 ANTHRAX
Antrology: No Hit Wonders 1985-1991 CD & DVD
Island Records 2005
www.anthrax.com
Read the Belladonna interview
(2005) & (2004)
Read the John Bush interview (2003)
Live Anthrax pics (2005) & (2003)
What’s the 4-1-1?
To mark their 20th Anniversary, Anthrax dusts off their back catalog & past
members to deliver their history of thrash (their touring with the
classic line-up too). The CD is a 30 song, double disc collection
that chronicles the Joey Belladonna years of the group. The DVD is
comprised of all the videos from that era (in 5.1 sound). Sold separately.
Genre
Thrash / speed metal / hard rock / metal
The Good
They may call this collection No Hit Wonders, but any self-respecting classic
metal fan knows there’s plenty of ‘hits’ here. One of the
best parts is that the songs are chronological. That’s the best way
to hear their progress and development as a band. Disc 1 covers Anthrax’s
first two (complete) albums plus a couple of EP tracks. A traditional chugga-chugga
riff accented by power chords defines “Madhouse”. Belladonna’s
high-pitched vocal delivery fits right in. The drum beats drown out the monster
riffage on “The Enemy”, while arpeggios help layer “Armed
and Dangerous”; although we all know it takes a metal thrashing turn
for the brutal.
I don’t know about you, but I miss the long instrumental
introductions like the one on “Among the Living”. They just make
the song sound so grand as it builds to a frenzy. “Caught in a Mosh” is
the perennial “pit’ anthem. “I Am the Law” is about
Judge Dredd (the comic book character, not the horrible Rob Schneider movie—I
think Stallone was in that too). Of that particular time period, “Indians” was
probably the signature song for the group. Not many people thought that metal
heads had half a brain to even care. The song has a thought-provoking message
as well as blistering riffs and tribal drum beats. It makes you want to lose
control when Joey hits, “WAR DANCE!” “I’m the Man” was
a gag at first, but seemed to take off, and established Anthrax as the first
metal bands to incorporate rap music.
Disc 2 focuses on the last two Belladonna-era albums plus the Attack of
the Killer B’s release and Penikufesin EP. Maybe it was because metal
was becoming more mainstream at the time, or maybe it was because Anthrax’s
recording budget was much larger, but songs like “Antisocial” and “Who
Cares Wins” had great rock radio appeal and a polished sound. This
is where the band was heading anyway, so I guess it was natural. “Belly
of the Beast” has some great guitar work, as well as a catchy chorus
section. It almost feels as if you’re falling into the fiery pits of
hell.
Anthrax’s cover of Joe Jackson’s “Got the Time” is
a perfect fit for the speed metal masters, although Scott Ian has admitted
that Jackson does it faster. “Bring Tha Noise” (w/Public Enemy)
is probably where most metal fans thought Anthrax had officially sold out.
Even though they had already done “I’m the Man”, this particular
track was done in all seriousness instead of in jest. If was a huge hit and
spawned the whole rap/rock revolution, but may have cost the band a lot of
their fans. I am impressed that they still perform this one live. I’m
not really a liner notes kind of guy, but it would do you good to read them.
The DVD has its good points and bad points. You are getting 13 music videos,
but most of them are live performances. “Metal Thrashing Mad” is
from a rare performance in Germany when Anthrax opened for Overkill and Agent
Steel. “Armed & Dangerous”, “Among the Living”, “Caught
in a Mosh”, “I Am the Law”, and “I’m the Man” are
all from a live performance in England. A couple of them were the actual
videos on MTV.
“Mad House” was and probably still is the band’s
best video (and first). MTV rejected the initial cut because they thought
the group was making fun of the mentally disabled. You get both versions. “Who
Cares Wins” is one of those ‘down on your luck’ videos
shot in black and white. The video for “Got the Time” doesn’t
really make much sense, and you know they couldn’t forget the video
that was played ad-nauseam on MTV for weeks on end, “Bring Tha Noise”.
Be sure to watch the video commentaries with the reunited group to get all
the dirt and trivia behind the music and videos.
The Bad
I guess this makes The Greater of Two Evils kind of pointless. Also, I’m
a John Bush fan (but I won’t let that effect the review).
The Verdict
As far as the CD goes, this is the most complete set of Belladonna-era Anthrax
material ever. Some might say this was their defining and most impactful
years, so it may behoove you to pick this one up. If you want a history
lesson in classic metal thrash, look no further than No Hit Wonders. Although
the DVD only boasts 13 videos, the insightful commentaries make up for
the lack of quantity. You’re still getting every video they made
with Belladonna, and you’re getting a window into the evolution of
a band; in music and appearance.
Did You Know?
The Among the Living album was mixed in the Bahamas. The band figured since
Iron Maiden did Piece of Mind down there, then why not them?
Rating:  out
of 5 (for both)
Related Reviews:
Anthrax - The Greater of Two Evils
Anthrax - We've Come for You All
--George Dionne
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