Anthrax Worship

Earlier this year, I went on an Anthrax spree. I listened to the band's entire discography, and was picking up CD's for those holes that I had in my collection. I grew up with the Belladonna era throughout the 80's, and while I've always looked down on the Bush albums...I found myself really appreciating Sound Of White Noise and We've Come For You All. With all this build up, I was excited to hear the news that Joey was back in the band, and that Anthrax was recording a new album.

I could not wait to hear Worship Music. The two songs that Anthrax put up for free download were a nice tease, and had me excited to rush out on release day to buy this.

The day of the albums release came and I was on the edge of my seat. Before I left for work that morning, I hit the internet and did a search for a download. I found one, and loaded it on to my ipod for my drive in. The first three songs, Earth On Hell, The Devil You Know, and Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't, were exactly what I was looking for. Powerful, heavy, with some great bursts of speed. The rest of the album, however, left me feeling underwhelmed. By the time I arrived at work, I knew that I would not be rushing out to the record store at lunch as I had initially anticipated. I felt the same level of disappointment I experienced when I rushed to pick up State Of Euphoria back in 1988. Still, I felt like there still might be something with this album. I stuck with it, and while nothing else came close to the greatness of those first few songs, repeated listens had me appreciating the entire album more.

The time had come for me to invest in a vinyl copy. In an age when new vinyl releases tend to be priced over the $20 mark, I was surprised to find Worship Music at my local record store with a $14 price tag. I was sold.

The gatefold packaging and vinyl on this release were all well done. Scott Ian may still seem like a dick, but Anthrax is respectable again.