Anthrax - It's For the Kids

[DanTravis62]

The only thing Ian is good on imo
Milano also epic

I personally think Ian is really really overrated

for his tone, his playing, and especially his writing - apparently the drummer writes most of the riffs, and you can tell

Even the "classic" albums of anthrax have some pretty obvious filler riffs and inconsistent songwriting, which is why they were never on the level of the other three bands in the big four

TBH I think Testament or Exodus or Overkill or some other band deserves the fourth spot in "the big four" more than anthrax does

And I'm saying this with love mostly, as I think those early anthrax albums have a couple of bangers

 

[Simon Dorn]

The only thing Ian is good on imo
Milano also epic

Yes

 

[romanianreaper]

Frank's tone is totally different and he is doing way more interesting runs on bass... and Charlie's drums sound super flat and dull to me. Didnt really sound like Anthrax til the mosh part and Frank's bass went back to the classic piano tone... with that said, I wish Dan Lilker was in the band... He has that heaviness they need in my opinion. And I agree with @sytharnia1560 , I never got into Joey as singer... Overall though, I think I prefer this to the new Exodus lol

It's funny but I agree it didn’t sound like Anthrax until it got to that part.

I like that it is fast and just seems to be missing some of that Scott Ian palm mute, Charlie's drum sound and Frankie' bass tone that pops out.

I probably need to listen again.

 

[Beyond Black]

Lineup:Billy Milano - Vocals
Scott Ian - Guitars
Dan Lilker - Bass, Vocals (backing)
Charlie Benante - Drums, Vocals (backing), Guitars (lead) (track 6)

That album still rules soooo fucking hard. Lightning in a bottle ️

 

[7 Stringer]

I personally think Ian is really really overrated

for his tone, his playing, and especially his writing - apparently the drummer writes most of the riffs, and you can tell

Even the "classic" albums of anthrax have some pretty obvious filler riffs and inconsistent songwriting, which is why they were never on the level of the other three bands in the big four

TBH I think Testament or Exodus or Overkill or some other band deserves the fourth spot in "the big four" more than anthrax does

And I'm saying this with love mostly, as I think those early anthrax albums have a couple of bangers

Testament are on a whole other level than all of the big four, they have it all , riffs, solos, arrangement, vocals( so awesome), harmonies, drumming..... Name it, they outperform all of them.

 

[DanTravis62]

Testament are on a whole other level than all of the big four, they have it all , riffs, solos, arrangement, vocals( so awesome), harmonies, drumming..... Name it, they outperform all of them.

They certainly have had a MUCH better late-to-modern career than ALL of the big four

I would put everything from The Gathering to Dark Roots of Earth above anything ANY of the big four have released in 30 years easily

 

[Speeddemon]

Testament are on a whole other level than all of the big four, they have it all , riffs, solos, arrangement, vocals( so awesome), harmonies, drumming..... Name it, they outperform all of them.

Indeed, in terms of versatility and songmanship, they punch harder than Exodus or Overkill. The thing Overkill does so damn great though, is that snarly tightness. You know, what Scott Ian did on Spreading the Disease and Among the Living and kinda lost a bit afterwards...
I think Ian's tone these days suffers from the same issues that Hetfield's tone suffers from; too many changes from the old winning team.

Basically he needs to go back to a JB loaded Jackson, into a modded Marshall, goosed up by that TC Boost pedal and riff tighter than a nun's arse again.

 

[SaberRed]

I think I might be one of the few people whose favourite Anthrax album is State of Euphoria. Such a killer groove at the start of Finale up to 36 secs.

 

[skoora]

Charlie used to have the best snare tone in metal. Really cracked and you could hear every nuance. Now it’s just the same old as most other bands. Guitar has a soft edge to it as well which takes away a lot of the aggression. Kind of bums me out when musicians lose a signature sound that was so good. The verse riff would sound a lot better with 80’s 800 tone. Their musicianship and ability are as killer as ever.
I’ve always liked Joey’s voice
I don’t find it re-listenable. It’s not shit but It doesn’t make me go fuck yeah either.

 

[thegame]

I think I might be one of the few people whose favourite Anthrax album is State of Euphoria. Such a killer groove at the start of Finale up to 36 secs.

That album is a huge shit sandwich. The first and last songs (the bread) are good yet nothing but empty calories in the middle

 

[Beyond Black]

Indeed, in terms of versatility and songmanship, they punch harder than Exodus or Overkill. The thing Overkill does so damn great though, is that snarly tightness. You know, what Scott Ian did on Spreading the Disease and Among the Living and kinda lost a bit afterwards...
I think Ian's tone these days suffers from the same issues that Hetfield's tone suffers from; too many changes from the old winning team.

Basically he needs to go back to a JB loaded Jackson, into a modded Marshall, goosed up by that TC Boost pedal and riff tighter than a nun's arse again.

Agree 100%. I haven’t given af about Anthrax since ATL and it’s entirety due to their abandonment of their early sig guitar tone. Ian’s early Anthrax and SOD tones are among the best metal tones ever recorded.
It’s beyond me why them and Metallica would stray so far away from such an obviously killer and winning formula.
Say what you want about Dime’s tone, but it was his and his alone, instantly identifiable, and THE sound of Pantera.

 

[romanianreaper]

I actually loved Anthrax's last album and I know I'll dig this one but this song probably won't be my favorite on there.

One frustrating thing though. I watched a great interview wirh Scott yesterday talking about the album and the songs, etc. He said the album was done in the Fall or 2025 but they had some management stuff to deal with so held the release. I looked on Spotify and the album doesn't come out until September of 2026. Am I missing something here?

 

[JimAnsell2]

Anthrax has always been a band with a cooler band name and logo than music. That song was terrible. I want to like it because anthrax (appart from scott who i'm not a fan of at all, especially after reading his book) are all super likable guys, killer musicians, and in great shape for their age because i don't think they partied / got hooked on drugs for a period like the exodus guys or some of their peers. Joey (and john bush for that matter) all sound every bit as good as they did back in the day. But they just can't write those big, memoriable songs like they could on spreading the disease and among the living. i thought sound of white noise was one of the best american metal albums of that era, but they never could really caputre lightning with john bush. A lot of the old schoolers hated the transition between P.O.T and sound of white noise, but it worked. stomp has a song or two, but after that, they deflated fast and stayed in a shitty state until they got joey back, and it certainly seems like joey and the rest of the guys aren't exactly pals. Joey belongs in anthrax, and John belongs in Armored Saint (who i have a soft spot for). Its weird too because with armored saint, their first record was classic, then some (imo) duds that are considered classic by die hards, then they came back in 89 or 90 with Symbol of Salvation which is great start to finish.

not to split hairs, but the eq curve on those guitars kinda ruins the mix, sounds like scooped mids with a boost in the high mids it clashes with the frequencies of joeys vocals.

 

[Dale B]

I'm probably in the minority but the only vocalist I really liked for them was John Bush. I dig the tune minus vocals.

You're not in the minority! I loved the Bush years. I just tolerate Joey now.

 

[Floyd Eye]

I don't know man. Anthrax is pretty dangerous. Next thing ya know they'll be mailing it to their teachers.

 

[Dale B]

I don't know man. Anthrax is pretty dangerous. Next thing ya know they'll be mailing it to their teachers.

Taking a pivot... What's up with all these hot lady teachers that didn't exist back in the day giving up the snatch to 13 year olds?

 

[thegame]

Taking a pivot... What's up with all these hot lady teachers that didn't exist back in the day giving up the snatch to 13 year olds?

They’re spreading the disease by spreading it

 

[skoora]

Taking a pivot... What's up with all these hot lady teachers that didn't exist back in the day giving up the snatch to 13 year olds?

Pretty much most guys are where the fuck were these teachers when I was in High School!?

 

[Floyd Eye]

Taking a pivot... What's up with all these hot lady teachers that didn't exist back in the day giving up the snatch to 13 year olds?

I know right. And these dumbass kids we’re raising who have to run their stupid mouths and fuck it up for everyone else ?

 

[Dale B]

Pretty much most guys are where the fuck were these teachers when I was in High School!?

Exactly! It was basically grandmaws and women in need of full hysterectomies when I was in school.