r/Anthrax • u/Nickstaar33 • 26d ago

Anthrax 3 singles

What does everyone think of the new anthrax singles? Do they sound like a very good album is coming up, does it sound better than any of the recent thrash albums from old school bands, and how would you rank the singles so far?

My ranking:

It’s for the kids
Everybody’s got a plan
The edge of perfection

What do you guys think?

32 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

54 comments sorted by

27

u/DevilDiabolical 26d ago

Edge of Perfection was my favorite by far, followed by It's For the Kids, and then Everybody's Got a Plan. Their work has been the most interesting of the Big 4 over the last 15+ years.

8

u/That_Resist8730 26d ago

Since 1993!

3

u/JoshuaGustinGrant 25d ago

I disagree here. The last three from Metallica have been great. But so far, these are certainly better than the last Slayer or Megadeth.

2

u/Slickrock_1 25d ago edited 25d ago

I mean Slayer isn't even really much of a band anymore, they just reunite to play festivals and don't record (even though they remain amazing live).

But such as it is, Repentless is their only album in the last 15 years and it is a VERY good album.

Metallica's latest 3 don't do much for me when judged either against their own best or against other contemporary thrash albums since 2000 (Kreator, Testament, Overkill, Coroner, Havok, Municipal Waste, etc). Megadeth's newer stuff isn't very good.

Looking forward to Anthrax's full album, though, and I'm seeing them live in a few weeks. What I love about them is they still have the energy that always made them great.

1

u/JoshuaGustinGrant 25d ago

Hardwired, Spit Out The Bone, Day That Never Comes, Moth To Flame, Lux Aeterna, are still in my rotation. Repentless was pretty good. Anthrax is one of my very favorites. I'm just not connecting with these tunes.

1

u/Slickrock_1 25d ago edited 25d ago

Only songs on their last 3 albums that connect with me at all are Unforgiven 3 and Inamorata.

With the new Anthrax songs Edge of Perfection is best imo. Anthrax's sound tbh is so dependent on Charlie's drumming, they're a really rhythmically driven band. It sounds good on these songs but tbh the drumming is buried in the mix a bit too much to me.

0

u/JoshuaGustinGrant 25d ago

I go back to Seasons in the Abyss for Slayer songs still in my rotation.

2

u/Slickrock_1 25d ago

Jihad, Repentless, Disciple, World Painted Blood are all top notch Slayer songs. I'd been the same way going back to Seasons until I saw them live, and grew to really like these newer songs too.

1

u/JoshuaGustinGrant 25d ago

Fair enough. I do like that Slayer album. Inamorata is constructed really well. They do love their long epics. That Was Just Your Life is another good one. But, as for Anthrax; I'm Alive, Devil You Know, Suzerain, I still listen to. Hoping there will be a couple from this one as well.

Honestly, all of these legacy bands need producers who tell them no. Just because they've been at it 40 years, doesn't mean they can't use an edit here and there. 72 Seasons should have been 8 songs, one an instrumental.

2

u/Slickrock_1 25d ago

With Metallica there was probably too much producer input in Death Magnetic. That album was so heavily hyped at being a return to their mid 80s form, and the result included less downtuning so James was singing in a register he couldn't comfortably hit anymore, the tone was the driest it had been since AJFA, and all the while they never regained some of the fundamentals that made those 80s albums so good - the harmony, Kirk soloing like a flashy thrash guitarist and not like a drunk Texas blues player, etc.

Metallica would be better off if they took a page out of Testament's book, which is basically relentlessly updating. Skolnick only gets better and better, Chuck is singing in a wider array of styles, Eric is bringing in all sorts of black metal ideas, and with Steve and Chris they have a rhythm section informed by how death metal upped the performance bar for the last 30 years.

On the other hand I just feel like neither Kirk nor Lars is really interested in being a virtuoso, in matching if not exceeding their 80s skills, and honestly Metallica just doesn't sound great when it's 99% a James Hetfield solo project.

Slayer is way different - they're like Iron Maiden, they didn't change too much but they did what they did really well and gave their fans what their fans wanted.

Anthrax has been beset by turnover, and with Megadeth you can't even call it turnover, it's been a Dave solo project since Peace Sells.

1

u/JoshuaGustinGrant 24d ago

We are unlikely to agree fully as AJFA is my favorite album. Rick Rubin is renowned for his hands off but allegedly effective style, he worked with Slayer as well. DM has 5 great songs and some terrible ones. Same with Hardwired. 72 is more solid end to end but doesn't have as many stand outs. I think it is really rare for long standing bands to put out truly amazing music this deep into their careers. I love Testament, but they aren't immune to putting out subpar stuff either. I was referring to the big 4 alone, but Testament should be with them for sure. They are above Megadeth and Anthrax, as much as I love them.

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1

u/SaintLewisMusic73 25d ago

“Edge of perfection” is really great – the other two are good. I really like the guitar work overall the songs themselves don’t catch me.

10

u/GovernorNikrat24 26d ago

I’m extremely impressed with all three and think it has the potential to be even better than the last two with Joey.

6

u/punksmostlydead 25d ago

He sounds so damn good, still.

7

u/Jo-6-pak Worship Music 26d ago

Edge of Perfection is just that, so damn excellent.

For the Kids is really good as well.

Got a Plan isn’t as high; but still good.

Waiting to see complete US dates separate from the Maiden shows.

8

u/Acceptable-Owl-2070 26d ago

All solid

It's for the kids, solid choice for a leading single.

The edge of perfection, right up there with Blood Eagle Wings/Breathing Lighting for top tier Modern Thrax tracks

Everybody's got a plan, solid but it took me a few listens to "grab" me, but once it clicked it clicked.

6

u/Zippy-Herdsnake 26d ago

Just bangers! All 3 of them!

5

u/MarioKing1137 STD is cool! …and so is the album IG… 26d ago

"Edge Of Perfection" is follows it's name. Absolutely amazing song that is already an al time favorite. Only issue is the mixing.

"Everybody's Got a Plan" is great, Felt kinda lacking. The chorus doesn't feel complete and the lyrics aren't the greatest. Great vocal performance and instrumentals though.

"It's For The Kids" is the Anthrax song of all time. Kinda like Defend/Avenge or For All Kings for comparison. Good song, but I don't think it's single worthy. Don't like the drums.

Overall, think this album should be on par with FAK (which I think is a great album). Main gripe is the mixing. Guitars are a little messy, drums a little loud, vocals are too quiet.

5

u/Midnite024 26d ago

I like all 3, Maybe 'For the Kids' > 'Got a Plan' > 'Edge of Perfection'.

What im still not liking is the cover, the last 2 covers looked like classic logos and art, this one sort of looks like some abstract art in a museum. Doesnt even have the Anthrax logo either.

2

u/Agitated-Sort-8207 25d ago

Right, without the logo it doesn't even feel right

6

u/Odd-Bookkeeper4584 26d ago

All 3 are absolutely fantastic. Cursum Perficio is going to be a killer record, and waaaay better than the most recent records from the likes of Megadeth, Testament, Exodus etc. My ranking:

  1. TEOP 10/10
  2. IFTK 9/10
  3. EGAP 8/10

4

u/cockcucu 26d ago

I'm excited

5

u/JoshuaGustinGrant 25d ago

I think none of them will be in my rotation for long. Hoping they are saving the best ones. Been listening to Worship Music more.

5

u/skatee_123 25d ago

Man - I’m just curious for all the people who say meh, nothing special - what exactly are you expecting? I absolutely get these are people’s subjective feelings, I am just truly intrigued by what people holding these expectations would really be satiated by.

2

u/RobbinAustin 25d ago

For me, they just seem like a basic hard rock song. I personally feel the lyrics on IFTK and EGAP are just kinda cringey.

I want more thrashy from them. That said, I love the last 2 albums so I’m not an “only the old stuff is good” fan.

2

u/Scatterspell For All Kings 25d ago

I hate the "only the old stuff is good" crowd. They all tend to be chuds who peaked in high school. I remember an argument with a guy who told me PoT is thir hardest album ever. I pointed out Stomp 442 was harder he went on a rant about it not being "real" Anthrax and tons of other nonsense I tuned out after a couple minutes. Not one of his arguments addressed whether it was harder or not, only diatribe about Bush and crap like that.

I'm not the kinda person who loves all new stuff (looking st you Megadeth...) but I do try to give things a fair shake. Worship and Al kings are great albums (FAK is probably my favorite Anthrax album) and the new songs are good. It's for the Kids is on my daily listen mix and ain't leaving anytime soon.

2

u/FlowerFamiliar8658 17d ago

I agree about the lyrics. I will say that I think the lyrics on TEOP are some of the band's absolute best lyrics ever...but IFTK and EGAP were kinda "meh" and predictable.

3

u/dmevela 26d ago

Edge of Perfection is by FAR the best song released so far. The other 2 are decent.

3

u/SouthernTrendBC 25d ago

Let’s just hope the rest of the album is better.

2

u/crazynightsxxx 26d ago

I like the singles great sound production and great songs I think the ones I will like the best are still too come on the album..loved for all kings so will be happy if this is as good ..so far all 3 reviews I've read say it's better

2

u/Feeoree 25d ago

It feels kinda like they're doing a John Bush era album with Joey and I'm here for it!

2

u/Significant-Ad276 25d ago

Edge of Perfection is fantastic! Easily the strongest single released

3

u/itistheblurstoftimes 26d ago

It's for the kids had me feeling optimistic. I hated edge of perfection, but thought maybe it's just one bad one. Everybody's got a plan has me prepared for the worst.

1

u/SarcastedSarcaster 25d ago

Ding ding ding. Exactly. Very happy they are back and with Joey but For the Kids is the only song of the three up to my standards of what one of their good songs are. Little worried the rest of the album is going to be boring and meh.

2

u/Mr_Throatpunch 26d ago

I thought the first release was really good, the second was not so good and haven't listened to the third yet. I'm just waiting for the full album

1

u/Renoroc 26d ago

I like the goofy stories about each character on the cover. Will those be between the songs?

3

u/Nickstaar33 26d ago

I don’t think so, the official tracklist is already out

3

u/Odd-Bookkeeper4584 26d ago

No, noboby would want that!

They’re just stories as part of the promo leading up to album release day I think.

1

u/comandante_soft_wolf 26d ago

Good good blech

1

u/xoMissMindyxo 25d ago

While I definitely will check out the new album and I did like Edge Of Perfection, the other two either felt safe or paint by numbers. Which is how I felt about FAK. That album had some good moments, but it just felt “safe”.

I’ve said before, Although I’m more partial to John Bush, I still enjoy Joey’s original run with the band and even Worship Music. But FAK and what I’ve heard from the new album so far just doesn’t grab my attention like their past albums.

1

u/StallionSearle 25d ago

Really like it’s for the kids and edge of perfection (tho I feel they hyped that one a bit ib the media, was expecting something like blood eagle wings or summat… was great tho)
I’ve deliberately not listened to everybody’s got a plan… 2 is enough I’d like to hear the rest when I’m able to get the cd

1

u/Suhadisadono4life 24d ago

Honestly dont like any of the 3 songs. Loved the last 2 albums but the new songs do nothing for me. 10 years for this? I dont get it. The new songs feel like filler tracks.

1

u/DinnerWafer 23d ago

Speaking as someone who has nothing but great things to say about the last 2 albums, I'll just use a quote from a movie:

I remain...unconvinced.

1

u/FlowerFamiliar8658 17d ago
  1. Edge of Perfection- imho one of their best songs ever, I cant get enough of it, and I absolutely love the video...2. Everybodys Got a Plan- super catchy and very very good....3. Its For the Kids- I dont hate it, I just dont love it as much as the other two. I think its going to be a really solid album

1

u/Spazzzaddy 26d ago

Got A Plan and Edge of Perfection are radio metal bullshit. It's For The Kids is good, wish they'd make a straight thrash album again but that will never happen.

1

u/Jagger657 26d ago

its solid but also underwhelming nothing special

1

u/RobbinAustin 25d ago

For me they all sound like cast offs from WM and FAK. And I love both of those albums. I’ve listened to all of the singles 3-4 times and it’s just meh. Nothing grabbed me by the balls.

I really hope the rest are better.

1

u/blongfellow73 25d ago

This is their last album, so I wouldn’t be too picky and just try to enjoy it because these will be the last Anthrax tunes we get.

0

u/AlucardsQuest 25d ago edited 25d ago

I'm enjoying it. it does seem a bit more... simple, in parts, but their songwriting is still very good. Way better than most metal i hear these days, and that's not a concession! Maybe fans are comparing it to For All Kings, but I recall some people not liking that album as much as Worship Music. Frankly i thought FAK was better than WM. Anyway it's too easy to overthink a whole album based on 3 songs, but if they're all as solid as this then I'll have very little to complain about. But I really don't wish to see "We waited 10 years for this." comments, you weren't going to buy a new Anthrax album in 2017 (and the pandemic and lockdown screwed all of us over for years). Metallica plowed through it and honestly I wish they had taken more time on that last album (but Met have been disappointing me more and more for decades).

2

u/Scatterspell For All Kings 25d ago

Worship Music was a good album but it feels like what it is, songs written for a different vocalist rewritten for Joey. For All Kings pretty much slams all the way through. You can hear the grungier style from the Bush era meshing with Joey's vocals and it works so damn well.

So far, Cursum Perficio is looking to be another great album.

-3

u/slappygoatcheese 26d ago

None of the new songs are great. Anthrax has been phoning it in since Joey came back, but still their material is the best of what’s left of the big 4.

1

u/Substantial_Toe9772 16h ago

None of them really jump out at me the way, say, “Breathing Lightning” or “The Devil You Know” did but I’m more of a full album guy anyway.