ANTHRAX — Fight 'em 'til you Can't (review)

ANTHRAX — Fight 'em 'til you Can't album cover

Single · 2011 · Thrash Metal

4.5/5 · 2011-06-26
Time Signature

Headbang 'til you can't...

Genre: melodic thrash metal

Zombies and thrash metal!!!!!!

That's f*cking awesome!

Not only that, this is Anthrax sort of finding their old musical self. I know that a lot of people who are a bit younger than me prefer the alternative metal Bush era Anthrax, and, truth be told, I originally got into Anthrax when they released "Sound of White Noise", but eventually I started going back and explored their older releases, and I ended up preferring the Belladonna-fronted melodic thrashing Anthrax to the Bush-fronted grooving Anthrax (I still love "White Noise" though).

So, to me, this new track which is more akin to the Anthrax of the 80s than the Anthrax of the 90s obviously clicked with me right away. Most of the riffage is solid and crushing just like the Scott Ian riffage on albums like "Among the Living", "State of Euphoria" and "Persistence of Time". Combined with this thrashy riffage is an extremely melodic four-chord chorus accompanied by melodic guitar leads - the guitar solo is also extremely melodic and has a nice 80s quality to it.

I am aware that some people might cringe at the though of Joey Belladonna fronting Anthrax once again, but I like what he did with them in the 80s, and I like what he is doing on this track. He does not hit the same high notes as in the olden days, but his voice is still very powerful and his use of vibrato and other singing techniques contributes very positively to the music.

It really seems to me that Anthrax have gone back to their 80s melodic thrash metal style and taken the comic-book lightheartedness which, combined with crushing riffage and melody, made Anthrax really special back then, and they've successfully applied these element in this song.

If the rest of their upcoming album sounds like this song, I will certainly buy it - no questions asked.

more than 2 years ago
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The Angry Scotsman wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Yup, besides being inconsistent, my beef with Anthrax was the production was always so light...no power. This song is classic anthrax but loud and clear, awesome!

Time Signature wrote:

more than 2 years ago

@Stooge: I found this note on the Anthrax FB page:

"The cover Art for "fight em" was Done by Alex Ross, He is The Greatest in my eyes. His attention to detail is One of the things I love about him .I wanted to Show the members of the Band fighting their Zombie Doppleganger, I really think this is one of my Favorite Covers. Look for a t-shirt and Single later on.
thanks and Sorry this took so long
Charlie"

Xaxaar wrote:

more than 2 years ago

And of course I did NOT mean album...

Xaxaar wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Looking forward to hearing this myself. Anthrax is my favorite of the big four (call me crazy, I know) so glad to see this album getting positive reviews.

The Angry Scotsman wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Also I've listened to this song now and it's what I've always wanted from Anthrax...them but actually heavy!

The Angry Scotsman wrote:

more than 2 years ago

: O

m@x wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Well, I was ;-)

The Angry Scotsman wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Not at all! Just pointing out every thrash band is going back to their roots.

m@x wrote:

more than 2 years ago

"old [metal] band going back to their ways!", I suppose that mean new rock/metal is not very good ;-)

The Angry Scotsman wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Wow, Anthrax is working on a new one as well!? Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, uh Testament, Exodus, Overkill....another old thrash band going back to their ways!
Also I for one look forward to hearing Joey again!

Stooge wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I can definitely see why fans of Belladonna fronted Anthrax would get excited about this song. You put it rather well. Musically, I think this song could have worked well with either Bush or Dan Nelson too. I think it sits well along with the thrashier tunes on Weve Come For You All like "What Doesn't Die". BTW I wonder if the cover artist is the same one who did WCFYA.