Anthrax - For all Kings (Megaforce Records)
Anthrax released in 2016 their second album since the return of Joey Belladona, and while 2011's "Worship Music" sounded at times all over the place due to the many changes in the band line-up during its recording, the new album sounds very focused and an excellent piece of craftsmanship, sounding almost as "the album that could have been", instead of "Sound of White Noise", if Belladona had never left. The album's quality is of a similar calibre to "Sound of White Noise" and combines the maturity of musicianship that Anthrax achieved during the Bush era, with the powerful vocals of Belladona, creating an extremely volatile and equally powerful mix.
The album kicks off with an atmospheric intro, straight into "You Gotta Believe" - a straightforward old-school groovy thrash song that serves as a warning - Anthrax are back! "Monster at the end" is on the more melodic end of the Anthrax, with a trademark sing-along chorus and very emotional vocals by Joey. The album continues with "For all Kings", a very fresh song from the band which combines their trademark sound with a very epic atmosphere and frantic riffing. "Breathing Lightning" brings the speed down and is by far the more radio-friendly track of the album with Metallica-sounding riffs and an alt-rock feel, straight out of the 90s. The next two track "Suzerain" and "Evil Twin" are more straightforward and aggressive, without loosing their catchiness. "Blood Eagle Wings" is where we slow down again, in a very alternative-sounding track, straight out of the Bush era, with the emotional strength that only Joey's voice can give. "Defend Avenge", one of the weakest moments of the album, still manages to impress with its groovy intro, even though the track falls a bit short of its initial promise. "All of them thieves" is a heavy as hell, live firestarter, "The Battle Chose Us" is typical Anthrax mosh pit material, while "Zero Tolerance" is a hell of an aggressive piece, which closes the album with the foot on the pedal, the same way the album started. A pleasant surprise from Anthrax, in an era where the other Big 4 have failed to produce anything of real substance, they are able to record their best album in decades.
92/100
Below are the music videos from "Monster at the End" and "Blood Eagle Wings"
The album kicks off with an atmospheric intro, straight into "You Gotta Believe" - a straightforward old-school groovy thrash song that serves as a warning - Anthrax are back! "Monster at the end" is on the more melodic end of the Anthrax, with a trademark sing-along chorus and very emotional vocals by Joey. The album continues with "For all Kings", a very fresh song from the band which combines their trademark sound with a very epic atmosphere and frantic riffing. "Breathing Lightning" brings the speed down and is by far the more radio-friendly track of the album with Metallica-sounding riffs and an alt-rock feel, straight out of the 90s. The next two track "Suzerain" and "Evil Twin" are more straightforward and aggressive, without loosing their catchiness. "Blood Eagle Wings" is where we slow down again, in a very alternative-sounding track, straight out of the Bush era, with the emotional strength that only Joey's voice can give. "Defend Avenge", one of the weakest moments of the album, still manages to impress with its groovy intro, even though the track falls a bit short of its initial promise. "All of them thieves" is a heavy as hell, live firestarter, "The Battle Chose Us" is typical Anthrax mosh pit material, while "Zero Tolerance" is a hell of an aggressive piece, which closes the album with the foot on the pedal, the same way the album started. A pleasant surprise from Anthrax, in an era where the other Big 4 have failed to produce anything of real substance, they are able to record their best album in decades.
92/100
Below are the music videos from "Monster at the End" and "Blood Eagle Wings"
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