Anthrax - Anthems

Anthrax – Anthems
2013, Megaforce Records

Anthrax might just be the most storied metal band to ever come out of New York City.  Contemporaries of Slayer, Megadeth and Metallica, Anthrax have been a heavy metal force over the past 30+ years.  With ten albums and numerous world tours under their belt, entire generations of metal musicians owe at least part of their musical lineage to Anthrax.  The events of the past few years have been surprising, not the least of which is the return of long time front man Joey Belladonna to the fold.  Anthrax is currently preparing for their eleventh album, to be released later in 2013.  For now the band has released an eight song EP entitled Anthems, comprised of six classic rock covers and one original song in two versions.

The idea of a cover project seems anathema to a band like Anthrax, but in the end it turns out to be a rather pleasant surprise.  The EP kicks off with a vibrant cover of “Anthem” (Rush).  Anthrax treats the song with reverence, kicking it out with energy, power and a distinctive precision that does the original proud.  “T.N.T. (AC/DC)” is a rollicking good time.  Things get a bit surreal with the cover of “Smokin’” (Boston), with Anthrax quite possibly bettering the original.  And while they don’t quite surpass the originators of “Keep On Runnin’” (Journey), they certainly give the current formulation of that band a run for their money.  Cheap Trick’s “Big Eyes” gets a wonderfully dark reading, and “Jailbreak” (Thin Lizzy) is full of all the mischief of the original.  Anthrax winds up with the original tune “Crawl” in its original form as well as in the “Orc Remix”.  The song is well-crafted and much more pop oriented than previous work by Anthrax, but positions them well for a potentially huge comeback in 2013.

Anthrax is surprisingly supple and graceful in covering some major hits of 1970’s and early 1980’s rock and roll.  Anthems is a cover project, but Anthrax manages to show off some very subtle yet distinctive changes in musical personality.  Anthems is thoroughly enjoyable, and Joey Belladonna’s voice is amazing.  Hard core fans of the band might be a bit taken aback by the sound of Anthems, but there is no doubt that this metal for the masses.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more at www.anthrax.com.

Metallica/Slayer/Megadeth/Anthrax: The Big Four

Metallica/Slayer/Megadeth/Anthrax: The Big Four

2010, WB Records

Metallica.  Slayer.  Megadeth.  Anthrax.

These four bands, dubbed The Big Four, are the foundation of thrash metal and all of the musical tendrils that have shot fourth from the movement born in the 1980's.  Despite their shared roots, it wasn't until the summer of 2010 when the four bands actually shared the same stage for a string of seven European concert dates.  One of those dates, a June 22, 2010 concert is Sofia, Bulgaria was beamed to movie theaters across Europe and around the United States in high definition, providing an opportunity for those who would never dream of making the trans-Atlantic trip a chance to be a part of history.  On November 2, 2010, Warner Brothers Records releases a 3-DVD/Blueray set of the show as well as a limited edition package that captures both the video and complete audio of the show (on 5CDs) with extras.  To put it bluntly, The Big Four is your favorite metal head's dream come true. 

The first DVD in the set covers Anthrax (CD1), Megadeth (CD2) and Slayers (CD3).  Each set is approximately one hour and features some of the best known hits from each band.  Each set features some of the best known songs of each band delivered in high definition with blistering sound.  Anthrax lets loose with tracks such as "Caught In A Mosh", "Antisocial", "Only" and "I Am The Law", as well as a cover of Joe Jackson's "Got The Time".  Megadeth steps up with "Holy Wars...Punishment Due", "Hangar 18", "Head Crusher", "Trust", "Sweating Bullets" And "Symphony Of Destruction", amongst others.  Slayer blows what's left of the roof off with hits such as "Jihad", "War Ensemble", "Angel Of Death", ""Chemical Warfare" and the Grammy nominated "Disciple".

The second DVD (CD4 and CD5) feature the masters of metal themselves, Metallica.  The headliners of the show are bit more clean cut than they were back in the 1980's, and age may have mellowed their respective personas, but on-stage they still rock out like nobody's business.  Hits such as "Creeping Death", "Heavers Of Sorrow", "Cyanide" and "Sad But True" are worth every penny, but as Metallica enters the second half of their set they raise their game.  The version of "One" offered here is absolutely classic, with all of the raw energy that exploded from the original.  "Master Of Puppets" likewise seems to find the band recapturing their glory days.  "Nothing Else Matters" and "Enter Sandman" don't seem as out of place in the catalogue as they did upon their initial release and the closing triumvirate of "Am I Evil?", "Hit The Lights" and "Seek And Destroy" simply are not for the faint of heart.

The Big Four preserves an once-in-a-lifetime concert in high definition video and sound.  Folks who missed the thrash metal movement may not get it, but there isn't a band working today who refers to themselves as heavy metal or something-core who doesn't owe their livelihoods to at least one of the four bands featured.  Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax all helped build the foundations for thrash metal, but it was Metallica that turned thrash metal into an international conspiracy that was accessible to more traditional music fans by building the bridge that helped the form cross over into the mainstream with their ground-breaking The Black Album.  Hard core fans will have to have the "Super Deluxe" box set, which includes the DVDs, 5 CDs capturing the complete audio of the show, a 24-page book, a poster, band photos and a collectable guitar pick.  Whichever way you go, you'll be purchasing a record of rock history.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

 Learn more about Metallica at http://www.metallica.com/.  Learn more about Megadeth at http://www.megadeth.com/.  Learn more about Slayer at http://www.slayer.net/.  Learn more about Anthrax at http://www.anthrax.com/.  Metallica/Slayer/Megadeth/Anthrax: The Big Four drops on November 2, 2010.  You can order the set on DVD, Blu-Ray, or as the Super Deluxe Box Set from Amazon.com.

Review: Mower/Slower - Make It A Double

Mower/Slower - Make It A Double
2009, Suburban Noize Records

San Diego's Mower is a fixture on the Southern California Punk scene, mixing humorous, sarcastic and intelligent lyrics with some of the bruising hard rock you'll find. Slower is the alter-ego of Mower, a Trippy Jazz/Lounge act that reinterprets Mower songs as Lounge classics. Both personae are on display on Make It A Double, Mower's most recent album, which features nine new Punk originals and six Lounge reinterpretations of Mower songs. With guest appearances from Rob Caggiano (Anthrax), Mikey Doling (Snot), Roy Mayorga (Stone Sour) and Fernando Apodaca (Mad Juana), and production from Eddie Wohl (Anthrax, Dry Kill Logic, 36 Crazyfists), long time fans are sure to be pleased with the sound of the originals while Make It A Double opens the doors to a whole new fan base.

Make It A Double opens with The Party, a shot across the bow of Hollywood's excess and celebrity-soaked society. The song rocks like nobody's business and calls out the Celeberati in no uncertain terms. Mower attacks the social structure of American society on Wolves, bemoaning the fact that power brokers rob, cheat and steal to become richer while children go hungry. The anger here is real and representative of the questions being asked by a new generation of people all around the world right now. Shneak is built around a filthy guitar riff I wish I had thought of and paints a picture of the sort of friend nobody needs. The Song We Don't Speak Of follows the South Park credo of offending everyone as it takes a shot at pretty much every major religious belief system you can name. People of faith will hear this song as sacrilege, although the humorous approach of the song would suggest it's aimed more at the hypocrisy of some of the faithful rather than the beliefs themselves. Sicko takes a speed-metal axe to the current state of the healthcare system by showing how the Hippocratic Oath can be twisted to invert its stated purpose.

Mower begins its Slower metamorphosis with the straight-forward Funk/Rock tune Faded. The musicality of the band is plainly on display here; stripped of serious amplification, distortion and screams. The respect I had already developed for the band simply grew as the album progressed, particularly hearing what might be termed some sweet harmonies here. Road Rage plays like an Alt-Rock gem; Mower/Slower could have a major hit on their hands with this one. The utter power of the bass line on Pieces becomes even clearer in this acoustic draw down; serving as an equal partner with vocalists Brian Sheerin and Dominic Moscatello. The harmonies on Pieces are as sweet as honey while retaining a minor-key edge that makes you wish they would just keep singing. Undone takes on a social justice leaning in addressing the power of government and society to restrict people's ideas and actions through both direct and indirect means. U Turn gives bassist Chris McCredie another chance to show off, giving the song a rhythmic life that is picked up by the other instruments and the vocalists and carried throughout. Shut Up And Skate completes the transition, as Mower has turned completely into Slower, an ultra-hip Punk/Jazz outfit on good behavior (barely). The guitar work of Greg Russell is particularly notable here as he provides fills and frills that complete the sonic texture of the song. Mower returns for a brief untitled epilogue that reprises the Aliens concept while reminding listeners that the rock isn't gone.

Mower brings a distinctive mix of sounds on Make It A Double. The humor and wit of the band are matched by the intelligent and compelling ideas they put forth in their songs and the serious musicality they bring to the table. Make It A Double is the best Punk/Metal album of 2009 (so far), and the acoustic/lounge treatment of some of their best known songs is a real treat. Mower works as a Punk act because when you strip them down to their most basic elements this is one incredibly talented band. If you like to bang your head with the best AND swing with the cool cats, then Mower/Slower is for you. Make It A Double is an essential listen, a Wildy's World Certified Desert Island Disc. Get it. Now.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Mower at http://www.mowermusic.com/ or www.myspace.com/mower. You can purchase a copy of Make It A Double at Amazon.com, or you can download the album from iTunes.

Review: Sonic Bliss - Loved To Death

Sonic Bliss - Loved To Death
2008, Sonic Bliss

Sonic Bliss was born of five New York City music scene vets and one newcomer. The band seeks to bring old school classic rock into the twenty first century with smart lyrics, powerful songwriting and an explosive stage show. Vocalist Rene Berrios sounds like the ideal rock and roll front man, with a big powerful voice that can soar as easily as growl; Two lead guitarists, Roger Petersen and Kerry Christian Agnew give the band a Styx-like guitar sound, and Glenn Roberts and Charlie Martinez make up one of the tightest rhythm sections in Rock N Roll. Band members have individually played with or opened for Joan Jett, Mountain, Dee Snider/Twisted Sister, Ike and Tina Turner, Anthrax, Rick Derringer and Smokey Robinson, among others. Sonic Bliss itself has shared a stage with Winger, Black 47, Richie Havens, Cactus, Blue Oyster Cult and Savoy Brown. Sonic Bliss has built a reputation as one of the finest classic-rock style bands New York has seen. With Loved To Death, Sonic Bliss looks to propel themselves into a higher orbit. It just might work.

Loved To Death opens with Sahara, a big, strutting guitar rock tune that is at times reminiscent of Metallica. Aside from the big guitar work this song has a strong melody and a certain melancholy chutzpah that can not be denied. Far Cry takes off on a tear built of great guitar hooks and an outstanding vocal performance. This song sounds like post-Dennis DeYoung Styx material and is one of the better songs on the album. Better Days is a big acoustic anthem that allows the listener a bit of respite before the explosive hook that opens Home Again bends your mind. Home Again explores the human capacity for greed; the constant need for more and more. The song is full of great harmonies and a vibrant guitar part that very much moves the song along. Babe I'm Dying brings some 1970's funk into the mix, complete with horn section. Not to lay on the Styx references too much, but if you know ever heard Lonely People you'll know exactly what sound I'm talking about here.

It's not so much that Sonic Bliss sounds like anyone in particular, although the Styx and Metallica references have some real weight. It's more that Sonic Bliss engages on a musical playground that so many great bands have visited before. At the end of the day Sonic Bliss has a sound all their own, and that comes across nicely on Dead Sea Of Love, which is probably the best song on Loved To Death. Berrios is absolutely at the top of his game here, and Lea steps forward to the mic as a foil on the chorus to deliver a devastating aural counterpunch. The woman has pipes. In My Dreams opens with an organ interlude that segues into a roiling, angst filled guitar bank. The dark tone and themes roll away into sunlight for just Berrios and church-style organ. In My Dreams comes across as almost prayerfully introspective.

Nail In My Heart with a gypsy-sounding violin dancing along to a plaintive acoustic guitar part with Berrios singing over the top. This is perhaps the most emotionally powerful song on the album, and Lea again joins in to counterpoint Berrios. Save My Soul is an angry, anxious and ultimately desperate plea buried in driven guitars and seismic rhythms. Seven Days is a wonderfully dark rocker with religious overtones and some really unusual guitar work. From a pure Prog perspective this might be the most memorable song on Loved To Death, as it spirals almost out-of-control to its end. As an added bonus there's a live version of Stevie Wonder's Superstitious that will absolutely knock your socks off.

Sonic Bliss uses the concept album format album to drive home eleven powerful songs centered on themes of religion, redemption, belief and the infallibility of human imperfection. Prog/Arena rock fans you've been waiting for this one. Loved To Death brings retro-1970's hard rock into the twenty-first century with a glorious, resounding bang. Check out Loved To Death and see why Sonic Bliss have become almost legendary on the New York scene. You won't be disappointed.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Sonic Bliss at http://www.sonicbliss.net/, where you can purchase a copy of Loved To Death.