Anthrax – Kings Among Scotland (DVD)
Aprils 27, 2018
Captured on February 15, 2017 at the band’s sold-out concert at Glasgow’s historic venue the Barrowland Ballroom, Kings Among Scotland is Anthrax’s latest DVD release that has the band performing two sets of Anthrax classics old and new. The first set has Anthrax performing on a very stripped down, small stage set up that is reminiscent of their older club dates. With just drums, a backdrop, and amplifier scrims, and the band ripping through a first set of classics, Anthrax sound better than ever. I know that’s a corny statement but kicking things off with A.I.R and “Madhouse” just proves my point.
There is energy, a fire, a life in Anthrax that I haven’t seen since the Persistence of Time days. Part of it, I believe, is the addition of lead guitarist John Donais. John plays these songs like he’s been playing them all his life and even the other guys look so youthful that Donais doesn’t look out of place. Newer songs like “Evil Twin” and “Fight ‘em ‘til You Can’t” stand really strong among this set of classics. I love it that bands like Anthrax can still create new material that sounds very much relevant in modern times but doesn’t stray from their classic roots.
The 2nd set of the show had Anthrax performing the Among the Living album in it’s entirety. “Among the Living”, “Caught in a Mosh”, and all the other classic songs were so great to see and visually, it was even better because for this set, the band had a full on stage set that reminded me of the Among the Living tour. The band powered through the album as if the album had just been released and getting to hear rarities such as “A Skeleton in the Closet” and “Imitation of Life” is a fucking treat. With that being said, I do have a few issues with this release.
My first issue was the lighting. Whoever thought at some point in time that LED lighting was good for stage lighting should be fisted to death. LED lighting is absolutely horrible in photos and in even worse in video. There were so many times where it just didn’t look good and it really made it distracting. My second issue was the packaging. I really hate this trend now of packaging DVDs in the same size digipaks as CDs. It’s awkward and I’m an old curmudgeon so stop changing things. Finally, Anthrax, please give Among the Living a rest.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Among the Living but in my honest opinion I don’t consider it to be their best release. While it may be their most iconic release, I find it to be nowhere as strong as Persistence of Time. I always found it a bummer that the only attention that album gets is the worst song on the album (“Got the Time”). That album had so many of their best songs and I wish at some point they will put aside this never ending love for Among the Living and shift it to Persistence of Time. With all of that being said, I enjoyed the living fuck out of this DVD.
Kings Among Scotland has Anthrax at the top of their game and how can one not mention that Joey Belladonna is hands down one of metal’s greatest front men. The way that he commands an audience is something that is terribly underrated and is resuscitated Anthrax. Combine that with the addition of Donais and the fact that Anthrax’s last 2 albums are two of their best since Persistence of Time and you have a recipe for longevity, integrity and perseverance. Anthrax is still in their prime and Kings Among Scotland is a loud and clear testament to that statement.
About The Author
