Anthrax, one of the most important bands in the history of metal, is back again, even if it seems that they have never really been away. Their career spans across more than two decades, and during that time they have always been one of the key figures in heavy metal, influencing styles from thrash metal to 1990's style crossover. Metal is meant to be aggressive and demanding, and Anthrax knows that for sure. But what makes them even more unique is that instead of gloominess and despair, they invest on catchy tunes and great party, and come out with flying colours.
Anthrax became a classic already in the 1980's when their albums, Among the Living and State of Euphoria in particular, had a deep influence on American trash. While in Europe bands like Kreator led the genre into an introverted, breakneck-speed phase, Anthrax chose a remarkably more melodic and lively path. They held on to traces of punk and British heavy metal, but had the insight to build all this into something entirely their own. This meant effectiveness in their guitar parts, social critique in their lyrics and graceful comprehensiveness in their multipartite songs.
Persistence of Time was the culmination of their classic period, but Anthrax was not lost for what to do next. Their style, now almost an institution, found influences wider than ever before, and the band decided that the time was perfect for introduction of a new vocalist, John Bush. At the early nineties Anthrax was almost a godfather-like figure to young bands. Finally nu-metal raided their wardrobe, but did not leave their musical heritage intact either: when Anthrax in 1991 joined forces with Public Enemy, the result was the frantic cover song Bring tha Noise, later often cited as one of the songs that spawned nu-metal. But by no means was this Anthrax's first time mixing rap and metal - they had already been at it in 1987 with the song I'm the Man.
And who could have guessed that summer of 2005 sees Anthrax touring again with old chums Joey Belladonna, Frank Bello and Dan Spitz. All of them once tried to leave the band, but obviously just couldn't keep away.
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