Anthrax › The Greater of Two Evils

Anthrax: Frank Bello , John Bush , Scott Ian, Rob Caggiano, Charlie Benante.

Personnel: John Bush (vocals); Scott Ian (guitar, background vocals); Rob Caggiano (guitar); Frank Bello (bass guitar, background vocals); Charlie Benante (drums).

Audio Mixer: Rob Caggiano.

Recording information: Avatar Studios, New York, NY.

Photographer: David Ungar.

If any group deserves to be renowned as "the people's metal band" it is surely Anthrax. With the exciting notion of re-recording a set of their 1980s-era material (when the lineup featured frontman Neil Turbin, followed by longtime singer Joey Belladonna), New York thrash-scene veterans turned to the fans to vote for the songs they wanted to hear interpreted by Anthrax 2004. Taking this ideal of metal democracy even further, Anthrax invited lucky contest winners to join the group as spectators for the sessions.

The result, THE GREATER OF TWO EVILS, is a live-to-tape performance, equally raw and refined, with very few tweaks to the original arrangements. Inspiring versions of "Caught in a Mosh," "Madhouse," and "I Am the Law" attest to the enduring appeal of Anthrax's early material. Diehard fans will love the cleverly tagged main riff from "Time" (PERSISTENCE OF TIME), used at the end of "N.F.L.," and the hidden bonus track "Lone Justice" that follows "Gung-Ho." For these same lifer fans, TWO EVILS leaves one bittersweet pang; originally joining the fold at the same time as Belladonna, bassist Frank Bello exited Anthrax to tour with the reformed Helmet, making TWO EVILS his last album after nearly 20 years with the group.

Genre:

• Heavy Metal

Music Categories:

• Heavy Metal: Speed / Thrash