THROWBACK THURSDAY - ANTHRAX

When discussing 80's metal it's nearly impossible not to mention something about the Big 4 of thrash metal.  The sub-genre itself is worth considering since the influence of these bands can still be heard in today's metal.  Though, as far as the Big 4 goes I've always felt that Anthrax deserved more recognition and respect for their contributions to metal. They are my personal favorite and here are some reasons why:

1. They unintentionally coined the term thrash metal with their song "Metal Thrashing Mad".

2. Scott Ian (do I really need to explain?).

3. Compared to their contemporaries, they have one of the most energetic and entertaining live           performances.

4. As far as thrash bands are concerned, Joey Belladonna is an incredibly talented singer.  In his heyday he could adjust his vocal styleings to match the band's music perfectly, and in some cases channel his inner Bruce Dickinson (recommended listen: "Armed and Dangerous").

5. Only Anthrax can successfully pull off a song with Chuck D of Public Enemy.

6. Lyrically, they are very diverse.  Their themes can range from the overly silly "Caught in a Mosh" and "I'm the Man" to the very dark "Persistence of Time" album.

7. They know how to voice their political opinions without sounding like assholes.

8. They have the ability to make cover songs sound like Anthrax originals (recommended listens: "Antisocial", "Got the Time").

9. In spite of early, and several, line-up changes they have remained fairly "drama free" (Scott Ian and Dan Lilker were in S.O.D. together shortly after Lilker was kicked out of Anthrax).

10.  Their earlier music inspired Jonathan Donais, who is now their lead guitarist.

Opinions are going to vary but we can all agree on one thing, Anthrax is one badass band.

Links: Facebook // Official Website // iTunes

THE WEEKEND MOSH

Introducing The Weekend Mosh. This is a collection of awesome songs / artists / albums hand picked by the team for your listening pleasure.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Official Website

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Links: Facebook // Twitter // Bandcamp

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

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Links: Facebook // Bandcamp // Subliminal Groove Records

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Bandcamp

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes 

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

Links: Facebook // Official Website // Twitter // iTunes 

Links: Facebook // Bandcamp

ANTHRAX ANNOUNCE NEW GUITARIST

The replacement for ex-Anthrax lead guitarist Rob Caggiano, who has now joined mainstream metal outfit Volbeat, has been announced. And it’s no surprise. Shadows Fall lead guitarist Jon Donais has been touring with the band for about half a year now. So it makes plenty of sense that he has now been announced as the official lead guitarist for the thrash metal veteran band.

According to Donais the change has been very amicable. Caggiano has been using skype, according to comments made to guitarworld, to help Donais learn some of his solos and riffs. In the same article, Donais says that the other members of Shadows Fall have been very supportive of the switch to Anthrax, so at least we know no one’s feelings are hurt in this whole arrangement.

Earlier this year Anthrax released the “Anthems” EP. This was a cover EP featuring mostly 70s rock songs. Scott Ian has indicated that the band will begin working on an album this year that will be released in 2014. Don’t forget about Anthrax!

-Trisolino

Links: Facebook // Official Website // Guitarworld

BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR!

Oh, look, another festival that makes me want to move. Continuing a proud tradition of metal, 2013's Blookstock Open Air Festival will not disappoint. Running from August 8th - 11th in Catton Park, Derbyshire, UK, the festival will pack in well over a hundred bands for a solid three days of metal entertainment!

The three headliners are SLAYER, Lamb of God, and King Diamond! Supporting acts include Accept, Avantasia, Anthrax, Sabaton, Devil Driver, Municipal Waste, Gojira, Exodus, Amorphis, Kataklysm, Firewind, and many, many more! Check the flyer below for all the details and grab yer tickets here!

Links: Facebook // Official Website

THROWBACK THURSDAY - NUCLEAR ASSAULT

Greetings and welcome to Thrashy Throwback Thursday. Anybody who is familiar with the big 4 of thrash metal is probably also familiar with the history between Dave Mustaine and Metallica, leading ultimately to the formation of Megadeth. Well a similar scenario happened on the east coast a couple years later. In 1984, bassist Danny Lilker was kicked out of Anthrax, and like Mustaine, went on to form another band: Nuclear Assault.

So how would one describe the overall sound of Nuclear Assault?  True and honest thrash metal.  Nuclear Assault is very fast, aggressive, and they get straight to the point (like an east coast version of Slayer).  They have a very strong hardcore punk influence in their sound, with very few songs exceeding the 4 minute mark.
Some things that make Nuclear Assault stand out from their thrash metal contemporaries are John Connelly's unique high-pitched screeching vocals, as well as Lilker's driving bass tone which seems to bleed through every song perfectly and provide that necessary low end. Some of the songs on their earlier albums have even bordered on grindcore territory, showing Lilker's interest in the style and possibly even foreshadowing his future participation in Brutal Truth. Nuclear Assault may not have been the most popular nor have the most mainstream success, but they are a true example of well executed thrash metal.

All thrash metal, hardcore, and heavy music enthusiasts should check out "Game Over" (1986) and "Survive" (1988).

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THE BATTLE OF SAN BERNARDINO - IRON MAIDEN, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX, TESTAMENT, AND MORE!

THIS is one of those line ups that just makes your jaw drop. Might drool a bit too... Iron Maiden will be trekking through segments of the US on a 10 day tour with Megadeth, Anthrax, Testament, Sabaton, and Overkill. Yeah, you can go ahead and read that line-up again. For some metalheads out there, this is the show of dreams.

And these shows will be massive both musically and scale-wise. You can check the dates, the flyer, and music from all of the bands down below. And if you want to go (honestly, why wouldn't you?), you can grab your tickets right here! We'll see you in the mosh pit... IRONS UP! \m/

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09.03 – Raleigh, NC – Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion
09.05 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
09.07 – Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center
09.08 – St Louis, MO – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
09.10 – Austin, TX – Austin 360 Amphitheater
09.12 – Las Vegas, NV – Mandalay Bay Events Center
09.13 – San Bernardino, CA – San Manuel Amphitheatre
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Links: Iron Maiden Facebook // Twitter // iTunes // Official Website
Megadeth Facebook // Twitter // iTunes
Anthrax Facebook // Twitter // iTunes
Testment Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS 2013 PREDICTIONS PART IV - BEST VOCALIST / BEST LIVE BAND

Welcome to the fourth installment of our Golden God Award predictions. Voting closes in about a month so feel free to look at the past installments if you haven't done so already. And now, drumroll please...

Best Vocalist

Chino Moreno - Deftones
Chris Cornell - Soundgarden
Corey Taylor - Stone Sour/ Slipknot
Maria Brink - In This Moment
Phil Anselmo - Down
Lzzy Hale - Halestorm

Fe's Predictions

The nominees are getting better and better. I don't have anything to complain about in this category. All of the vocalists have proved themselves to the metal community over the past few years or so so congrats to them.

Honestly, if we are treating this awards show as a popularity contest, I think Lzzy Hale will walk away with the win. Sure, her vocals are strong and she's a looker but is Halestorm really making any groundbreaking progress?

I would be content with anyone in this category winning but in all honesty either Chino Moreno or Maria Brink deserves this one. Deftones will always be a solid band and Maria Brink (as mentioned in last week's Women Who Mosh) obviously has a great talent.

 
Mike Thall's Predictions

There's some decent talent here but it's not a very hard decision for me... CHINO! Deftones had a huge year and are continuing to push forward like the pros they are. Chino Moreno serves not only as a front man, but as one of the major forces driving the band. He deserves major respect for his efforts.

Best Live Band

Five Finger Death Punch
Anthrax
Hatebreed
Lamb Of God
Slipknot
Volbeat

Fe's Predictions

While I've never had the great opportunity of seeing these bands live, I've heard stories of the incredible shows they put on. They pack venues to full capacity and leave fans begging for more.

I can't really judge in this category because I've never had the experience, but I have a feeling Hatebreed or Anthrax will take the award. Anthrax has been around forever and I'm sure many generations of fans will be voting for the band. I know Hatebreed is touring with Everytime I Die (Buffalo for the win) and I'm sure I will get to experience their show. From watching YouTube videos, I feel like all of these bands bring mind blowing sets to their fans.

 
Mike Thall's Predictions

Though I'm not the biggest fan of some of these bands *cough*FiveFingerDeathPunch*cough*, I can't deny their ability to deliver a big, entertaining live performance. Of these bands, I've seen Hatebreed and Lamb of God live. Both shows were awesome so those would be my personal picks. But in reality, I see either Anthrax or Slipknot taking the prize due to their legions of loyal fans.

Links: Facebook // Official Website

NEW ENGLAND METAL & HARDCORE FESTIVAL XV

The New England Metal & Hardcore Festival has their line-up announced for this year. It will be the festival's fifteenth year providing some of the finest metal and hardcore to America's northeast. It will run three days from April 19th to the 21st. That's a lot of moshing to do!

Bands that will be making an appearance include Anthrax, Opeth, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Suicidal Tendencies, Hatebreed, Katatonia, Tyr, Ensiferum, Miss May I, Municipal Waste, Born of Osiris, After The Burial, The Contortionist, and Trapped Under Ice among MANY others. Check some videos from the headliners, take a peek at the rest of the line-up below, check the official website, and get stoked!

 

Links: Official Website