Album review: ANTHRAX – For All Kings
Nuclear Blast [Release date 26.02.16]
I will admit it has been awhile since I heard an Anthrax album right through, although I was a big fan back in their 80′s period when thrash metal was at its commercial peak. This is the band’s first album since 2011′s ‘Worship Music’, although they did release a covers EP in-between. This album also marks the full recording debut of Jonathan Donais (Shadows Fall), the covers EP aside.
The album starts with the pomp laden intro ‘Impaled’ before ‘You Gotta Believe’, a classic piece of Anthrax at their more trad metal end of their sound. Those after a quick dandruff shaker will love the frantic beats of ‘Monster At The End’ and the next song, ‘For All Kings’ – Charlie Benante drums as if his life depended upon it!
Now the one song that I urge even those who would not normally touch Anthrax with a musical barge pole, is ‘Breathing Lightning’. Anthrax go melodic prog rock anyone? The vocal harmonies would not look out of place on an album from say Journey, whilst the verses maintain the band’s trademark heaviness and the outro verges into prog rock/Rush. The song segues into ‘Breathing Out’, quite possibly one of the mellowest things the band have ever done.
The band hark back to their classic 80′s sound on ‘Evil Twin’, the guitars on this one are stunning. Both Scott Ian and Jonathan Donais creating a wall of razor sharp riffs. Lyrically the band don’t shy away from topicality as this one is a reaction to the Paris attacks. Proof on this on that Joey Belladonna has lost none of his vocal power and delivery.
It is very heartening to see not only long standing bands like Anthrax still producing new music, but more importantly music that is as good as, and at times better than, their classic era. Listening to this has tweaked my interest in all things thrash and metal again. ****
Review by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Next session: Sunday 1 December
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024
ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)
Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections