 |
|
Band Name: Anthrax
Album Name: Anthrax - Alive 2:The Music
Rating: 4 / 5 User Rating: 4 / 5
Label: Sanctuary Records
Buy Album: Amazon.com
Rate Album: Rate
|
Tracklist
1. Among The Living
2. Caught In A Mosh
3. A.I.R.
4. Antiaocial
5. Efilnickufesin (N.F.L.)
6. Deathrider
7. Medusa
8. In My World
9. Indians
10. Time
11. Be All End All
12. I Am The Law
|
Following the release of last year's 'Greater Of Two Evils' re-hashing, many long-time Anthrax fans were prone to opine that the day would never come again where Joey Belladonna would be in front of the mic for this long-time thrash metal mainstay. Having re-recorded many of the band's finest tracks with Belladonna replacement John Bush, it seemed that Anthrax were making an attempt to erase the Belladonna era in it's entirety by having the stylistically different Bush lay down his takes of the band's much-loved, classic tunes.
In a surprising move, the group quickly invited Belladonna back into the band, with the likewise mission-in-action shredder Dan Spitz also returning to the fold. However, instead of returning to the recording studio to lay down the reunion album that many were anticipating, the group immediately hit the road on a headlining tour through mid-sized concert venues across the US, this record chronicling the group's layover in New Jersey last summer. The results remain of this documentation wind up as inspiring, if not overwhelming.
It's difficult to articulate exactly how fantastic it is to hear Belladonna on stage with the band again, belting it out again for these metal icons. There's something about his unique vocal presence that makes the band's music quite special, a wholly singular aura that the group could seem to never recapture with Bush out front. In the return of Dan Spitz, we find Anthrax sounding much like it's former self, the contrast of the guitar playing styles of Spitz and Scott Ian again resounding as a fruitful pairing.
Choosing many of the band's most familiar cuts, such as 'Indians', 'I Am The Law' and 'Medusa' makes a lot of sense, but for a four album run beginning with Spreading The Disease and ending with Persistence Of Time, one could argue that just about any of the tracks are worthy for inclusion in a live set. Most importantly fans get crucial renditions of 'Be All, End All', 'N.F.L. (Efilnickufecin)' and 'A.I.R', tracks that might not have received as much attention or publicity, but are some of the band's finest.
By and large, the biggest complaint about the record is the production quality. Although the tones utilized by the engineers may have sounded crushing inside the room, there's a bit lost in the translation on the CD. Essentially, this disc sounds more like it was recorded in back in 1995 than in 2005, but it is highly doubtful that the band's loyal fans will notice. Having the classic line-up back together again makes up for the muffled kick drum sounds and the uneven mix.
Being a great treat for devoted followers, 'Alive 2' may not be the long-awaited follow-up to 'Persistence Of Time' that we're waiting for, but it certainly satisfies the appetite for something new from the classic members of this most influential 'Big 4' member. Pair this one up with the band's new studio retrospective and you'll have an excellent holiday gift for any serious headbanger.
Review by: EF
Read Member Reviews
|
