According to a recent Instagram post, Anthrax is “forging new metal in an undisclosed location,” which likely means the band is working on the follow-up to 2016’s “For All Kings.” Bassist Frank Bello said the band hoped to have a new record out sometime in 2022, and drummer Charlie Benante said the new record “will span the history of our musical landscape. It’s weird and p*ssed off whatever it is.”
With good news out of the Anthrax camp, it seemed a good time for another installment of the Web Is Jericho “Underrated” series, where we take a look at 10 overlooked tunes from classic rock and metal bands. We previously looked at 10 underrated tracks from Motörhead. Have your own list of underrated Anthrax tunes? Let me know yours on Twitter: @BJLisko.
“Howling Furies” (from 1983’s “Armed And Dangerous”): The first Anthrax single ever released was “Soldiers of Metal” in 1983. Put out by the late, great Jon “Jonny Z” Zazula’s Megaforce Records, the B-side was the hard rockin’ “Howling Furies,” which wasn’t re-released until 1993. It has more of a Judas Priest/rock feel (especially in the solo) than the New York-style thrash Anthrax became known for, but it’s still a bad*ss tune. The song also features drummer Greg D’Angelo on his only Anthrax recording.
“Lone Justice” (from 1985’s “Spreading The Disease”): “Lone Justice” gets a little more love these days, especially from SiriusXM DJ and rock personality Eddie Trunk, who names it one of his favorite Anthrax tunes. Inspired by Stephen King’s “The Gunslinger,” “Lone Justice” is a cool, storytelling song with a great chorus and ripping guitar solo. “Spreading The Disease” was really the album that solidified Joey Belladonna as the voice of Anthrax, and “Lone Justice” is an example of his soaring and melodic pipes.
“Medusa” (from 1985’s “Spreading The Disease”): I debated including “Medusa” on this list, not because it isn’t a killer track, but because Anthrax has really given the song much more of a spotlight in recent years in their live set. “Medusa” sports an awesome groove and some high-pitched wails from Belladonna. This song combines the best elements of Anthrax — scorching metal, a driving, hooky riff and melodic vocals. F*cking killer track.
“In My World” (from 1992’s “Persistence of Time”): If there’s such a thing as Anthrax prog, “Persistence of Time” is about as close the band came to that genre. With longer and more complex tunes, the album took on a darker tone, and “In My World” is an impressive exercise in hard-hitting metal that doesn’t let up once in its more than six-minute run time.
“Nothing” (from 1995’s “Stomp 442”): Anthrax went through all kinds of record label turmoil in the John Bush era, so naturally this list leans a little more towards Bush-fronted material. “Stomp 442” was modern rock half a decade ahead of bands like Shinedown and Seether, and Anthrax has always been ahead of the game (sometimes to their own detriment) whether it was with rap-metal or incorporating modern sounds in with their trademark thrash. “Nothing” is simply a great four-chord rock song with some serious hooks from a massively underrated album.
“King Size” (from 1995’s “Stomp 442”): “King Size” was John Bush-era Anthrax firing on all cylinders. With a brutally heavy groove and a signature solo from Pantera’s “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, “King Size” is a relentless kick to the teeth — only much catchier.
“Catharsis” (from 1998’s “Volume 8: The Threat Is Real!”): Anthrax’s run of sh*t luck was in full swing by the time anyone had the brief chance to hear “Volume 8.” The band’s label, Ignition, folded shortly after its release, essentially making the album DOA. “Catharsis” is a driving rock tune with a cool call-and-answer style chorus. I recall an interview with guitarist Scott Ian saying something to the effect that they set the amps “AC/DC across the board,” for Catharsis. While the tune isn’t exactly derivative of AC/DC, the tones are, making it a unique and memorable Anthrax track and one of the strongest from “Volume 8.”
“Harms Way” (from 1998’s “Volume 8: The Threat Is Real!”): With it’s acoustic guitar intro and mid-paced rock vibe, “Harms Way” is one of the more unique tracks in the Anthrax canon, and it showcases the band’s diverse songwriting abilities. The lion’s roar of John Bush is on full display here in this super-infectious tune that’s well worth re-discovering.
“Ball of Confusion” (from 1999’s “Return of the Killer A’s): After the trials and tribulations of “Volume 8,” an Anthrax tour featuring both John Bush and Joey Belladonna was in the works, but fizzled for whatever reason. Prior to that, however, Bush and Belladonna appeared together on Anthrax’s cover of The Temptations’ “Ball of Confusion.” It was a cool tune, and it highlighted just how different their vocal styles are but also how they complimented one another. Any chance we could get that tour to happen now? Highly doubtful, but it’s a nice daydream.
“Any Place But Here” (from 2003’s “We’ve Come For You All”): Widely considered Anthrax’s return to form and the album that set the stage for 2011’s “Worship Music,” “We’ve Come For You All” is one of the band’s best records and certainly a contender for best Bush-fronted album. “Safe Home” is the masterpiece from this bunch and pretty well-known/appreciated, but there’s plenty of excellent material including “What Doesn’t Die,” “Refuse To Be Denied,” “Any Place But Here” and the ultra groovy and powerful “Superhero.” Bush’s vocals are in full flight, and hopefully if a tour ever materializes where he plays his old Anthrax material, this one is in the setlist.
- Rob Halford Discusses Shocking Lawsuit Against Judas Priest - May 27, 2024
- Tony Iommi Reveals If Black Sabbath Could Reunite - May 27, 2024
- Band Lifts Exact Logo From Another Band With Same Name - May 26, 2024
