ALBUM INFORMATION
This is another compilation CD from one of heavy-metals well-known band called Anthrax. This album has many classic songs from the band’s early days, for example: Caught In A Mosh, Metal Thrashing Mad, Among The Living, I Am The Law and many more. But don’t be fooled by the great selection of songs. The band has recorded these songs from a voting by their fans and it sounds like the band was forced to make this record because most of the songs do not have the same edge like they had before.
The band has made a few edits in a few songs like N.F.L, Belly Of The Beast and Madhouse. There is mostly the intro that has been change but the best edit is in N.F.L, the other intro is just extended and you can be confused and wonder if it really is the right track. Another thing is that some songs are played a lot slower than they should be. Among The Living and Caught In A Mosh are typical examples of songs that is played in slow pace on the album. The boring factor is over the average and you may get tired very fast after listening to these songs. Some songs that really is instrumentally great is Panic, Deathrider and Gung-Ho, the band seems to be more focused on these songs because they sound like the original versions.
THE BAND
John’s vocals do not do a good replacement to the highly skilled Joey Belladonna. Of course he does a great job on some tracks but most of the time it gets a bit hard to endure Johns raspy singing, songs that he sings good for example is Metal Thrashing Mad, N.F.L and Keep It In The Family and songs that his voice doesn’t hold up might be Indians and Belly Of The Beast.
Scott Ian’s guitar is to overwhelming in this album, the wall of guitars does not give the bass any chance to have some space. But most of the time it sounds pretty good but the solos is great. John’s vocals and Scott’s guitars is somewhat overwhelming and it sometimes screeches in the speakers. Scott Ian is also backup singer here.
Rob Caggiano is the second guitarist and he plays same style as Scott, which will say rhythm and lead guitars. Not much to mention about him except that he is really good at solos.
Frank Bello’s clear and skilled bass-playing is almost none-hear able on the record, everybody that have heard the cool bass intro on C.I.A.M is here just some slow, bumping bass tunes that does not have the same style as in the old days. On the original records you can clearly hear the bass on basically every song, the songs does not have the old Anthrax sound so to say. Also Frank is a backup singer.
Charlie Benante does a great job here, his drumming is some of the best and they are not overwhelming or to quiet. I guess he is the only member that does the best effort on this album.
FINAL JUDGEMENT
Is guess I might have upset some people with this review, I dig Anthrax but this album was a disappointment when I started to listen to it. The biggest issues about this CD are the overwhelming guitars, slow songs and John’s vocals (some times). I think that the band could have find a much better replacement singer because John’s voice is annoying when you listen to it especially if you are a Anthrax fan. But this isn’t a crap album oh no, some songs is great hear and John’s vocals does to a good job. I don’t know who I would recommend this album to but if you are a big fan of Anthrax you might check this out and I guess that this album should work for other listeners too.
PROS
+ The album has lot of classics
+ The small edits on the songs is a little extra
+ Great drums
CONS
- To much guitars
- John’s vocals
- Some fast songs are suddenly slowerL
RECOMMENDED TRACKS
• N.F.L
• Keep It In The Family
• Metal Thrashing Mad
• Panic
The final overall album rating will be a weak: 3/5
