Priest and Anthrax rock the MARK
By Alun Thomas
Just three years ago Judas Priest and
Anthrax toured the U.S. to less than spectacular venues, both with vocalists
(ÒRipperÓ Owens and John Bush) who had replaced their more illustrious
counterparts (Rob Halford and John Belladonna). Both bands were at a low point
commercial- wise, particularly Priest, the once metal kings reduced to
headlining clubs with a fine vocalist who never gained real acceptance.
Three years later both acts are back on
the road, with Halford and Belladonna both back at the helm and enjoying new
leases on life. I was openly critical of AnthraxÕs decision to bring Belladonna
back, as I felt Bush had been slighted, but I was more than curious to see how
he and the reformed 1984-1991 lineup performed on October 2nd at The MARK Of
The Quad Cities in Moline. Priest I had seen at Ozzfest last year. This time
around I was hoping for a few surprises. Foolish? Yes.
Prior to the show I interviewed Anthrax
bassist Frank Bello, who also happened to be accompanied by Belladonna, which
made for engaging conversation while they watched the New York Jets fall to the
Baltimore Ravens. Bello made a convincing case for the reunion (which I will
document here at a later date) and said their performance would prove that, as
they have been doing for the last seven months.
Surprisingly the venue was barely half
full as Anthrax took the stage, a fact which never changed even after Priest
began their set. The crowd was comprised of human beings who I suspect have trouble
functioning in real life, most apparent victims of near fatal car crashes,
which left them sporting mullets, black jeans and white sneakers and fat beer
guts. Hunt me down and string me up, but never have I witnessed such a bigger
collection of rejects in one building.
Anthrax opened with ÒAmong The LivingÓ, the band older but
just as potent musically. The set was comprised totally of vintage 80Õs
favorites, the letdown being the inclusion of covers ÒGot The TimeÓ and ÒAntisocialÓ.
While classics like ÒIndiansÓ, ÒN.F.L.Ó, ÒCaught In A MoshÓ, ÒMedusaÓ,
MadhouseÓ and ÒI Am The LawÓ were met with appreciation, they could have
squeezed in ÒLone JusticeÓ, Gung HoÓ or ÒPanicÓ at the expense of the covers.
The crowd was slow to catch on to the bandÕs vintage thrash heroics, but once
they did, gave them the reception they deserved. Scott Ian seems to have
rediscovered his guitar tone after a decade of it going MIA and Danny Spitz
looked happy to be on stage again, a decade after being frozen out.
The lack of Bush tracks was to be
expected but hopefully Anthrax doesnÕt play themselves into too much of a
timewarp in the future. Bello insisted to me that he is more concerned with
being current than living in the past and that playing ÒAmong The LivingÓ isnÕt
his desire every night, but to restablish the band as a unit again, right now
it is necessary. The power of Anthrax has always been undisputed and remains
so, regardless of who is in the band. The main thing is they appear genuine in
their devotion to their cause and the hostility of the past is now gone. A job
well done.
Judas Priest on the other hand successfully conquered their
reunion tour on last yearÕs Ozzfest, so the mammoth tour to support ÒAngel Of
RetributionÓ sought to capitalize on OzzfestÕs success. The main worry I had
was a similar setlist to Ozzfest which was all too real. The addition of ÒSolar
AngelsÓ, Turbo LoverÓ, ÒIÕm A RockerÓ and ÒRiding The WindÓ was the only real
eye opener, while the new album was highlighted with ÒJudas RisingÓ, ÒWorth
Fighting ForÓ, ÒRevolutionÓ and ÒHellriderÓ. Elsewhere it was Ozzfest repeated:
ÒBeyond The Realms Of DeathÓ, ÒPainkillerÓ, ÒVictim Of ChangesÓ, ÒDesert
PlainsÓ, ÒBreaking The LawÓ, ÒLiving After MidnightÓ, ÒYouÓve Got Another Thing
CominÓ, ÒElectric Eye É I canÕt go on.
Priest are so good at what they do that even with the
familiarity it works, with over 30 years under their belt of metal classics
there is no excuse for it to be another way. The volume was deafening and the heaviness
was at times astounding. The rendetion of ÒVictim Of ChangesÓ was met with a
standing ovation, while ÒPainkillerÓ was a definite assault on the senses. The
arena, even half full, was gracious in its applause for the titans of the
genre, particulalry Halford, the man a true legend. While itÕs true the
overplayed favorites hinder proceedings, the charisma and stage presence of the
band wins out.In the future consideration should be given to some more obscure
numbers. I grow weary of the shit casual fan winning out.
This night the true
metal fan did win out, however. With both bands in the best form of their lives
in a mediocre era, this tour should be essential viewing for any metal fan. As
the years progress, the chances become slimmer, but at the same time age means
nothing. ThatÕs been proven by bands older than this pair. IÕm taken aback that
the show didnÕt sell out in that regard. I thought Priest and Anthrax might
have seen fans clamoring. It didnÕt seem so, but for those few normal enough to
realize it, they were the victors on this night.