CONSIDER THIS: WHEN Anthrax formed in New York City on July 18, 1981, the average UK home price was a mere £20,268. In the 40 years that followed, the legendary thrashers – Joey Belladonna (vocals), Scott Ian and Jon Donais (guitars), Frank Bello (bass) and Charlie Benante (drums) – have released 11 studio albums, earned six Grammy nominations, sold millions of albums and toured the planet many times over. To celebrate their 40th anniversary, Anthrax announced a two-hour-plus livestream, though the set is actually pre-recorded. Why leave anything to chance when you can give fans a DVD-quality product with utterly phenomenal sound, high-definition video, compelling editing and zero hitches? This is precisely what we get.
Kicking off with Fight ’Em ‘Til You Can’t, they tear off at a frantic pace that never relents. You know it’s a special set when we’re three songs in and they’re already at Caught In A Mosh.
Joey Belladonna: still nailing the high notes
They intersperse five-alarm belters such as Indians and I Am The Law with deeper cuts like Aftershock and Lone Justice. In haughty defiance of the ageing process, Joey’s performance would draw the envy of most 20-year-old vocalists, easily hitting the high notes and maintaining feverish energy throughout the entire set.