ANTHRAX – The Greater Of Two Evils

Anthrax is still keeping very busy. 2003 saw the release of their first album in five years We’ve Come For You All. Earlier this year was the release of their first live album with John Bush, the twin CD/DVD-release Music For Mass Destruction.

Now, the compilation The Greater Of Two Evils hits the stores. This is a live recorded (without audience) compilation of Anthrax songs from the Neil Turbin and Joey Belladonna era.

John Bush is a far better singer than these guys, but Anthrax was making a well deserved amount of fame and fortune in the Belladonna-days, scoring big with gems like “Caught In A Mosh,” “I Am The Law,” “Indians,” “Madhouse,” “N.F.L.,” and many more.

And, of course, these songs are all here. Stripped down to focus on the raw energy of John Bush, Scott Ian, Rob Caggiano, Frank Bello and Charlie Benante tearing the house down in the studio. This is also one of the last sessions Frank Bello did with the band, now with Helmet on their comeback tour.

The Greater Of Two Evils reminds us of how great this band’s songs were in the glory 80s (and of course still are). Bush and Belladonna have very different voices, but Bush rips off these Anthrax-evergreens as he has done live for over a decade.

No covers included in here, in other words no “Got The Time” or “Antisocial.” Many of these tunes have been laid down by John Bush many times live, but this release has its fair amount of delicate surprises like “Panic,” “Gung Ho,” and the opening masterpiece “Deathrider.”

This is Anthrax playing their best old songs with the best singer that has ever been in their ranks. Necessary? By no means … but fun? Oh, sure!