Anthrax – Worship Music

10 November 2011

1. Worship
2. Earth On Hell
3. The Devil You Know
4. Fight 'Em Till You Can't
5. I'm Alive
6. Hymn No. 1
7. In The End
8. The Giant
9. Hymn No. 2
10. Judas Priest
11. Crawl
12. The Constant
13. Revolution Screams

2011 just became a lot more special for metalheads who’ve always been susceptible to Anthrax. Lo and behold, the band that couldn’t get its act together for more than half a decade have finally made good. “Worship Music” is everything you wished an Anthrax comeback album is, was, and should be. The best part isn’t so much the refreshing vitality energizing the band, but the surprise inclusion of Joey Belladonna. Sure, he’s been touring with them for years now and endeared himself to the fans again. Hearing him sing new material is different though and heightens “Worship Music”’s appeal to irresistible levels.

Sparing excess praise gravy, Joey is in fine form throughout this hour long opus. Even the less sterling cuts on “Worship Music” are extra good thanks to his powerful vocals. Getting to the meat of the album, the tastiest chunks of “Worship” are the anthemic parts, namely “The Devil You Know” and “In The End.” The latter in particular is worth repeated listens. It’s an epic mid-tempo affair driven by a martial grimness and a chorus that swims inside your head long after the last note has been struck. Being Anthrax, oddities also abound. This explains “Judas Priest,” a somewhat disjointed tribute to that most influential leather clad quintet from England.

If you’re the skullduggerous type who settles for downloads, skip the inanities and settle on “In the End,” “The Constant,” “Judas Priest,” “The Devil You Know,” “Revolution Screams” and “Fight ‘Em Till You Can’t.” The last is a thrashing mad romp that harkens to classic “Among the Living”-era Anthrax, a beautiful mix of b-movie camp and fanboy homage. What’s really striking, however, is how the band’s eclecticism brings back a lot of hallmarks from the Johm Bush era. Take “The Constant,” for example; it’s got a groovy hook that you wouldn’t miss for anything, being pure 90s Anthrax that would fit in albums like “Volume 8: the Threat Is Real” or that strange follow up to “Sound of White Noise.” The same goes for half the songs on “Worship Music.” Sure, there’s thrash in large servings but the last two decades of Anthrax are heard in grand form.

In summation, “Worship Music” culminates the Anthrax experience. It brings back tidbits form every album and delivers them fresh and exciting. The songwriting is superb, the hooks irresistible, and the sheer Anthrax power is awesome. After so many frustrated years, it’s all worth it.