JULY 29th, 2022
40TH ANNIVERSARY: ANTHRAX

Review/Photos By: Joshua Alvarez
http://www.metaltitans.com/concertpics/40th-anniversary-anthrax/

On the third day of the tour Anthrax makes their way to The Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, CA. Anthrax is celebrating 40 years as a band to a sold out crowd. The almighty Hatebreed opens up the show with "Proven" from their third album “ Perseverance”. Jamey’s punchy vocals take control of crowd as the room starts to fill up with metal heads from all over Los Angeles. Hatebreed plays a lengthy set that contains all of their hits and ending the set with one of their biggest songs “ Looking Down The Barrel of Today”. As the smell of alcohol and sweat begin to consume the room, the always amazing Black Label Society is about to take the stage.

With a backdrop of sky high amps stacked from one side of the stage to the other, Zack Wylde comes out to a pumped up crowd that is waiting for their faces to be melted. The sound must have been cranked up 20 for this set because you can just feel the bass reverberate throughout your body. Opening the set with Funeral Bell with Zacks grungy vocals that sound better than ever while jamming on the guitar with a power stance unlike anyone else, pressed up against his skull filled mic. Dario , Jeff and John filling up the room with sounds that you can hear all throughout Hollywood. Halfway through the set Zack Wylde takes a break from head banging and ripping on the guitar to trad it for the piano to play a tribute to Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul with the song “ In This River” .  A beautiful tribute that had the full attention of the crowd but it wasnt before long that Zack got back to center stage to take hold of his guitar and mic to continue tearing up the palladium. About halfway into “ Fire It Up “ Zack and Dario have a guitar duel that has Zack standing high and mighty on the piano while Dario was across the stage battling. Guitars behind their heads, hitting every guitar note without a miss made for an entertaining guitar solo between the two. Without surprise, BLS ended the set with their biggest song “ Stillborn” that began with a guitar solo from Zack. Nothing but a loud and rambunctious crowd that cheered BLS for their amazing hour long set. As the stage goes dark, stage hands work as fast as they can to put together the stage for Anthrax. A giant drape is dropped in front of the stage so that when Anthrax comes out, it will be a surprise. Before Anthrax goes on a video is played about how influential Anthrax is to music from Chuck D ( Public Enemy) to Kerry King (Slayer).

ANTHRAX, ANTHRAX, ANTHRAX is being chanted and the drape is dropped and Anthrax comes out with a bang and does not stop with continuous hits. From “ Caught in a Mosh “ to “ I Am The Law “ were all part of the amazing set belted out by the ever so amazing Joey Belladonna. Scott Ian, Charlie, Frank and Jon are all holding together better than ever and delivering that Anthrax sound that we all know and love. Anthrax sounded tight with a whole lot of punch that made you aware that Thrash is alive and well. The palladium’s circular floor became one giant circle pit that was nonstop throughout the entire set. How could you not mosh to one of the greatest Thrash bands to ever exist for 40 years with no stopping in sight. I over heard someone say wouldn’t that be cool if Chuck D came out and guess what, that is exactly what happened. Chuck D came out to sweaty, tired crowd that was ready for more. Performing “ Bring the Noise” was a crowd favorite and one hell of a surprise that some had a feeling might happen. Even though the crowd has been active for the past hour, everyone was wondering when they were going to play everyone’s favorite song “ Indians “. Of course they saved the best for last and people just went berserk from bodies flying, circle pits erupting to just absolute chaos. Thrash is forever and Anthrax are absolute legends who still deliver one hell of a show. If they are coming to a city near you, definitely do not miss this tour because you will not be disappointed with any of the bands.