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Review Summary: It's official, the band has reached Suckville. An Anthrax Story:
Episode VIII: Volume 8: The Threat is Real
When we last left our heroes, they had released two halfway acceptable albums. To speak fairly, the band had made a few songs on each album which were worth a listen. The music was by no means great, much less on par with the earlier work the band had achieved under Belladonna, it simply made the cut on occasion. Sadly, the slump the band had been showing since Sound of White Noise was finally eclipsing the band on their third Bush record.
The band at this time was:
Scott Ian: Rythm Guitars
Frank Bello: Bass
Charlie Benante: Drums
John Bush: Vocals
As I've said on occasions, I do not hate Bush's voice at all. He is, in fact, a talented vocalist, and had plenty of experience in the metal underground (having worked with Armored Saint). However, he lacked the musical chemistry Belladonna had established with the band, plus his style was sharply different from Belladonna's.
The truth, however, is that the problems the band was facing at this point went much deeper than a change in vocals. The band seemed, time an again, to be recording for the mere sake of recording. No longer were the albums as gratifying or as musically varied as their classic thrash predecessors. Instead, we find ourselves with a band that's merely trying to fit in, rather than stand out. All we get is a cheap Stone Temple Pilots imitation, rather than the thrash metal leader that was known for it's naughty, humorous lyrics as well as it's messy moshpits. Anthrax is, at this time, nothing more than a has-been (a problem that other thrash giants such as Metallica and Megadeth were facing as well).
The music says it all. Scott Ian, once know for his simple-yet-effective riffs, seems to be stuck in a rut. There are no longer any guitar solos. Benante is also in a rut as well, apparently unable to perform the blastbeats he is known for. And Bello's provocative basslines are simply out of the mix. None of the aspects in musicianship that distiguished the band are present. In conclusion, Anthrax has pretty much hit rock bottom here. Sorry guys, the only real threat fulfilled here is that Anthrax has hit rock bottom. Stay away from this.
Up next:
Episode IX: We've Come for You All
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Album Rating: 1.5
I'm definitely gonna get flamed for these reviews.
| | | Album Rating: 2.0
This wasn't that bad of an album. It was definitely better than anything else released after PoT.
| | | Album Rating: 1.5
^we all have different tastes. Though I have to admit, I find your opinions easier to take seriously than those of many other sputnikers.
I would say: SOWN > S442 > V8TTIR
But it's debatable which one is worse.
| | | Album Rating: 1.5
@ ASnideRemarkz: you've got a point. I'm new to formatting, it was today when I noticed the tools. I'll take some time to improve the discog, gonna take a few days for that.
Still have two albums left, but then again, this discog isn't too long.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Review isn't bad, pos'd.
Although I feel like you can go further in your explanations.
You're probably going to get flamed for posting two reviews on a weekend, one thing I've learned a couple month ago.
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Your use of prose is good, pos'd. I agree with Rastapunk; it would be nice for a bit more depth to your argument but despite this, good job, you had me interested!
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the album art remains epic
| | | Album Rating: 1.5
Thanks guys, as I said, I'm still no pro to this reviewing biz. Once I finish the discog, I'll probably continue improving it over time. This was the only band out of the Big Four without a discog review, as far as I've seen.
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inside out is a decent song
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am i the only one who thinks that Fripp looks like Steve Albini in that avatar?
| | | Album Rating: 1.5
Only the 1st song is passable, I was totally unable to get past the 2nd song. This album is unfinishable IMO.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
So you review the album based on the first song? WTF?
The best song is track 3, 'Inside Out' which is one the best songs ever by Anthrax, its awesome, but you wouldn't know that would you.
Crush, catharsis, Born again idiot, Killing box (with Phil Anselmo on backing vocals/screams) and stealing from a thief are all very good too.
This is a solid album, maybe not enough cheese for Belladonna ball swingers.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
This album has it's moments.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
It's interesting indeed how different tastes can be. I like this album quite a lot. It has some really cool and deep riffs, much above average. Best album of Bush era imo.
By the way, I think that Benante somehow lost his accuracy in the course of the Bush era. He often drags behind and lacks the precision he displayed on earlier albums... His playing improved again on Worship Music. Don't know if anyone else noticed?
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Some of your word choice is solid but trite with detail.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
I actually find a lot to enjoy from the Bush-era. Sound Of White Noise is hands down the best album they made with him, and I find that record roughly as good as State Of Euphoria and Persistence Of Time.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Jammin' "Crush", "Catharsis", "Stealing From A Thief", and "Piss And Vinegar" pretty hard.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Yeah, some badass tracks on here.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off
Re-spun this today. Definitely has some neat tracks here, but it's too long.
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