Review Summary: Incredible release from a legendary band.
Anthrax. This is their 11th record, being released 35 years after the original conception of this anti-hair-metal brainchild of guitarist Scott Ian.
For All Kings is their second album since the return of most popular vocalist, Joey Belladonna, and oh what a strong album this is.
This album is by no means very thrashy. It is extremely unlike what Anthrax was in the days of
Among the Living and
Spreading the Disease, and goes for a more modern hard rock sound. Their previous record,
Worship Music, took the same approach, and it worked out for them. The majority of fans accepted Joey back, and this newer style generally well, so there was no reason to stop. By no means does the slight style change take away from their legacy, or ability to write great music. The thrash is still present, and the metal is still there, it is just toned down a bit.
Belladonna’s vocals have changed since his 80s/90s days, but this doesn’t give him any less credit. His singing has actually improved, and he can belt out high notes just as well as ever. But Joey really isn’t the highlight of this album. Granted the catchy choruses and hooks do make for one hell of an album, but the main focus here is the guitar. Their new lead guitarist, Jon Donais rips it up on the solos of this album, and, of course, Scott Ian’s heavy, driving riffs are the focal point for this record.
The tracks ‘You Gotta Believe’, ‘Suzerain’, ‘Evil Twin’, ‘This Battle Chose Us’, and ‘Zero Tolerance’ demonstrate that Anthrax aren’t totally finished with their thrash sound. ‘Zero Tolerance’ especially, sounds like it was written in the vein of
Slayer, with some super political and anti-religious lyrics. Definitely one of the best tracks on the album. ‘Suzerain’ is one of the strongest vocal performances, and contains the strongest opening riff on this record. ‘You Gotta Believe’ delivers the most outstanding work from the guitars and drums. The chugging riff in the verses, the thrashy drum beat in the chorus, and the shredding leads in the bridge really tie the track together. ‘Breathing Lightning’ has the best chorus on the album. Joey’s voice soars on this track, and really gets you singing along every time.
It is hard to complain about
For All Kings. The only thing I can say, is that no matter how many times I hear it, ‘All of Them Thieves’ just doesn’t stick with me. Not a bad song, but it is definitely the weakest track; the album doesn’t benefit from having it on there. I feel that this is one of Anthrax’s strongest releases; and so far, this is the best release from the Big Four in the last year (we’ll just have to see if Metallica can top it). Overall, the album is incredible, the choruses are catchy, the riffs are heavy, and there is only one real kind of a dud song.
Recommended Tracks: Suzerain, Zero Tolerance, Breathing Lightning
