Anthrax W.C.F.Y.A.

[sixxswine]

I know, there's an Anthrax forum. I think that those folks are hardcore & are bias at times. What do you guys think of the new disc?
I picked it up today & I must say that it's a mixed bag. Kind of like their last one Vol 8. There's some great stuff on there & there's stuff that's just filler. Boy am I glad that I didn't pick up an import version then I'd really feel like I just fucked. For something that has been like five years in the making, I just wasn't all that impressed. That's just me though. What about you guys?

 

[Wicked Child]

I'm gonna have to agree with you. I'm not very impressed, either. There are some killer songs on it, then 's the filler that just brings it down so much. It's also nowhere near as thrashy as the band said it would be, save for maybe two, maybe three songs. It's OK, i guess, but surely not worth the five year wait.

 

[Fangface]

It's also a big disapointment for me...
I'd like to see John Bush leaving Anthrax to kick some ass with Armored Saint again.

 

[nafnikufesin]

As a Thrax fan that posts regularly on the Thrax board, you know my bias up front.

I picked up the import a couple months ago, and have mixed feelings about it. I love John Bush-era Thrax, and I still think that WCFYA is better than a lot of the crap that gets released nowadays, but that being said, I did expect more from this album, and I'd say it's the weakest of the four released with Bush in the band. There are some great tunes, but I think they tried too hard to be everything to everyone, and so the album lacks consistency. I would certainly be flamed on on the Thrax board for using the word "sell-out", and I don't necessarily think that they did with WCFYA, but a lot more of their songs sound like they're aiming to get some radio play, rather than just doing what they do best (granted, doing what they do best doesn't pay well in this day and age, sad to say).

I'd still say it's an album worth picking up, as there are some stand out tracks on it, but I'm afraid it's not the "classic" that the pre-release hype would have us believe.

 

[sixxswine]

As a Thrax fan that posts regularly on the Thrax board, you know my bias up front.

I picked up the import a couple months ago, and have mixed feelings about it. I love John Bush-era Thrax, and I still think that WCFYA is better than a lot of the crap that gets released nowadays, but that being said, I did expect more from this album, and I'd say it's the weakest of the four released with Bush in the band. There are some great tunes, but I think they tried too hard to be everything to everyone, and so the album lacks consistency. I would certainly be flamed on on the Thrax board for using the word "sell-out", and I don't necessarily think that they did with WCFYA, but a lot more of their songs sound like they're aiming to get some radio play, rather than just doing what they do best (granted, doing what they do best doesn't pay well in this day and age, sad to say).

I'd still say it's an album worth picking up, as there are some stand out tracks on it, but I'm afraid it's not the "classic" that the pre-release hype would have us believe.

Well put man. I agree that this disc is "better" than what is being issued by NuMetal bands....
Listen if you're in your 40's & you're pandering to everyone. One you're not being true to yourself (midlife crisis?) & second you'll confuse the audience.
I think both were achieved by Anthrax with this one. Between people, downloading the new cd, buying import versions & word of mouth. How many copies of this disc did they really expect to sell in the states? They are on Sanctuary Records. You've heard Biohazard bitching about how "they don't promote any of their bands."

 

[thespectralsorrows]

nafnikufesin wrote the definitive review of the album. Appeals to old fans, won't open any new eyes, better then average, but not a classic because its a bit unfocused.

 

[TheGraveDigger]

I think that the album kicks ass. It isn't like the greatest album ever but it certainly isn't a bad album. I think it is worth picking up. I really enjoyed it, some tunes more than others but I overall I recommend getting it.

 

[JonnyD]

Well What can I say I really like it I cant help it I'm always happy to buy a newie from an old fav. its like Seeing an old friend I think its great They didnt just go and write an album that sounds just like everything else in their catalog And shit Charlie is just Fukin Amazing Awsome druming Oh well thats what I think

 

[Mr.Torture]

I love the album. I'm very partial to Anthrax's Joey Belladonna years, but I really do enjoy this album. Not every song is among my favorites, but it has enough killer tracks to keep me satisfied, especially Safe Home and Strap It On.

 

[sixxswine]

I love the album. I'm very partial to Anthrax's Joey Belladonna years, but I really do enjoy this album. Not every song is among my favorites, but it has enough killer tracks to keep me satisfied, especially Safe Home and Strap It On.

Those are two of the four "good" tracks on that disc. I also dig "Cadillac Rockbox." How some of the people on the Thrax forum think that this is Thrax doin' southern rock is beyond me. I don't hear it. I hear a very good riff that has some bluesy sound to it. Nothing I would consider southern rock though.

 

[nafnikufesin]

I agree, Cadillac Rock Box is nowhere near southern rock. If anything, that track and Taking the Music Back sound like something that Motley Crue could have released. I'm not saying that's necessarily a bad thing, but if I wanted a Crue album, I would have bought a Crue album.

I actually thought that Safe Home, Strap It On, and Cadillac Rock Box are three of the weakest songs on the album. The chorus of Safe Home just bugs me, it's not what I want to hear when I put Anthrax in my CD player, and it's the first time in a long time that I want to hit "skip" when I have Anthrax in my player. Strap It On seems kind of immaturely written...not much substance to it.

Personally, I like WCFYA and Superhero the best. Throughout the disc, Charlie's drumming absolutely amazes, and John continues to show that he is one of the best vocalists in metal, but some less than stellar song-writing and a lack of focus keep this disc from acheiving the level of quality that I've come to expect from these guys.