Tonight's bill features one of the most exciting lineups we have been able to cover so far. Testament and Kreator are two of the most renowned bands for paving the thrash metal scene. Joining them, we have the honour of witnessing one of the 'big 4' of metal, the legendary Anthrax.
The Civic Hall will be bursting at the seams tonight, as fans snake around the venue and down the street. First tonight we have Testament, unleashing a relentless onslaught of precision, power and pyro from the get-go. Diving straight in with 'D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)', a bombastic opener, followed by '3 Days in Darkness' and a chillingly fitting 'WWIII' given the week's geopolitical news.
With a legacy spanning decades, tonight, Testament reaffirmed why they remain one of the pillars of the thrash scene, balancing their classic hits with selections from their formidable newer material.
German thrash legends Kreator were up next, opening with ‘Hate Über Alles’. The response was immediate: fists pumped in the air, heads thrashed, and the pit exploded into action.
Frontman Mille Petrozza was an unstoppable force, "the time has come for the first wall of death" he commands as the crowd opens up while the band plays a segment of the intro to 'Coma of Souls' before ploughing into 'Enemy of God'. The blast beats and double drum kicks of Jürgen "Ventor" Reil vibrate through the venue. Highlights of the set include 'Hail to the Hoards' which brought one of the biggest sing-a-longs of the night, and 'Satan is Real' with impressive pyro during the chorus.
Last but not least is Anthrax. Prior to the band's entrance, a video message was played in celebration of their 40-year career, featuring Hollywood stars who are fans of the band such as Keanu Reeves, Lady Gaga and Norman Reedus, as well as colleagues and legends in the business, too many to list individually, the crowd cheering for their favourites such as Kerry King (Slayer) and Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), and not so loud for those who they were not sure of, which made a spectacle to witness. The white curtain drops as 'A.I.R' kicks in, Anthrax are here and they mean business.
Joey Belladonna of course displays his range, energy, and charisma to keep the crowd engaged, proving his status as one of the most enduring voices in metal. Scott Ian, with his unmistakable rhythm guitar chops and iconic beard, commanded the stage as a thrash metal dynamo, while Frank Bello's basslines and stage presence added depth and attitude. Drummer Charlie Benante was a rhythmic powerhouse, delivering intricate, high-speed beats that anchored the chaos. Guitarist Jonathan Donais shredded with precision, nailing solos that sent shockwaves through the venue.
What has always separated Anthrax from the rest of 'The Big 4' for me is the slightly more punk-leaning sound especially when covering songs like 'Got The Time' (Originally by Joe Jackson) and later in the set 'Antisocial' (by Trust), and the energy in the room compliments this, bodies are soaring over the barrier and the energy is high.
We are three songs in by the time the band plays 'Caught In A Mosh', the crowd do not need to be told what to do, the pits have been open all night. This chaos continued through the iconic hit 'Madhouse', a staple to every metal heads playlist, through to 'I Am The Law' right until the band concluded with 'Indians' and 'Gung-Ho'.
Overall what we witnessed tonight really was some of the best that metal could offer, seeing one of these bands on a headline slot is a privilege enough, so tonight really was a triple t(h)reat.
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