Anthrax

Anthems

MRI/Megaforce, 2013

With this most recent collection of covers, Anthrax has produced an infinitely likable and highly listenable tribute to 1977 hard rock radio.

Kicking off hard with “Anthem,” which is also the lead track from Rush’s 1975 ‘Fly by Night,’ they prove up to the task and tackle some of rock’s trickier musicians to mimic. Vocalist Joey Belladonna shows he’s got lots of years and range yet left on his vocal chords.

They take AC/DC’s “TNT’ head on, and while it’s fun, you almost wish the band had dug deeper into a less well known, (or at least well worn), song to cover. It’s interesting to hear the band be so restrained; in particular, drummer Charlie Benatante, known for his over the top playing, stays true Phil Rudd’s simple approach.

Thin Lizzy’s “Jailbreak,” and Boston’s “Smokin’,” are great fun as they are largely overlooked bands when it comes time for others to pay respect. The band goes the extra distance on “Smokin;” with the addition of keyboards, courtesy of the legendary Fred Mandel, who has played with everyone, just flip your records over and check.

The stand out track here though is their take on Cheap Trick’s “Big Eyes.”  Famously found on the classic Live at Budokan, Anthrax do the song justice and are having a blast playing it. That perfect sense of melody, with just the right amount of drive and distortion makes this song irresistible.

The band doesn’t take too many liberties with the covers as the have in the past and play it surprisingly straight. Classic rock DJ’s should work these versions into the rotation and goose their listeners out of their audio torpor.

The EP closes with 2 versions of “Crawl,” originally from Worship Music, and remixed here. This was probably meant to be a one off sort of release, but for many it will be the moment they begin to reconsider Anthrax as suddenly having much more to say.