Originally published by L.S. Media. September 14th 2011.

Anthrax have long been lauded as one of the big four of Thrash Metal and quite rightly so. Heavyweight albums such as Among The Living, the entertaining Spreading the Disease and Persistence of Time have guaranteed the band a healthy and fanatical following over the years.

The group haven’t released a new studio album in eight years and there was much to hope with the release of the long awaited Worship Music. Musically and sales wise they have to go a long way to hit the heights that had the band lauded for their ballsy attitude on top rated and technically superior albums of their past. Even in their own country where they sit high with the likes of Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer they haven’t enjoyed the commercial success they had with Persistence… or even 1988’s tremendous gut busting State of Euphoria.

Whilst there is a lot to like in the band’s new album, it doesn’t come across as tantalising as some of its more worthy predecessors. On paper, it has the ingredients to be a smash, if nothing else but for the return of Joey Belladonna, making his first appearance on an Anthrax album since 1990’s Persistence of Time. Something though is missing, sure it has the anger, albeit middle aged, it has the incredible guitar playing of Scott Ian but it doesn’t seem to have the belief that Slayer and more importantly Megadeth have shown to keep their bands at the very top of the game.

No doubt it will sell by the bucket load and for Thrash Metal it can only be a good thing as it may inspire other great bands to get into the much coveted big four tag that Anthrax have enjoyed for so long. The fans deserved a fantastic album to atone for eight lean years but they may have to wait just a while longer.

2 stars

Ian D. Hall