Anthrax Played Last Night…

[andvari7]

…And I Have Some Complaints

Good Morning,

After a shit day at work, thanks to (IMPO) the childish impatience, not to mention incompetence, of a certain tech company, I had to hotfoot it to my house, to get a Lyft to the venue where Anthrax, Black Label Society and Exodus were playing last night. Here, now, is a breakdown:

1. The Sylvee security and staff did their best to speed along the meet and greets, but they couldn’t open the doors until well after the 5p time listed on the ticket. It was a particularly windy day, which cut through everything. It’s January, so it was cold, albeit mild, for this part of the world.

2. I have mentioned that I generally like The Sylvee’s layout, but the merch stand and coat check booth could both be a few feet further into the building, so as not to exacerbate any choke points.

3. Exodus killed. Good friendly, violent fun. I am still amazed by how fluidly Gary Holt plays, especially when compared to the rest of the band.

4. Speaking of Holt, he played a couple of nice custom ESPs - the Crowley-inspired graphics, drawn by his tattoo artist, in his (Holt’s) blood, and his blue and gold Officer Holt guitar.

5. I admit that I know nothing of BLS’s catalog, so I wasn’t into them. Zakk and Dario, the other guitarist, had a different guitar for nearly every song, like a Joe Bonamassa concert, but all Wylde Audio guitars, which are mostly hideous, except for the Blood Eagle model (a corrupted Explorer), and the V that you can’t get.

6. At one point, Zakk and Dario dueled, while playing behind their heads. What was most impressive, was that they pulled it off musically, as opposed to just making noises.

7. Zakk in a damn kilt…

8. Once again, Anthrax employed a substitute drummer, and Charlie Benante was not present. I think they should advertise that fact. This drummer, who was not Jon Dette (Dette plays a reversed kit, like Exodus’ Tom Hunting), added unnecessary fills.

9. Anthrax generally starts with Among The Living, and this was no exception. Next was Caught In A Mosh, which was a brutal pit. Then Madhouse…

10. Something happened in the crowd during Madhouse. I don’t know what it was, but security opened up the pit, and all activity ceased. I suspect Joey saw the whole thing, but he didn’t miss a beat.

11. Speaking of Joey Belladonna, while he can’t do Armed and Dangerous every song, he can do the bulk of the Anthrax catalog, and do it well. Not bad for a 62-year-old man, who sings in a very difficult range.

12. The only slip-up was during Got The Time, and that was a mic issue.

13. I was disappointed with the setlist. With the exception of Only and the first lyrics of Bring Tha Noize, it was a greatest hits setlist. While my ideal setlist would consist of most of Persistence of Time, Gung-Ho, Mosh, and other deep cuts, I recognize that I am a fringe minority, in that regard.

14. This is the 40th Anniversary tour, which should have been conducted in 2021. For obvious reasons, they’re finishing it now. I have an autographed print, which mentions it. Obviously, it’s autographed by the four members present.

15. I’m going to double back to Charlie: If this is about that Pantera tribute tour, then I call bullshit. Zakk Wylde did the show, on the same tour, with no issues.

16. Speaking of Pantera, In The End is a tribute to lost friends, specifically Dimebag Darrell, Ronnie James Dio, and, later, Vinnie Paul. In keeping with the tribute, Scott Ian played a custom Jackson King V, in a Dime Slime finish, with the word Baldini (presumably, a nickname from Dime), in the style of the Pantera logo, on the neck.

17. For Keep It In The Family, he used a King V, in a checkerboard finish, presumably like Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick.

All in all, a good show, not a great one. If my day hadn’t been a masterclass in patience, I’d probably have been in a better mood. And have eaten a less disappointing early dinner.

Thank you.

[Murdoch]

I’d love to see Anthrax again, The only time I ever saw them was in the John Bush era on the Stomp 442 tour with Pantera. They sounded good that night but not the strongest era for Anthrax, even though I do like some of the Stomp 442 record.

Never saw them with Joey. I’d love to. Worship Music is one of my favorite records ever, and a lot of that is due to Joey’s vocals.

Persistence of Time is what it is. Thrash masterpiece, IMO.

[Harvest]

RE: point 5. I saw a "stage played guitar VIP package" thing on the BLS facetube so that's likely part of why they changed guitars every song. There are a few different tunings they use too of course.

[JiveTurkey]

I saw Anthrax, oh; at least twice? Once on Clash of the Titans and then once with John Bush. There might have been another date in there but I don't believe so? I'd love to see a fan picked setlist from them. Never ending Blabbermouth comments section criticism of them is spot on. No. One. Want. To. Hear. Antisocial or Got the Time.

[andvari7]

Exactly. Mix it up. I want One Man Stands, I want Invisible, Who Cares Wins, You Gotta Believe, and A Skeleton In The Closet. I also recognize that, in my original post, I called Caught In A Mosh a deep cut. Yeah, no: It’s their biggest hit. It needs to be there, because of the pit.