, and from the start of the set you can feel the power of their performance and their great connection with the fans. Who just go crazy for tracks like 'Caught in a Mosh' and 'Madhouse' which are Thrash Metal classics. These songs see a lot of crowd surfers and people throwing their fists in the air, like they really don't care. The stage is drapped in bright colours and pictures, that are from every era of Anthrax. So when they play 'Keep it in the Family' you really feel like you are part of the Anthrax family, and that is a family I love to be in.

There is so many special moments in the set from the Trust cover 'Antisocial', to the Judge Dread inspired anthem 'I am the Law'... to the epic and heart felt 'In the End'. This is a set you just don't want to end, even when a lot of the crowd are tattered and bruised from the mosh. Anthrax are really "Bringin' the Noise!!!", and we are quite happy to hear it. There is a rare outing of 'I'm the Man' which they have not played on a tour since 2017, which is a nice addition to the set. And of course as always the Joe Jackson cover of 'Got the Time', that get's in your head like that darn chicken that they go on about.

Butt it is the single 'Indians' that takes the set into another dimension, it just takes them into another place, whith fans wearing Indian headdress' and just having a good time. Singer Social Repose got recently critised for wearing a Indian headdress, and the Washington Redkins had to change their name to the Commanders and the Cleveland Indians had to change their name to the Guardians. But I don't see why their had to be a change to these names ext, because they are used in tribute to the Indians, just like the fans are doing at an Anthrax show. It's showing their love, it's not anything derogatory.

I saw so many smiles during Anthrax's performance, and everyone was having a really good time the whole way through the performance. Their are some great funny comments by Scott Ian and Joey Belladonna during the performance, and the atmosphere was electric. If you love Heavy and Thrash Metal, Anthrax are a band you must go and see. I know I will be trying my best to catch them, when they hit the Bloodstock Festival next year. I have seen them there before and it was a performance not to be missed, like the ones at both the Bristol, o2 Academy and the London, Brixton Academy. Anthrax truly are one of the Big 4 Thrash bands, and a band that will live forever.

Review and Photos by Dan Devour (Dan Devour Photography - For more Photos)

Anthrax - Setlist
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Anthrax Celebrity Intro
Among the Living
Caught in a Mosh
Madhouse
Metal Thrashing Mad
Keep it in the Family
Antisocial (Trust Cover)
I am the Law
In the End
Medusa
Only
Bring the Noise (Public Enemy / Anthrax Cover) (Partial)
I'm the Man
Indians
Got the Time (Joe Jackson Cover)
Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)

Check Out! the Video for 'Madhouse' Below...