The Anthrax thread

[TAC]

Sounds Of White Noise did nothing for me.

SOWN has aged really well, but I gotta admit, I had no idea what to think about it when it came out.

I was a bit fed up they got Joey back rather than John,

I feel like they were getting offers for "classic" Anthrax. I believe that was more sellable, jumping on the retro bandwagon. The Big 4 tour had probably been in the works for a while, and I'm sure the promoter/management wanted to sell the classic lineup.

[WilliamMunny]

HUGE fan of all 4- Bush-thrax albums here!

In fact, I prefer John's era to Joey's era (I'm way in the minority here), and also share the love for Stomp 442 (although, it's probably second behind SOWN for me).

That all said, I think the last two Joey albums are among the band's best work and feel like a continuation of Persistence of Time (which I considered the best Joey album by a long mile).

[DoctorAction]

Sounds Of White Noise did nothing for me.

SOWN has aged really well, but I gotta admit, I had no idea what to think about it when it came out.

I was a bit fed up they got Joey back rather than John,

I feel like they were getting offers for "classic" Anthrax. I believe that was more sellable, jumping on the retro bandwagon. The Big 4 tour had probably been in the works for a while, and I'm sure the promoter/management wanted to sell the classic lineup.

This makes complete sense to me.

[Grappler]

I feel like they were getting offers for "classic" Anthrax. I believe that was more sellable, jumping on the retro bandwagon. The Big 4 tour had probably been in the works for a while, and I'm sure the promoter/management wanted to sell the classic lineup.

They definitely were - they reunited with Joey and Dan Spitz in 2005, five years before the Big 4 shows were played.  That's when John split and they did the Anthrology compliation and Alive 2 shows.  Joey then split and you had the Dan Nelson experiment prior to the Big 4.

[Samsara]

HUGE fan of all 4- Bush-thrax albums here!

In fact, I prefer John's era to Joey's era (I'm way in the minority here), and also share the love for Stomp 442 (although, it's probably second behind SOWN for me).

That all said, I think the last two Joey albums are among the band's best work and feel like a continuation of Persistence of Time (which I considered the best Joey album by a long mile).

I agree with everything said here regarding preferring John's era, and the love for Joey's last two Anthrax records.

When I met John a few days ago, he said he really appreciates the love for his era in Anthrax and loves the songs they did.

[cfmoran13]

They definitely were - they reunited with Joey and Dan Spitz in 2005, five years before the Big 4 shows were played.  That's when John split and they did the Anthrology compliation and Alive 2 shows.  Joey then split and you had the Dan Nelson experiment prior to the Big 4.

I was at the NJ 2005 show with Joey and Spitz.  It was freaking awesome!  I've always loved the Bush era albums and was bummed to see him gone.  But, I'm not gonna lie.  I was thrilled to get to see the classic lineup live for the first time.  My first time seeing them live was for SoWN.  When they did the livestream for their 40th anniversary at the end of '21, I was really hoping they'd bring John in to sing a song or two from his albums.  They brought in Chuck D for Bring The Noise.  Kinda seemed like a lost opportunity.

Speaking of Dan Nelson.  A little old.  But, I hadn't heard  this before...
https://blabbermouth.net/news/former-anthrax-singer-dan-nelson-pleads-guilty-to-attacking-two-older-men

[Samsara]

I went to a June 2006 show celebrating (I think) Among the Living. Both Joey and Dan Spitz. It was at this shit hole in the wall called The Pound. It was a legendary shit hole for thrash bands in the Bay Area. I think it closed a few months after that gig.

[nick_z]

Found an Anthrax thread, and figured it'd be a good place to post this:

Charlie Benante on Drumeo:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jePN_AB0syw

He talks about drumming both in Anthrax and Pantera, of course. Super-fun watch. Really enjoy him.

[TAC]

Nick, thanks for posting it. I've seen it in my feed but I haven't had a chance to watch it.
You convinced me to do it!

Yes, Charlie is great. He's got an amazing memory, and I'm not sure he has ever really gotten the credit that he is due. He's a phenomenal drummer.

His drum duel with MP was amazing and so much fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILGDaVJOi2U
Love the look on MP's face when Charlie busts out 6:00.

[Grappler]

Charlie is the shit.  His name doesn't ever really pop up when people talk about great drummers, but he is awesome.   

[nick_z]

His drum duel with MP was amazing and so much fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILGDaVJOi2U
Love the look on MP's face when Charlie busts out 6:00.

Yeah, I remember this one. Always fun to watch.

[DoctorAction]

Thanks for sharing the Charlie Drumeo. Only halfway through and so much good stuff. I didn't love WCFYA but there is a song I always play off it and that's Nobody Knows Anything. The drums on that are insane.

Charlie (and Thrax) are fantastic. They've aged the best of all the classic thrash bands for me.

Charlie is one of those guys you know is him as soon as you hear it. He's got such a vibe - and is SO tight!

[TAC]

Yeah, I never connected with WCFYA.

In the recent Top 25 Bassists Countdown, I had Frank Bello at #4.

So funny that Charlie is actually Frank's uncle.

[coz]

Charlie is the shit.  His name doesn't ever really pop up when people talk about great drummers, but he is awesome.   

Hells yeah.  I still can't personally get behind them calling the current iteration of what they're doing, Pantera.  Whatever.  Charlie was my #16 on the DTF Top 25 drummer countdown for his work with Anthrax and SOD. 

[nick_z]

So funny that Charlie is actually Frank's uncle.

I did not know that! That is pretty funny.

...and I do enjoy WCFYA a fair bit. It's my second favorite (after SOWN) of the Bush-era (not that there's a ton of records in there  )

[billboy73]

I think Charlie is underrated in the metal drumming world for sure, even though he does still get a lot of respect.  For me, he's the best of the Big 4 drummers.  I know a lot of people will drop Lombardo or Menza, but I think Charlie takes the cake.  Spreading the Disease was the first Anthrax album I bought, and when Gung Ho came on I was like "holy shit!".  Also, he writes a lot of Anthrax riffs and is a pretty solid guitar player.  He is still going strong at 61 too. 

[DoctorAction]

Couple of things stuck out to me in that. He's been playing drums since he was 4 and (according to him) put down the first blast beat on record (S.O.D. - Milk)

[nick_z]

Couple of things stuck out to me in that. He's been playing drums since he was 4 and (according to him) put down the first blast beat on record (S.O.D. - Milk)

Yep, I kind of remember having read about the first blast beat on record before...

[billboy73]

Dan Lilker is going to fill in for Frank for some South American and US shows coming up in April and May.  That would be cool to see him playing in Anthrax again.

Also, listened to Vol 8 yesterday.  I hadn't listened to that album in quite some time.  I have never been a big fan of that album, and it's still my least favorite Bushthrax album, but it's still a decent record with a few really solid tunes on it.

[TAC]

Also, listened to Vol 8 yesterday.  I hadn't listened to that album in quite some time.  I have never been a big fan of that album, and it's still my least favorite Bushthrax album, but it's still a decent record with a few really solid tunes on it.

I listened to it fairly recently. I'll still take it over WCFYA, but it's really uneven. Still, Catharsis might be my fave Bush Era Anthrax tune.

[Grappler]

Crush has always been my favorite from Volume 8.  But I do think that 604 is a nice, fun little tune.   

[Kwyjibo]

Crush and Carthasis are the clear standout tracks, then some solid songs and then some not so good ones. Overall Volume 8 is a very uneven affair.

And I think that WCFYA on the whole is a lot better. 

[ProfessorPeart]

I would love to be able to see Dan play with the band, but it's mainly South America. I've seen the classic lineup, I've seen Joey Vera on bass during the Bush years, seen Paul Crook, Caggiano, etc. Never saw Lilker. That would be a real treat to see.

[Grappler]

And I think that WCFYA on the whole is a lot better. 

    There's no comparison - WCFYA is amazing.   

[TAC]

I think WCFYA  is the worst album in their catalog. 

[ProfessorPeart]

I think WCFYA  is the worst album in their catalog. 

I think you meant to say State Of Euphoria.

While not terrible, it's their worst. They even say so.

[DoctorAction]

Love Volume 8. A top Thrax choice for me. Love the production, variety and massive, chunky grooves. As well as those tracks mentioned, Hog Tied, Stealing From a Thief, Big Fat. Pretty much love it from top to toe.

WCFYA has three solid tracks (the first 3 after the intro) and one fantastic one (Nobody Knows Anything). The rest is either rock-leaning filler or just sounds unfinished. I remember Scott talking a lot about Safe Home (love song to his wife) when it came out but it's a real stinker, afaic. Dunno what they were thinking. Having said that, they felt solid as a lineup with Rob on guitar and John in front. I loved them since the mid 80s, but this tour was the only time I've seen them live and they were fucking fantastic. In the (now buried under the tube station) Astoria in London.

[nick_z]

WCFYA has three solid tracks (the first 3 after the intro) and one fantastic one (Nobody Knows Anything). The rest is either rock-leaning filler or just sounds unfinished. I remember Scott talking a lot about Safe Home (love song to his wife) when it came out but it's a real stinker, afaic. Dunno what they were thinking. Having said that, they felt solid as a lineup with Rob on guitar and John in front. I loved them since the mid 80s, but this tour was the only time I've seen them live and they were fucking fantastic. In the (now buried under the tube station) Astoria in London.

I like Safe Home  I mean, it doesn't quite sound like an Anthrax song, but as a radio-friendly, melodic hard rock tune it works for me...

[TAC]

I think my issue with WCFYA is that it's made in a 00's hard rock/metal vain. I am just not a fan of that style of music. I find it grinding and generally devoid of melody, much like 00's metal.

Volume 8 also has them trying for a "modern-ish" style., but I can relate to more of it.


I was going to listen to Spreading The Disease this morning, but at the last minute, I decided on Fistful. It's been quite a while since I've listened to it, but it hit me that Neil Turbin is fucking obnoxious on it. Wow!

[Zantera]

State of Euphoria isn't great but I'd say it's better than all the Bush albums except for maybe Sound of White Noise which is pretty decent. But I would say their songwriting in general was a lot weaker in Bush's decade of being in the band compared to the decade before when they made their best albums. So I don't necessarily blame the singer, he did what he could.

[TAC]

State of Euphoria isn't great but I'd say it's better than all the Bush albums except for maybe Sound of White Noise which is pretty decent. But I would say their songwriting in general was a lot weaker in Bush's decade of being in the band compared to the decade before when they made their best albums. So I don't necessarily blame the singer, he did what he could.

It's funny because I was a huge Armored Saint fan, so I should've loved the new Anthrax with John Bush, but I actually remember being disappointed with SOWN. It has aged greatly though.
Stomp 442 is probably my favorite as it spoke to me at that time in my life and has never left me.


Scott and Charlie were really struggling with the direction of the band. They let Joey go, Dan Spitz was next, and then even Frankie left.

[Zantera]

It's funny because I was a huge Armored Saint fan, so I should've loved the new Anthrax with John Bush, but I actually remember being disappointed with SOWN. It has aged greatly though.
Stomp 442 is probably my favorite as it spoke to me at that time in my life and has never left me.


Scott and Charlie were really struggling with the direction of the band. They let Joey go, Dan Spitz was next, and then even Frankie left.

It was a weird time in general for the 80s metal bands I'd say. Metallica became Alternica with Load/Reload, Megadeth mellowed out for a bit and Anthrax seemed to go the groove metal route of Pantera (but not quite hitting those highs). I can appreciate the experiment but I kinda feel those albums are a case of being there at the right time / right place sort of situation.

But overall I guess I'm a little bit bummed because Persistence of Time is an album I love (sometimes maybe even my favorite album they made) and it was more of a darker atmospheric thrash metal album and after that you get the change in singer and direction so it makes me wonder what could have been if they kept going that route.

[ProfessorPeart]

With the news of Lilker stepping in for a few, I went down the rabbit hole I have been meaning to for years and started checking out his work. I recently picked up the first few Nuclear Assault albums and am really enjoying what I am hearing.

Then, to my absolute surprise, I see that Danny played bass on Anthrax's cover of Ball Of Confusion. Somehow, that tidbit escaped me all these years. I had no idea and can't believe I missed that.

Anyway, I think Nuclear Assault is as deep as I am going to get with his post-'Thrax stuff. The rest is a bit too much for me.

[jammindude]

The first 3 NA albums are amazing, and I place Handle With Care among the greatest thrash albums ever recorded.

[TAC]

Yeah, I never got into Nuclear Assault back in the day. Wasn't really my kind of metal. I have checked them out in recent years and have enjoyed it, but haven't really done a deep dive on them.