Review: Nev Pearce
It’s been seven years since thrash metal titans Anthrax last hit our shores at Download Festival, which also included some side shows with Slayer and Behemoth.
Those shows were incredible, but it wasn’t the full headline tour fans had been waiting years for. The last headline run was back in 2005—a show I sadly missed—but I’ve caught them at festivals every time since.
Part of the Big 4 of thrash alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer, Anthrax have inspired countless bands and are seen as metal royalty. Getting the chance to see them live for a proper headline show down under is a very special occasion, and honestly, I’ve been excited about it since it was announced. The first show of the tour kicks off tonight at Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall, one of my favourite venues and the perfect place for this kind of gig.
Opening the tour is New Zealand’s Alien Weaponry, who I’ve seen play before and who always put on a great show. The high-energy “Māori metal” trio fuse aggressive thrash and groove with the roots and language of their indigenous culture, which really sets them apart from much of what else is out there.
The band have been touring the globe in support of their third album Te Rā and fans have been waiting for them to return down under for a full tour since their 2023 appearance at Froth & Fury Festival in Adelaide, which many said were a highlight of the day.
The trio hit the stage at full force to a rowdy response, with plenty of fellow countrymen and women in the crowd backing them. It’s an emotional moment as the boys open their set with a traditional haka before hitting into overdrive and launching into their groove-heavy opener, immediately setting the tone for what’s to come.
It’s never an easy task opening for the mighty Anthrax, but these guys absolutely hold their own, locking the crowd in early and playing like seasoned veterans—which, by now, they are after starting at such a young age touring the world.
Their set pulls in some of their heaviest grooves and thrashier cuts from across their discography, including “Raupatu” and “Mau Moko.” They also roll out “Taniwha,” featuring Randy Blythe, and while he couldn’t be there in the flesh, his vocals ring out over the PA and still hit just as hard.
Wrapping things up with “Kai Tangata,” the boys start the night off on a high and prove once again why they’re one of the most exciting rising bands in metal right now.
The lights go out, Iron Maiden’s “The Number of the Beast” blasts over the PA, instantly getting the eager crowd singing along and lifting the energy in the room. That’s followed by a hilarious animation on the giant curtain in front of the stage, showing the band’s famous mascot, Not Man, skating around, causing havoc and even travelling back in time to take out Hitler, which is funny as hell.
The curtain drops and the band kick into the classic “A.I.R.” at full force, and straight away the pit erupts in a frenzy.
“Got the Time” keeps things flying, before “Madhouse” sends the crowd into overdrive, followed by fan favourite “Caught in a Mosh,” which hits just as hard as ever.
It has to be said that Joey Belladonna still sounds incredible at 65 and somehow has more energy than guys half his age, working the stage nonstop and constantly interacting with the fans. You can tell he still loves what he does, and his appreciation for the people and the music is infectious.
After a bit of banter from Scott Ian, they take it back to the beginning with “Metal Thrashing Mad.” His signature guitar tone is still one of my favourites, and it’s wild thinking the last time I saw him live was in this very venue with Mr. Bungle and which was a very different type of thrash show.
Running through hits spanning over 40 years, the band show exactly why they’ve written some of the best thrash bangers around. “Fight ’Em ’Til You Can’t” and “Breathing Lightning” keep the momentum going before they dip back into Persistence of Time with “Keep It in the Family.”
As the set rolls on, “Be All, End All” lands perfectly, while “Medusa” from Spreading the Disease is a killer throwback and hidden gem. “Indians” brings the chants loud and proud, and a short snippet of “I’m the Man” with some help from the fans adds a fun moment before diving straight back into the heavy stuff.
As the night comes to a close with the mega-hits “I Am the Law” and “Antisocial,” the band don’t bother with an encore or any walk-off-and-come-back theatrics. Instead, they head to the front of the stage to show their appreciation for the loyal fanbase that’s waited years for their return on a headline tour.
Anthrax are still legends in the game and know how to put on one hell of a show. With a long-awaited new album just around the corner and a new era on the horizon, here’s hoping the kings bring the madness back down under sooner rather than later.
Anthrax Australian Tour
Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane – Monday 23 March
Hindley St. Music Hall, Adelaide – Wednesday 25 March
Festival Hall, Melbourne – Thursday 26 March
Enmore Theatre, Sydney – Saturday 28 March
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
For complete tour and ticket information, visit:
Live Nation Australia – livenation.com.au
