Anthrax, Testament, Death Angel - Town ballroom, Buffalo, NY - Nov 15, 2011

Review by John Jeffrey, photos by Diana MacDonald
 
Buffalo, NY - On a cold Tuesday night, the Town Ballroom was transformed into a hot box ministry, setting the stage for Anthrax and the sold out crowd to engage in what the group has entitled their latest CD, "Worship Music."  After solid opening sets by Death Angel and Testament, and a killer 90 minute set by the headlining Titans of Thrash Metal, music was worshiped, INDEED!  Although Anthrax may be the "warm up" band when participating in the "Big 4" festivals (where they perform alongside Megadeth, Slayer and Metallica), they proved that they are still worthy of headlining, and brought the goods to prove it.
 
Anthrax singer Joey Belladonna has performed solo, several times over the years in the Western NY area, but this was the first time since the "Clash of the Titans" tour (which was a little over 20 years ago), that Anthrax has played in Buffalo.  At a quarter past ten, Anthrax took the stage to the adulation of the 500+ metal maniacs in attendance.  After Belladonna asked the crowd, "What's up Buffalo?," the mayhem began as they cranked into "Earth on Hell."   The opening tune was one of many, which the group performed from their 2011 release.  While some groups shy away from playing too many "new" songs, Anthrax boldly played nearly a half dozen from their latest disc.
 
Whether it was a new song or old song, it didn't matter.  The undying intensity of the crowd was immeasurable.  When the mosh pits got going, at times, it seemed the whole crowd was lunging at the stage.  The band fed off of the energy of the crowd, and in return, delivered a near perfect performance.  The chemistry between Joey Belladonna and the rest of the group is the true magic of Anthrax.  The melodic vocals, combined with the crushing riffs and the over the top double bass drumming (courtesy of Charlie Benante) is an unmatchable combination.  The crowd on hand could not ask for anything more, except that it doesn't take another 20 years for Anthrax to return.
 

Anthrax Set List:
(Worship)
Earth on Hell
Fight 'Em Till You Can't
Caught in a Mosh
Antisocial
I'm Alive
The Devil You Know
Indians
(Hymn 1)
In the End
Got the Time
Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)
Among the Living
Madhouse
Metal Thrashing Mad
I'm the Man/Refuse Resist
I Am The Law
 

Special Thanks to Heidi Ellen Robinson-Fitzgerald for making the arrangements for RockMusicStar to cover the show.  For more on Anthrax, please visit www.Anthrax.com