Anthrax

Well, we all know the confusing story, end result being that this is Joey Belladonna's first album back in the fold with Anthrax. Amazingly, they pull off the reunion quite well. After a useless intro (one day, bands will stop doing this), the New Yorkers kick into short scorcher "Earth on Hell," which is classic 'thrax, in the best ways, all speed metal riffing and inimitable Belladonna vocal lines. "The Devil You Know" works the group's memorable chops, to great effect, and "Fight 'Em Til You Can't" finishes off the best thrash metal triple-play of the year. The production is a thing of beauty, all natural, punchy bass drums and low-end sonics bringing out the endless array of grinding thrash riffs. But let's be honest, all the negative Anthrax trademarks remain: wildly inappropriate song lengths, hysterical vocal patterns, shockingly unrestrained shows of drumming and the final three songs dragging (here, they almost kill the album they're so dull) ― you know the drill, Anthrax fans. But, hey, if those are the only mistakes the band are making ― for now ― we should be grateful. They pulled off a classic-era line-up reunion with style, but what the future holds for the continually confused Anthrax remains to be seen.