Check out the live review of the reunion show at Nottingham Rock City featured in UK magazine Terrorizer June 2006 issue -
In PR terms, the reunion of the 80's 'classic' 80's Anthrax line-up has been perhaps the most spectacularly mishandled in metal history. All that they've worked for and achieved over the last fifteen years has been wiped out at a stroke, and for what? So that they can become their own tribute band? In his defence, Scott Ian said that former vocalist John Bush was invited to 'take part' in this Las Vegas-style nostalga trip but that Bush "Didn't want to be part of it." That is disingenious to say the least and disregards Bush's self-respect and pride in his time fronting the band. Not confirming, not denying, ruling nothing in, ruling nothing out, Ian's defensive posture and 'can't comment at this stage' attitude betrayed his discomfort with Bush's shabby treatment and the anger it stirred in some fans. Furthermore, in as much as any outsider can do the maths - or hazzard an educated guess - it doesn't look like sacrificing their credibility wil have been worth the money either. In the 1980's, this line-up were playing better shows in bigger audiences. But Anthrax apparently felt that they should be on bills such as Ozzfest, to be 'relevant' to the 'kids' again, but the only way they could do it was to take Sharon's pieces of silver and - oh the irony - become irrelevant in the process. Anthrax 2006 are an obsolete proposition, dragged into the same time warp where Joey Belladonna & Dan Spitz have been living since 1992. In the dash to reinstate the pair, the slagging they got after being ousted first time around has been convieniently forgotten. Despite patchy sound and the fact Belladonna is a liability on stage, the Anthrax retro show goes over well enough, but there can be no going back. Only a storming new studio album can eradicate the stench of blatant opportunism here, and when that moment of truth arrives, they'll be working with a weaker line-up than before.
Damien
In PR terms, the reunion of the 80's 'classic' 80's Anthrax line-up has been perhaps the most spectacularly mishandled in metal history. All that they've worked for and achieved over the last fifteen years has been wiped out at a stroke, and for what? So that they can become their own tribute band? In his defence, Scott Ian said that former vocalist John Bush was invited to 'take part' in this Las Vegas-style nostalga trip but that Bush "Didn't want to be part of it." That is disingenious to say the least and disregards Bush's self-respect and pride in his time fronting the band. Not confirming, not denying, ruling nothing in, ruling nothing out, Ian's defensive posture and 'can't comment at this stage' attitude betrayed his discomfort with Bush's shabby treatment and the anger it stirred in some fans. Furthermore, in as much as any outsider can do the maths - or hazzard an educated guess - it doesn't look like sacrificing their credibility wil have been worth the money either. In the 1980's, this line-up were playing better shows in bigger audiences. But Anthrax apparently felt that they should be on bills such as Ozzfest, to be 'relevant' to the 'kids' again, but the only way they could do it was to take Sharon's pieces of silver and - oh the irony - become irrelevant in the process. Anthrax 2006 are an obsolete proposition, dragged into the same time warp where Joey Belladonna & Dan Spitz have been living since 1992. In the dash to reinstate the pair, the slagging they got after being ousted first time around has been convieniently forgotten. Despite patchy sound and the fact Belladonna is a liability on stage, the Anthrax retro show goes over well enough, but there can be no going back. Only a storming new studio album can eradicate the stench of blatant opportunism here, and when that moment of truth arrives, they'll be working with a weaker line-up than before.
Damien
would you like a 
