But...you mentioned in another post that Anthrax would sell more records by returning to their thrash roots. If that is a correct statement then I can't see how it can be aruged that the band is "playing it safe" with WM, not commercially at least. Thoughts?
Thats the exact thing... I really do think they would sell a lot more albums if they returned to their Thrash roots. But that being said if for some reason this new album was able to successfully cross them over to more of the hard rock audience (like metallica did) they would then have the possibility of selling a lot more albums than if they did the Trash metal album.
The problem for them is that to this point that hasn't really happened. They really haven't broken into the mainstream and grabbed the attention of the audience that listens to godsmack, avenged sevenfold, shinedown, seether, disturbed etc. They had a small moment with "Safe Home" and "Only" was big for a minute. But nothing has stuck.
So my my point is yes I think they would sell more with a classic Thrash Metal album that kicked the ass of everyone. But there is a cap as to how many albums they would sell and it would alienate them from the mainstream audience. So they want to continue to try and tap into the hard rock audience and hopefully finally break through and 'blow up'. I just don't see that happening with them. If that was going to happen in was going to have happened with SOWN or even WCFYA. But obviously those fans they gained with the change in sound didn't really stick with them the way their label had hoped. It also has polarized many of the O.G. Anthrax Thrash era fans like myself.
With thrash metal they could maybe sell 30-50k albums or so. Which in this day in age is not all that bad. If they can break into the mainstream hard rock audience they could do WAY more than that. But I don't see it happening. I foresee them selling an initial bunch of albums from the hype of Joey being back, the marketing of "a return to their roots" etc. But don't see them breaking open and going huge like they are hoping. I think the fans that are going to buy this are the ones that have seen them at the big 4 shows, Jaegermiester tours and are expecting to hear thrash metal. they aren't going to be too happy imo.
But hey more power to them and if they do happen to get that break trough they have been trying then god bless them. Hopefully if that happens they can make a fuck bucks and continue to put out new music.
I'd personally love to hear them do at least 1 more Thrash Metal album before they retire. Scott and Charlie are going to have to let their business side go and just go out and kick ass like they used to do and then if people want to buy it they will.
Sorry for this long post, i am a bit lost at what I was even talking about
I am 36, so it's good to know people appreciate one's lighthearted spirit. I meant no offense to those who like Ulrich a lot, so I truly apologize if that was the case with you-I just honestly laughed at that comment. Take care!
