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Band Name: Anthrax
Album Name: Sound Of White Noise
Rating: 3.5 / 5 User Rating: 2 / 5
Label: Elektra Records
Buy Album: Amazon.com
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Tracklist
1. Potter's Field
2. Only
3. Room for One More
4. Packaged Rebellion
5. Hy Pro Glo
6. Invisible
7. 1000 Points of Hate
8. Black Lodge
9. C11H17N202SNA (Sodium Pentathol)
10. Burst
11. This Is Not an Exit
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This is a good album and 'Sound Of White Noise' should be recognized as that first and foremost. Secondly, this band, especially in retrospect sounds absolutely nothing like Anthrax whatsoever. Although Scott Ian's weighty axe battering makes for a big portion of the group's sound, the band's identity formerly rested in the inimitable vocal delivery of Joey Belladonna. This is the #1 reason that groups should change names when replacing a high profile singer; it's simply not the same experience. They could have named the band 'Botulism' and this solid effort would have likely sold just as many discs. Yes, John Bush has a distinctive voice as well, but Anthrax is a much hipper band than Armored Saint, giving the singer more room to maneuver and try things that wouldn't have fit with his old ensemble, but at times, yes, this record sounds like Armored Saint, much more so than it sounds like classic Anthrax. Dave Jerden (Jane's Addiction) provides a very low-end style of production, getting an overall sound that closely matches the works of Terry Date. This bottom heavy approach certainly suits the guitars of Ian quite well, especially on the track 'Black Lodge', a seriously foreboding cut that is as near to a serious ballad as you're likely to find on a record. Meanwhile, 'Potters Field', 'Room For One More' and 'Sodium Pentathol' all deliver quite a bit of bang for the buck, however it is 'Only', the closest thing Anthrax has ever had to a radio single that ends up being the showcase of the record. On this track, Bush puts forth a very good effort vocally as these musicians mesh together effectively, creating one of the most memorable cuts of the album through the use of a substantial, pounding rhythm and powerful vocal harmonies. All in all, this is better than one might expect, but the post-Belladonna heyday ends right here.
Review by: EF
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