Anthrax & Kreator / Civic Hall / Wolverhampton
For any metal fans, this was a show not to miss, as legendary thrash merchants Anthrax hit town co-headlining with Kreator, and with very special guests Testament. The Civic Halls is packed from the outset, as this in many ways is really tri-headliner lol.
First up to delight the crowd are American thrash metallers Testament. Formed back in 1983 in Berkeley California the band lineup currently consists of Eric Peterson(guitar), Chuck Billy (vocals), Alex Skolnick (guitar), Steve Di Giorgio (bass) and Chris Dovas (drums). They’ve released thirteen studio albums. Seen by many as one of the most influential thrash bands.
And as you’d expect from such legends, Testament didn’t disappoint, opening the show with a blistering set. With flames shooting to the rafters the heat, and energy levels are rising fast, as they open with D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate).
Chris Dovas is a powerhouse behind the drum kit and his pounding beats drive through the blistering riffs from Eric and Alex. It doesn’t take long for a circle pit to develop and Chuck Billy is a puppet master on stage, directing the crowd and raising the atmosphere even higher, strutting around playing his virtual guitar.
The set goes by all to quickly. Its packed with hits and fan favourites from start to finish, and we end fittingly with Into the Pit.
Testiment delivered an incredible set, and reminded us why all these years later they areas are as relevant as ever.
Setlist
D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)
3 Days in Darkness
WWIII
Children of the Next Level
The Formation of Damnation
Dark Roots of Earth
True American Hate
Low
Native Blood
Electric Crown
More Than Meets the Eye
Into the Pit
Next up, are Kreator, formed in 1982 in Essen, Germany and the bands current line up is Miland "Mille" Petrozza (vocals & guitar), Jürgen "Ventor" Reil (drums), Sami Yli-Sirniö (guitar) and Frédéric Leclercq(bass). The band's lineup has changed multiple times through the years with just Petrozza and Reil the only remaining original members.
Kreator has released fifteen studio albums to date, the most recent being 2022’s “Hate Über Alles”, and the band is currently working on new material for a next album.
As the stage is prepared, a huge curtain is hung to hide the design. As the lights drop and the band emerge, the lights blaze into acion, the screen drops revealing the band and the stage design. With the drums on a riser centre stage, the band are framed by two huge inflated demons, menacingly looking down on us.
They open the set with the title song of the latest album Hate Über Alles and once again the flames from the front of the stage are singeing our hair in the pit. The heat is intense. Once again, the energy levels are off the scale with powering riffs and deep fast beats assaulting our ears and by the time we reach Enemy of God, the driving riff, pulsing flames and flashing strobes are relentless.
Kreator are on cracking form, each element fitting perfectly with the others, and Petroza’s voice is in sublime form with a rich powerful tone. The chorus sections are catchy and have everyone singing along, horns in the air. With so many fan favourites on show, there are plenty of crackers on offer, but I really enjoyed Hail to the Hordes, Satan Is Real, Strongest of the Strong and The Patriarch. The guitars are the ever present driving force behind their sound, and the solos blend seamlessly into the wider song structures.
There is a theatrical extravagance to Kreators performance but this never gets in the way of their intelligent thrash sound.
I’ve not been so hot in the Civic Hall before. The combination of flames and intense crowd energy has raised the temperature significantly, and the air con can’t cope.
Setlist
Hate Über Alles
Phobia
Coma of Souls (Intro only)
Enemy of God
666 - World Divided
Hordes of Chaos (A Necrologue for the Elite)
Hail to the Hordes
Betrayer
Satan Is Real
Mars Mantra
Phantom Antichrist
Strongest of the Strong
Terrible Certainty
The Patriarch
Violent Revolution
Pleasure to Kill
And its time for tonights main act, Anthrax. Once again a large screen is draped in front of the stage while the techs get to work preparing everything.
Formed in New York in 1981 by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker, Anthrax are considered one of the leaders of the thrash metal scene from the 1980s and is part of the "Big Four" of the genre, along with Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer. The band currently consists of Scott Ian (guitar), Charlie Benante (drums), Frank Bello (bass), Jonathan Donais (guitar) and vocalist Joey Belladonna.
Unlike Kreator, the screen is ot to hide some elaborate stage design, its there as a screen, as a film is projected on it, with a long list of A list celebs and musicians expressing their love for Anthrax. Each new face on the screen draws huge cheers from the crowd, as round the corner I can see the band getting into position. As the film ends, and with a loud bang, the screen drops, and the lights flood the stag as they dive right into opening track A.I.R.
This is all about the music….. thrash at its utter best as they showcase their iconic blend of styles including the influence of hardcore, punk and rock which creates their unique sound.and even a hint of rockabilly, which has created their unique and enduring sound.
I have to say, I saw Anthrax some time ago on their last UK tour, and they were great, but tonight they felt even better despite being more than a year older lol. Joey Belladonna’s vocals are absolutely on point, soaring majestically over the crisp riffs demonstrating an incredible range. Walking every inch of the stage, holding out a 360 camera, you couldn’t wipe the smile off Joey’s face if you tried. As ever Scott’s energy levels are tremendous as he punishes his fretboard and strings, his face packed with emotion as he makes his Jackson V sing.
The crowd are going crazy, the circle pit is swirling and bodies are flying over into the pit as Anthrax run through hit after hit after hit. Frank Bello is as entertaining as Joey and Scott, pulling some extreme facial expressions as he works his bass hard to extract deep punching ear bursting notes.
All their biggest its are on display, including Got the Time (Joe Jackson cover which has racked up over 50 million Spotify plays), Madhouse, Indians and Caught in a Mosh. Joey seems ageless as he races round the stage, reaching out to the crowd grinning from ear to ear.
Anthrax come over as having genuinely enjoyed every last second, and the crowd are baying for more as the band leave the stage waving. With three legendary bands one after another, this was always going to be something special, and it didn’t disappoint.
Still at the forefront of thrash, we certainly haven’t seen the last of testament, Kreator or Anthrax, and there’s no sign of slowing down, and right now, with the form they’re in ? I can’t wait to see them again !
Setlist
A.I.R.
Got the Time (Joe Jackson cover)
Caught in a Mosh
Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't
Madhouse
Be All, End All
Metal Thrashing Mad
I Am the Law
The Devil You Know
Antisocial (Trust cover)
Indians
Gung-Ho
