A review on the SFMETAL board......
From Wretch
here's how it went for me,
ANTHRAX
San Francisco
The Pound
January 21, 2006
Among The Living
Metal Thrashing Mad
Got The Time
Caught In A Mosh
A.I.R.
Keep It In The Family
Skelleton In The Closet
Antisocial
N.F.L.
Medussa
Indians
----------------------
ENCORE:
Be All, End All
Madhouse
I Am The Law
The last recollection yours truly had of the Belladonna/Ian/Spitz/Bello/Benante line up of ANTHRAX, they looked like a band that had been on the road too long. Known for their energetic shows, they could barely keep up with PUBLIC ENEMY as both acts played a double bill at the Kaiser in Oakland. Then, as most of you know, that lineup changed as Joey Belladonna was replaced with Jon Bush and later lead guitarist Dan Spitz left the group and that era of ANTHRAX was a closed chapter.
That was then, now that lineup has reformed for a reunion tour, amongst some criticism from fans and media of how the band is "cashing in for the nostalgia" or how the band left Mr. Bush out in the cold. While, we could debate for days the moral issues of the reunion, there is still the question if the reunited ANTHRAX can still cut it live and could they reconjure the spark the band once had.
Weather it be Joey Belladonna or Jon Bush, as customary, the show began with the "Blues Brothers theme" then, "Among The Living" right out of the box followed by the only Neil Turbin song ("Metal Thrashing Mad") of the evening. What put an early damper was the mix from the soundboard. Belladonna and Bello were fine, but you barely hear the duo of Ian and Spitz.
Karma is a strong presence and you had to wonder if it had taken a turn more downward when Belladonna greeted the crowd and refered to them as Oakland (when we were in San Francisco.) Regardless what this reviewer thought, the crowd ate it up. It was a slow rite to approval, but eventually it was sinking in. "The hits" ("Caught In A Mosh," "Antisocial," "N.F.L.") took over the setlist and looking over at the original composers of that material, it was 1985-1990 again. Despite some appearance difference with hair (on their head and facial,) the band looked like the live monster they were in the eighties and they weren't going through the motions. They actually looked like they were enjoying themselves also.
Sure some songs were tuned down and there was the annoying wah effects Spitz encorperated on some solos, but the band's enthusiasm was genuine and so was the Bay Area crowd that paid to see this show. One of the most memorable moments of the show was pit circle doing the wardance during "Indians." One of more funnier was watching Belladonna try and stay note for note during the encore of "Be All, End All" after he and Bello witnessed a heavy proportioned female passed by "The Sea Of Hands" and flop over the barricade (yes, she was okay :lol ) Every time Belladonna tried to sing a lyric, more laughter ensued.
It must be noted that the band was without drummer Charlie Benante who flew back to be with his wife who gave birth to a baby girl. The drum duties were handled by SHADOWS FALL skinsman Jason Bittner who did a solid job. It almost like Benante was back there himself (well, it helps to have his kit.) "Madhouse" and "I Am The Law" finished up the encores and Ian promised, "The sickest new ANTHRAX album you ever heard!"
I guess, that means they're back for good...........
I like the new guitar that Danny has.
