First off, I know no one knows for certain, including the band members, and I know that it may not be the most popular idea among the band that we speculate about something that hasn't been decided. But since this is where we discuss all things Anthrax, I was just curious as to what the fans thought as to a) what they want from Anthrax after the reunion tour and more curiously b) what you think will actually happen with the band after the reunion tour.
What I want: I like John Bush, cool guy and great singer, but Joey Belladonna is just straight up the voice of this band. Even if he didn't write the band's classic material, his voice is so unique and full of character, and gave the band a personality that just wasn't there quite as much the last three albums. I'd also love to see Dan Spitz return. I never realized until recently how distinct his lead work is. It might not be that fair to base my entire opinion of Rob by the one album, but there was absolutely no memorable anything there. He might be talented, but in terms of creativity, it was a bore. So yeah, in a perfect world, the reunited lineup would gel again, and they would release something like from where POT left off. And I like John, so how about Saint releasing another album?
What I think will actually happen: I'll be honest, as much as I love the reunion, I'm unsure about the sincerity of it all. Scott and Charlie have always portrayed themselves as passionate guys with what they were doing, and seemed to be having a great time with the WCFYA lineup. But nowadays they seem really reserved, and going by the extra footage on the DVD, the actual live shows, and various interviews compared to how they've always been and acted, it doesn't seem like they have as much enthusiasm for this than they did with the other lineup. It seems like Frank will have fun doing whatever and Joey is having the time of his life all over again. But they don't really hold the future of the band in their hands.
Maybe I'm totally off and the only one getting this vibe, but when I read between the lines as to what S&C say about the future of the band, it seems to me like they're saying "We're going to ride this reunion tour out, but more likely than not, unless the reaction to the reunion is mindblowingly amazing, afterwards we'll go back with Bush and Caggiano for a new album. But we won't say so right now to be fair to Spitz and Belladonna and this tour." It seems like Spitz is out and Caggiano is in no matter which way they go, but it's going to be VERY interesting to see what will happen if Joey finds himself out of a job again for no other reason than his voice, which is preferred by many fans anyway. And those fans who prefer Joey, especially the ones who stuck through the John era, will feel really fucking alienated if they do the reunion and just go back to the WCFYA lineup. I know I will. I just wish the reunited five could find themselves on the same page again to take that next step in creating new music, but it just doesn't seem like that's happening based on the mixed messages. Ever since they made the vocalist change to begin with, it seems like Scott and Charlie get along with John more, think his voice is better than Joey's, and think John's voice will sell more records (particularly to the young crowd). That's a shame.
Either way, it'll be interesting to see. This sure is a complicated mess.
What I want: I like John Bush, cool guy and great singer, but Joey Belladonna is just straight up the voice of this band. Even if he didn't write the band's classic material, his voice is so unique and full of character, and gave the band a personality that just wasn't there quite as much the last three albums. I'd also love to see Dan Spitz return. I never realized until recently how distinct his lead work is. It might not be that fair to base my entire opinion of Rob by the one album, but there was absolutely no memorable anything there. He might be talented, but in terms of creativity, it was a bore. So yeah, in a perfect world, the reunited lineup would gel again, and they would release something like from where POT left off. And I like John, so how about Saint releasing another album?
What I think will actually happen: I'll be honest, as much as I love the reunion, I'm unsure about the sincerity of it all. Scott and Charlie have always portrayed themselves as passionate guys with what they were doing, and seemed to be having a great time with the WCFYA lineup. But nowadays they seem really reserved, and going by the extra footage on the DVD, the actual live shows, and various interviews compared to how they've always been and acted, it doesn't seem like they have as much enthusiasm for this than they did with the other lineup. It seems like Frank will have fun doing whatever and Joey is having the time of his life all over again. But they don't really hold the future of the band in their hands.
Maybe I'm totally off and the only one getting this vibe, but when I read between the lines as to what S&C say about the future of the band, it seems to me like they're saying "We're going to ride this reunion tour out, but more likely than not, unless the reaction to the reunion is mindblowingly amazing, afterwards we'll go back with Bush and Caggiano for a new album. But we won't say so right now to be fair to Spitz and Belladonna and this tour." It seems like Spitz is out and Caggiano is in no matter which way they go, but it's going to be VERY interesting to see what will happen if Joey finds himself out of a job again for no other reason than his voice, which is preferred by many fans anyway. And those fans who prefer Joey, especially the ones who stuck through the John era, will feel really fucking alienated if they do the reunion and just go back to the WCFYA lineup. I know I will. I just wish the reunited five could find themselves on the same page again to take that next step in creating new music, but it just doesn't seem like that's happening based on the mixed messages. Ever since they made the vocalist change to begin with, it seems like Scott and Charlie get along with John more, think his voice is better than Joey's, and think John's voice will sell more records (particularly to the young crowd). That's a shame.
Either way, it'll be interesting to see. This sure is a complicated mess.
