Review and Photos by Fred Kuhlman
Promoter: Live Nation
Venue: The Van Buren (https://www.thevanburenphx.com )
Date: Tuesday July 26th, 2022
Tour: Anthrax – 40th Anniversary Tour 2022
It does not seem like 40 years when a new high speed, fast tempo and highly energetic form of metal emerged on the scene. At that time 4 bands were the leaders of this new form of metal music, Thrash Metal. One of those bands was Anthrax. Fronted by lead guitarist Scott Ian, this band set the standard for all future Thrash Metal bands.
Tonight, we got to hear the old guard and masters, Anthrax and a newer Thrash Metal band, Hatebreed. Both of these bands are classic style Thrash bands. Joining them on this tour is probably one of the hardest working and heaviest metal bands around, Black Label Society.
The Van Buren was standing room only and it was packed. I did notice that a mosh pit formed during both Hatebreed’s and Anthrax’s sets. I did not notice it during Black Label Society’s set. However, the crowd surfers were constant throughout the evening.
Overall, it was an awe-inspiring show. Anthrax turned up the volume to 11. By the end of the show, everyone was drained. The fans got every penny’s worth from these bands. This trio of metal bands will be touring together in the USA through the end of August 2022. In September through start of November, Anthrax will be touring Europe. Black Label Society will be touring Brazil during October. Check out when these bands will be in your area by going to their website. If 3 bands are coming to your area, I would highly recommend you going and experiencing this event. You get to see 3 of the best Thrash and Heavy Metal bands touring today in one concert.
Be prepared to get royally screwed by the parking lots around The Van Buren. A number of the parking areas have put in computerized meters where you have to put in your license plate number and then pay $30 via credit card for the privilege of parking. So just be aware of this outrageous rip-off.
Anthrax
What can I say about Anthrax other then they are the masters of Thrash Metal. Initially founded by guitarist Scott Ian in 1982. Drummer Charlie Benante, bass player Frank Bello and lead singer Joey Belladonna have been part of the band since 1984. The newest member guitarist Jonathan Donais filled out the band in 2013. As with most metal bands, they have 2 very good guitarists that provide the power riffs and stinging hot licks that drive the music. Charlie’s drumming provides the deep soul moving (and mosh pit) tempo. The bass line provided by Frank adds overdriving strength to an already pulse pounding sound. Charlie and Frank are the catalyst for getting the fans thrashing and the mosh pit going wild. Joey is such a dynamic lead singer; he commands the stage and brings the songs to life. But remember, Scott and Jon are the driving power team that sets this style of music out from other forms of metal music.
This is the second time I have seen Anthrax and by far this was the best show. They were at the top of their game and were amazing. The stage setup was impressive with a very good light show and the multiple stage platforms allowed the band to move around easily.
The show started with the stage screened by a white sheet. Then about a 10 minute+ intro movie played where multiple artists commented on Anthrax. It was very impressive seeing these other amazing musicians and them indicating how impressed they thought Anthrax was. It is also amazing to see a band survive for 40 years with almost the same line-up (4 of the 5 members). Listening to and watch them, you would never know that they are all almost 60 years old. Ian can still shred with the best guitarist.
By the time Anthrax got on stage, I was already drained. Hatebreed and Black Label Society were overwhelming. But once Scott started shredding and Joey belted out “Among The Living” I was revived and ready to rock again. The fans immediately started the mosh pit and it was slamming. Throughout the show we were taken from one high to another. It was breathtaking to see how fast Scott could shred.
To check out the tour dates for Anthrax and see if they are coming to your area, go to their website or Facebook page. You can also see their videos on their YouTube Channel.
Website: https://www.anthrax.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/anthrax
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAaoOvkl49ngKzomWxpjzGg
Photos by Fred Kuhlman, All Rights Reserved
Anthrax Setlist: (Album / Cover)
Celebrity Anthrax Intro
Among the Living (Among the Living)
Caught in a Mosh (Among the Living)
Madhouse (Spreading the Disease)
Metal Thrashing Mad (Fistful of Metal)
Breathing Lightning (For All Kings)
Keep It in the Family (Persistence of Time)
Antisocial (Répression / Trust cover)
I Am the Law (Among the Living)
In the End (Worship Music)
(Dedicated to Ronnie James Dio, Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul)
Only (Sound of White Noise)
Bring the Noise (It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back / Public Enemy cover)
(Partial, one verse & chorus only)
Indians (Among the Living)
Black Label Society
Black Label Society is the child of the wild man himself, Zakk Wylde. Zakk started his career with Ozzy Osbourne replacing legendary guitarists Jake E. Lee and Randy Rhoads.
I first saw Zakk when he was part of the Generation Axe tour in 2017 with other remarkable guitarists, Steve Vai, Nuno Bettencourt, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Tosin Abasi. Zakk has also been in bands, Pantera, Pride & Glory and Zakk Sabbath, his tribute to Black Sabbath.
But Black Label Society is Zakk’s child. He started it in 1998 and since then has released 16 albums. Called “The Lord of the Riffs”, Zakk released his latest album, Doom Crew Inc. Tonight’s setlist contained 3 songs from this new album, but the majority of the songs were a mix from prior albums.
Joining Zakk on stage were his fellow Black Label Society band mates, rhythm guitarist Dario Lorina, drummer Jeff Fabb and bass player John (JD) DeServio.
I have seen a large number of Heavy Metal bands, but by far Black Label Society is one of the best and heaviest. When they entered the stage, they took over the venue. Everyone was mesmerized by the power of this band.
Zakk is known for 2 major stage things, his plaid kilt and his unique guitars. With his long hair, his wild looking beard, the vest and kilt, Zakk looks like someone from a Braveheart movie. His on-stage appearance and movements make him seem like a “wild man”, but in reality, he is extremely controlled. As for his guitars, I saw him perform with at least 4 different guitars. Like a lot of other great guitarists, Zakk has custom decorated axes.
If you get a chance to see Black Label Society or Zakk Wylde, I strongly recommend it. It is probably one of the highest energy metal shows out there. By the end of his set, I was drained.
Check out where Black Label Society will be touring over the next few months on either their website or Facebook page. For my friends in Brasil, they are coming there in October so if you get a chance to see them, please check them out.
Website: https://blacklabelsociety.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/blacklabelsociety
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg6Vz21ViEsKkQLxuOJgQzQ
Photos by Fred Kuhlman, All Rights Reserved
Black Label Society Setlist: (Album / Cover)
Whole Lotta Sabbath (Intro)
Funeral Bell (The Blessed Hellride)
Destroy & Conquer (Doom Crew Inc.)
Overlord (Order of the Black)
Heart of Darkness (Catacombs of the Black Vatican)
A Love Unreal (Grimmest Hits)
You Made Me Want to Live (Doom Crew Inc.)
In This River (Mafia)
Trampled Down Below (Grimmest Hits)
Set You Free (Doom Crew Inc.)
(Dedicated to Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul)
Fire It Up (Mafia)
Suicide Messiah (Mafia)
Stillborn (The Blessed Hellride)
Hatebreed
We consider Hatebreed one of the new breed of Thrash Metal bands, but in truth they have been around for 20 years. Hatebreed consists of lead singer Jamey Jasta, bass player Chris Beattie, drummer Matt Byrne, guitarist Frank Novinec and Wayne Lozinak.
Hatebreed was the perfect starting band for this concert. They brought an energy to the stage that was infectious. The crowd responded by jumping and creating the start of the mosh pit for the evening. The band even egged on the pit to circle faster. Seeing Hatebreed just by themselves would be a great concert, but combined with these other 2 great bands makes the show outstanding.
Checkout Hatebreed’s future tour dates and location on either their website or Facebook page. You can also see their videos on their YouTube Channel.
Website: https://www.hatebreed.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/hatebreed
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/hatebreedofficial
Photos by Fred Kuhlman, All Rights Reserved
Hatebreed Setlist: (Album)
Proven (Perseverance)
Destroy Everything (Supremacy)
Tear It Down (The Rise of Brutality)
Instinctive (Slaughterlust) (Weight of the False Self)
A Stroke of Red (Weight of the False Self)
Perseverance (Perseverance)
Driven by Suffering (Satisfaction Is the Death of Desire)
Looking Down the Barrel of Today (The Concrete Confessional)
I Will Be Heard (Perseverance)
