I’ve been an Anthrax fan for over a quarter of a century now and while not all 11 albums have had the same line up, there has always been that consistency of Frank, Scott and Charlie giving them their distinct sound. While John may have given Anthrax a more aggressive vocal delivery, Joey’s vocals have always been and are smoother somehow, perhaps even giving them a more Heavy Metal edge accompanying their thrash sound. New guitarist Jonathan Donais (ex-Shadows Fall) manages to fit right in and delivers without too much difficulty.
A pretty orchestral intro in the form of “Impaled” works its way into the very Anthrax-like “You Gotta Believe” where Joey’s rapid vocals fit perfectly over Scott’s choppy rhythm guitar and Charlie’s precise drumming fills. Jonathan’s lead is very bluesy as the tempo slowed down to a crawl by this point allowing the vocals to almost be whisper-like in their gentleness, before it picks up again to a fast battery of drums and manic leads.
The lyrics of “Monster At The End” are far more sinister than the song as Joey’s vocals combined with the guitars giving it plenty of melody that seems to make the barbs a little too easy to swallow.
The title track “For All Kings” has Charlie playing some interesting triplets with his feet as his hands are working the cymbals with Joey adding plenty of emotion to his vocals.
At first “Breathing Lightning” seems as though it’s going to be a ballad, but once all the instruments kick in the thunderstorm is underway even if the chorus feels like the lull between strikes. It is followed by short instrumental outro “Breathing Out” much like sunshine after rain.
Blending a fuzzy riff into an intricate melody “Suzerain” has Joey almost crooning sweetly as the guitars get chunkier and chunkier until Jonathan’s lead bursts through to quieten them down again.
“Evil Twin” has that early 80’s Anthrax vibe to the chromatics and straightforward drum tempo at first, then it picks up the pace with triplets on the guitars and double timed snare beats and a soaring lead. Easy to see why this has been the first showcase for the album.
Quite easily the longest track on the album “Blood Eagle Wings” very slow goes from laid back ballad to heavier and more aggressive as the song crescendos before mellowing down completely as it ends.
Frank’s bass rumbling and popping throughout “Defend Avenge” gives the guitars something to fight through before the lead solo frenzy becomes overwhelming.
A good solid guitar riff forces Joey to hit some high notes on the verses of “All Of Them Thieves” before chanting out the chorus punctuated by the stopping drums and guitars.
A quick bass intro for “This Battle Chose Us” leads to a mid-paced song which ends in a flurry of activity once it finally gets going.
“Zero Tolerance” is a great way to end the album as it’s fast paced and rather energetic, not to mention filled with an anger belied by the harmonious vocal melody.
I guess in many ways the rougher edge of anger has been polished by the refined delivery, but a polished stone hurts just as much when it hits you in the back of the head.
(7/10 Marco Gaminara)
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