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Rating: Until a few years ago, it was unlikely to talk about a reunion in the Anthrax household, and to tell the truth, some didn't even feel the need for it given the latest excellent productions with John Bush and Rob Caggiano on guitar (the 2004 album 'We've Come For You All', the live 'Music for Mass Destruction' and 'The Greater Of Two Evils', a collection of the band's classics reinterpreted with Bush on vocals). Evidently, leaders Scott Ian and Charlie Benante were not satisfied with the already mentioned collection 'The Greater of...' to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the band's inception and by mutual agreement (or so they say...) they sidelined poor Bush and Caggiano to bring back the line-up that made waves in the '80s, with Belladonna on vocals, Dan Spitz on guitar and Frank Bello on bass (who had left the band during the We've Come For You All tour).
'Alive 2' is the title of this live CD (also available on DVD with 2 additional songs) recorded on June 2nd at the Starland Ballroom in Sayerville, New Jersey. The setlist will thrill the band's old fans, starting off at full throttle with Among The Living, the title track of the most significant Anthrax album, moving through the ever-destructive Caught in a Mosh, followed closely by Air, from the more "melodic" album 'Spreading The Disease'.
The atmosphere is intense, and the band expresses all its power, but if we want to be picky, there are some things to say. First of all, Belladonna's vocals aren't what they used to be; at certain moments, the good singer seems to struggle, while Dan Spitz is just a shadow of what he was ten years ago. Maybe I'm wrong, but after hearing the amazing 2004 live 'Music For Mass Destruction', I expect too much. The fourth song is Antisocial, a true anthem to sing at the top of one's lungs, and the audience immediately takes advantage of it, making it clear how engaging this band is live. It continues with Belladonna encouraging the crowd to sing: Wasting your life..., yes, it's NFL! I can imagine the joy of the old fans hearing this song presented just like in the golden years, sped up to 1000 per hour... but the best is yet to come with that gem from the first album (where Neil Turbin sang), called Deathrider, pure speed metal, live it delivers threefold compared to the record, what a massacre! It's time for another classic from the Belladonna era, Medusa, where thrash and melody go hand in hand, sure, the singer's performance isn't as great as in the past, but we're here to celebrate the reunion, so we can overlook certain anecdotes...
We approach the end of the concert with In My World, a song that never excited me, and certainly didn't in this context; thankfully, Indians kicks off immediately, and it feels like reliving the emotions that only '80s thrash could provide. Always great is the tight riffing of Scott Ian, the god of chugga chugga riffs... Big surprise at the end with Time, from 'Persistence of Time', I had never heard it live and I must say it's ultra-powerful, also thanks to the excellent work done by Anthrax's rhythm section. The last two songs were born to be sung by the audience and so they are, Be All End All and I'm The Law, close the reunion live of this historic band, excellently produced, played divinely, except for some flaws in Belladonna's and Dan Spitz's performances, but who cares?
...I just hope this is a fitting chapter to celebrate 20 years of existence, and that the band returns to the studio with Bush and Caggiano to continue everything good (actually excellent) they had accomplished in recent times.
Marcello
Tracklist and Lyrics
01 Among the Living (05:29)
Disease! Disease! Spreading the disease.
With some help from Captain Trips,
he'll bring the world down to his knees.
Power, yes Power! He'll show them all his power.
It pulses through his ice cold blood,
a whole world to devour!
BridgeHe's seeing, he's calling, his legacy he's spawning.
He's coming, corrupting, among the living!
Murder! Murder! Commit cold blooded murder!
Like Nazis during World War Two, they only follow orders.
Hatred! Hatred! A crucifix is your bed,
Once he turns his eye on you, you'll be better off dead!
I'm the walkin' dude, I can see all the world!
Twist your minds with fear, I'm the man with the power.
Among the living, follow me or die!
Man, fights Man! Divided they can't stand!
United, they can battle back, and make him force his hand!
Fear, yes fear! His end is growing near,
He didn't count on Man's good faith,
and their will to persevere.
Follow me or die!
FIRE! HOT FIRE!! Purge the world with fire!!
Damnation is the price he'll pay, for an evil man's desire!
Good, versus evil! The stand to vanquish evil!
Man can only live one way, that place right in the middle.
Follow me or die!
Among Among Among Among Among Among
Among Among Among Among Among Among!
02 Caught in a Mosh (05:43)
Why don't you listen to me when I try to talk to you
Stop thinking of yourself, for just a second fool
Shut up, shut up, I don't wanna hear your mouth
Your mother made a monster, now get the hell out of my house
Can't stand it for another day
I ain't gonna live my life this way
Cold sweat, my fists are clenching
Stomp, stomp, stomp the idiot convention
Which one of these words don't you understand?
I'm caught in a mosh
Talking to you is like clapping with one hand
What is it? Caught in a mosh
What is it? Caught in a mosh
What is it? Caught in a mosh
What is it? Caught in a mosh
Don't tell me how to do my job
There's the door, your name's on the knob
You're always in the way, like a beast on my back
Were you dropped as a baby, 'cause brains you lack
Can't stand it for another day
I ain't gonna live my life this way
Cold sweat, my fists are clenching
Stomp, stomp, stomp, the idiot convention
Which one of these words don't you understand?
I'm caught in a mosh
Talking to you, is like clapping with one hand
What is it? Caught in a mosh
What is it? Caught in a mosh
What is it? Caught in a mosh
What is it? Caught in a mosh
Think, before you speak
Or suffer for your words
Learn, to give respect
That others give to you
AAAAAAAAAAAh, the best you can do
Hey, man!
I'm trying to reason but you don't understand
Talking in circles, we'll never get it straight
Just you and me in our theatre of hate
Can't stand it for another day
I ain't gonna live my life this way
Cold sweat, my fists are clenching
Stomp, stomp, stomp, the idiot convention
Which one of these words don't you understand?
I'm caught in a mosh
Talking to you is like talking with one hand
What is it? Caught in a mosh
What is it? Caught in a mosh
What is it? Caught in a mosh
What is it? Caught in a mosh
03 A.I.R. (06:21)
Young and free, something you'll never be
A childhood's end, it's lunacy
Pure dictation, they don't listen
And you're just waiting for what you're missing
Welcome to your nightmare
you just can't walk away
It's time for you, to choose, your fate
You just can't let it lay
Welcome to your nightmare
Your whole life's on the way,
Today
You're no good, misunderstood, A.I.R.
All their hopes and visions, of what they want you to be
Crucial times, made up minds, A.I.R.
So high and mighty, though much too blind to see
Who are you gonna live your life for?
Conformity will trap you like a locked door
Independence means owning your decisions
Authority will put your soul in prison
Welcome to your nightmare
you just can't walk away
It's time for you, to choose, your fate
You just can't let it lay
Welcome to your nightmare
Your whole life's on the way,
Today
You're no good, misunderstood, A.I.R.
All their hopes and visions, of what they want you to be
Crucial times, made up minds, A.I.R.
So high and mighty, though much too blind to see
Fight, or go insane, there's no one else to blame
Stop, their influence, you can't give them a chance
Break, right through the wall, that separates us all
Start, your second life, without their hands in sight
You got your pride, you got your visions
Don't subside, don't ever give in
Don't compromise just keep on grinning
The games they play you just keep on winning
Keep on winning
Keep on winning
Keep on winning
04 Antisocial (06:05)
You're a train ride to no importance
You're in love with hell existence
Money is all that you desire
Why don't you pack it in and retire
It's common sense you can't fool me
I'm just the money that you can't let free
Rainy day genius clouds your mind
don't you realize the blind lead the blind
You're anti, you're antisocial
Oh mister time will you ever unwind
Or just rebuild a new design
Your claim to fame is law and order
The rich get rich, the poor get poor
You put a price tag on what you see
This one's for you, that's for me
If that's winning I'd rather lose
Why don't you listen to my senselewss views
You're anti, you're antisocial
How do you feel?
You're a train ride to no importance
You're in love with hell existence
Money is all that you desire
Why don't you pack it in and retire
It's common nature you can't fool me
I'm just the money that you can't let free
Rainy day genius clouds your mind
Don't you realize theblind lead the blind
You're anti, you're antisocial
ANTISOCIAL.....
06 Deathrider (03:37)
Riding hard, high in the saddle
Winged steed of unwearing flight
Sweeping through air just like fire
Swift of the foot, great of might
Hear the screams
Feel the bite
We ride with death
Tonight
Here it comes
You better hide
Shoot the guns
You're gonna die
Conquering all, spreading terror
Hoofs gallop in thunderous pound
Devouring the souls of the wretched
Trampling them down to the ground
Gripping the reins of destruction
Made of steel on his hands
Holder of forces immortal
Slaughtering all in his path
07 Medusa (04:59)
Endless curse, blood runs cold
Evil stare, will turn your flesh to stone
Land of doom, world of sin
All subside, don't venture near
The island where she lives
Oh, she'll suck you in
Destroyer of life, Demon
Oh I'm ready to strike, Gorgon
Serpents bride, the end awaits
Human prey, no swords or armor
Shield you from your fate
Hey you, you can't escape
Wicked smile, full of lies
Head of snakes, approach her cave
But don't look in her eyes
Oh, her eyes
Seize, appease, deceive, die
Seize, appease, deceive, die
Medusa, she's staring at you
Medusa, with her eyes
Medusa
Evil witch, cast her spell, seducing you
She'll take you to the very depths of hell
Cannot move, no eyes to see, a statue now
For all eternity Medusa laughs at you
And you're her slave
Medusa, she's staring at you
Medusa, with her eyes
Medusa, oh, she's cold
Medusa
08 In My World (06:09)
They're Gonna Put Me in Jail?
Man, I'm Already in Jail
Don't They Know That My Life
Is Just One Big Cell
I'll Bite the Hand That Feeds Me
And I Could Give a Damn If That Hand Needs Me
Why Can't You Live Me Alone?
A Lie May Fool Someone Else
But it Tells You the Truth
You're Weak, Just Another Clone
I Just Want My Life
To Do Whatever I like
Yeah, It's a Selfish Need
To Have No Responsibility
So I'll Say What I'm Gonna Say
'Cause I'm Going to Hell Anyway
I'd Rather Be Alone
In My World
I'm Not Afraid
I Am Not Afraid
Nothing Touches Me I'm a Walking Razor Blade
Face the Face of Fear
Face the Face of Death
Laugh When Others Tear
Hate When Others Laugh
In My World It's So Cold
My Defense Is like Stone
No One Gets Inside, 'Cause
In My World I'm Home
In My World I Loathe
And You'll Always Pay a Toll
No One Gets Inside, 'Cause
In My World I'm Home
An Adult at Thirteen
My Childhood Was a Dream
A Full Clout Nightmare, a Sight Unseen
My Greatest Fear as a Kid
One Which I Always Kept Hid
Was to Come Home from School
And Find My Mother Dead
I Just Want My Life
To Do Whatever I like
Yeah It's a Selfish Need
To Have No Responsibility
So I'll Say What I'm Gonna Say
'Cause I'm Going to Hell Anyway
I'd Rather Be Alone
In My World
I'm Not Afraid
I Am Not Afraid
Nothing Touches Me I'm a Walking Razor Blade
Face the Face of Fear
Face the Face of Death
Laugh When Others Tear
Hate When Others Laugh
In My World It's So Cold
My Defense Is like Stone
No One Gets Inside, 'Cause
In My World I'm Home
In My World I Loathe
And You'll Always Pay a Toll
No One Gets Inside, 'Cause
In My World I'm Home
Home!!!
I'm Not Afraid
I Am Not Afraid
Nothing Touches Me I'm a Walking Razor Blade
Face the Face of Fear
Face the Face of Death
Laugh When Others Tear
Hate When Others Laugh
I Am Not Afraid
I Am Not Afraid
I Am Not Afraid
09 Indians (07:44)
We all see black and white
When it comes to someone else's fight
No one ever gets involved
Apathy can never solve
FORCED OUT - Brave and Mighty
STOLEN LAND - They can't fight it
HOLD ON - To pride and tradition
Even though they know how much their lives are really missin'
WE'RE DISSIN' THEM...
On reservations
A hopeless situation
Respect is something that you earn
Our Indian brothers' getting burned
Original American
Turned into second class citizen
FORCED OUT - Brave and Mighty
STOLEN LAND - They can't fight it
HOLD ON - To pride and tradition
Even though they know how much their lives are really missin'
WE'RE DISSIN' THEM...
On reservations
A hopeless situation
Cry for the Indians
Die for the Indians
Cry for the Indians
Oh, Cry, Cry
Cry for the Indians
Love the land and fellow man
Peace is what we strive to have
Some folks have none of this
Hatred and Prejudice
FORCED OUT - Brave and Mighty
STOLEN LAND - They can't fight it
HOLD ON - To pride and tradition
Even though they know how much their lives are really missin'
WE'RE DISSIN' THEM...
On reservations
A hopeless situation
Cry for the Indians
Die for the Indians
Cry for the Indians
Cry, Cry
Cry for the Indians
WARDANCE!!!
TERRITORY, It's just the body of the nation
The people that inhabit it make its configuration
PREJUDICE, Something we all can do without
Cause a flag of many colors is what this land is all about!!!!
We all see black and white
When it comes to someone else's fight
No one ever gets involved
Apathy can never solve
FORCED OUT - Brave and Mighty
STOLEN LAND - They can't fight it
HOLD ON - To pride and tradition
Even though they know how much their lives are really missin'
WE'RE DISSIN' THEM...
On reservations
A hopeless situation
Cry for the Indians
Die for the Indians
Cry for the Indians
Cry, Cry
Cry for the Indians...
11 Metal Thrashing Mad (02:42)
Racing down the road
In a street machine of steel
Gears are jammed in full
I'm the madman at the wheel
Got my foot pinned to the floor
You can feel the engine roar
I got thunder in my hands
I'm metal thrashing mad, yeah
Metal thrashing mad, yeah
Driving like a maniac
Can't go any faster
Burning up the road
Headed for disaster
Got my foot pinned to the floor
You can feel the engine roar
Got thunder in my hands
I'm metal thrashing mad
13 I Am the Law (07:04)
I Am The Law
Fifteen years in the academy
He was like no cadet they'd ever seen
A man so hard, his veins bleed ice
And when he speaks he never says it twice
They call him Judge, his last name is Dredd
So break the law, and you wind up dead
Truth and justice are what he's fighting for
Judge Dredd the man, he is the law
DROKK IT!
With gun and bike he rules the streets
And every perp he meets will taste defeat
Not even Death can overcome his might
Cause Dredd and Anderson, they won the fight
When the Sov's started the Apocalypse war
Mega-City was bombed to the floor
Dredd resisted, and the judges fought back
Crushed the Sov's with their counter-attack
DROKK IT!
Respect the badge - he earned it with his blood
Fear the gun - your sentence may be death because...
Chorus
I AM THE LAW!
And you won't fuck around no more - I AM THE LAW
I judge the rich, I judge the poor - I AM THE LAW
Commit a crime I'll lock the door - I AM THE LAW
Because in Mega-City... I AM THE LAW
In the cursed earth where mutants dwell
There is no law, just a living hell
Anarchy and chaos as the blood runs red
But this would change if it was up to Dredd
The book of law is the bible to him
And any crime committed is a sin
He keeps the peace with his law-giver
Judge, jury, and executioner
DROKK IT!
CRIME - The ultimate sin
Your iso-cube is waiting when he brings you in
LAW - It's what he stands for
Crime's his only enemy and he's going to war
CRIME - The ultimate sin
Your ISO-cube is waiting when he brings you in
LAW - It's what he stands for
Crime's his only enemy and he's going to war
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