Lords of metal: Anthrax comes to Spokane Arena

Some say that metal music can’t stand the test of time, but one band belonging to heavy metal’s Big Four has something else to say.
Legendary thrash pioneers, Anthrax, played an anticipated show Monday April 27, at the Spokane Memorial Arena.
The metal quartet crashed the stage in matching uniforms sporting pentagrams while stomping around the stage viciously; just like they did when they hit the scene in the 80s.
Though much older and playing between two younger bands, Anthrax put on an energetic show that had the crowd collectively throwing metal horns to the air, also gaining acceptance from those who were there to see headliner Volbeat.
“At the end of the show everyone’s hands are in the air, and that means so much because it means we’ve won over new fans,” Anthrax bassist Frank Bello said.

Lead Singer of Anthrax pumps up the crowd during the show. Lily Anderson/Sentinel

Their performance started out with a variety of hits that the band has produced throughout the years. The band took the stage with full force by starting with the thrash metal anthem “Caught in a Mosh” which got momentum going in the crowd who had been much calmer during the opening act.
Members of the band were all over the stage getting the audience to get pumped. Lead vocalist Joey Belladonna ran between both sides of the stage and proudly saluted crowd members between howling into the microphone. Guitarist Scott Ian and Frank Bello both interacted with crowd members as well, throwing up devil horns in respect for those who were caught in the mosh.

Guitarist of Anthrax wows the crowd with a sweet riff. Lily Anderson/ Sentinel

The band also played songs like “Madhouse” and “Got the Time” as well other fan favorites.
At the start of the tour, Anthrax debut their new single from the “Game of Thrones Mixtape,” “Soror Irrumator,” which was released back in early March 2015.
“I didn’t expect this but we’ve played two shows so far and I didn’t know how it would go over, it’s a new song for one,” said Bello, “The first two nights (of the tour) everyone’s hands were in the air.”
The band is currently working on their 11th studio album that is due out later this year. The album is much anticipated especially after the commercial success of the bands most recent album, “Worship Music.”
“This new album is a step heavier,” said Bello, “We feel really good about where we are at right now.”
Bello also stated that there are lots of great songs that are being debated on whether or not they will make the final cut but assured the album will stay true to what the band is all about.
“We never tried to follow trends, we just wrote what came out of us,” said Bello. “You just don’t try to catch up with people, do your own thing”