Anthrax & Kreator Join Forces With Testament In London

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Anthrax & Kreator Unite With Testament At The Hammersmith Apollo, London

Band Photo: Testament (?)

Thrash metal remains a captivating genre. Considered the pioneering metal sub-genre, it blends the powerful melodies of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden with the rebellious spirit of punk legends such as Discharge and Dead Kennedys, perpetuating a youthful vibe in metal and standing in stark contrast to the glam aesthetics of Motley Crue and Poison. Over four decades since the initial releases from giants like Metallica and Slayer, thrash continues to hold significant relevance in the metal scene, with many of its prominent figures enjoying enduring popularity. Recently, three of these legendary acts came together for a tour that fans are sure to cherish, even if both bands and attendees now focus more on mortgages and car payments than skateboarding and day drinking.

Just a few months back, Kreator and Testament journeyed across the United States and Canada for the North American leg of the Klash of the Titans tour, and with Anthrax stepping in for Possessed for the European shows, it was Testament’s moment to initiate the heavy metal evening. It’s rare to genuinely say that Testament delivered a lackluster performance, and such was the case tonight, as the Bay Area representatives kicked off the night with “D.N.R.,” a crowd favorite from their stellar 1999 album, “The Gathering,” immediately followed by “3 Darks Of Darkness” from the same release. Twenty-five years following the launch of this cult classic record, it was refreshing to enjoy its tracks alongside both timeless favorites and newer material.

In their special guest slot, Testament had limited time to leave their mark, but they certainly made it count with several tracks from their reunion era and beyond, featuring “More Than Meets The Eye” and the album title track from “The Formation Of Damnation,” as well as “Native Blood” from “Dark Roots Of Earth” and two songs from their latest effort, “Titans Of Creation.” “The Ritual” often sees “Electric Crown” as its live representation, yet tonight Testament surprised the crowd by performing “Return To Serenity” for the first time since 2000. Naturally, most sets conclude with a classic, and tonight was no different as the band capped off their performance with “Into The Pit,” the only track showcased from their eighties catalog. A thrilling conclusion to a powerful set.

Next up is the first of our co-headliners. Germany is frequently swiftly mentioned in discussions of thrash metal, having birthed numerous incredible bands, with Kreator often cited as the top contender. Years on, the band continues to innovate and produce captivating new music that balances theatrics with intensity, demonstrated right from the start with “Hate Über Alles,” the title track from their latest album. Flanked by two enormous inflatable devils on either side of the stage (which amusingly reminded me of Spinal Tap’s stint on The Simpsons), the quartet delivered an electrifying performance. Just as they transitioned into “Phobia,” gallows were revealed above the stage, releasing mannequins adorned with nooses. Critics might label this as overly theatrical, but for those who appreciate a well-crafted show, and recognize the genre’s origins with Alice Cooper and Black Widow, it’s a delight to witness such creative elements still employed.

Kreator’s core strength lies in their music, which was thoroughly represented in this setlist. “Violent Revolution,” “Enemy Of God,” “Hordes Of Chaos,” and “Phantom Antichrist” each earned their rightful spotlight as title tracks, established Kreator standards by this point, while older crowd favorites like “Betrayer” and “Terrible Certainty” also made the cut. The band’s 2018 release “Gods Of Violence” enjoyed notable success, earning a couple of spots in the lineup with “Hail To The Hordes” and the stunning “Satan Is Real,” as well as a return to “Hate Über Alles” through “Strongest Of The Strong.” As always, each band member brought abundant enthusiasm to the set, with frontman Mille Petrozza’s vocals remaining fierce and cutting, igniting plenty of mosh pits with his rallying cries. Kreator proves their ability to excite audiences in any venue, but in an expansive setting, they beautifully embody both the grand and the grim with their music. Interestingly, I believe this was the first instance I witnessed Kreator not performing “Flag Of Hate,” but the powerful closure of “Pleasure To Kill” was as thrilling as anticipated. Excellent performance.

After what felt like a slight delay, the lights dimmed, and a short film began to play on the stage curtain, featuring actor and internet icon Keanu Reeves expressing his admiration for Anthrax, followed by similar affirmations from Lady Gaga and Stephen King. Call me eccentric, but it seemed clear that Anthrax was gearing up to make their entrance. A series of appearances from renowned figures such as Tom Morello, Mark Osegueda of Death Angel, and Kiss bassist Gene Simmons (who encountered his fair share of boos) preceded a brief animated segment showcasing a skateboarder dispatching Nazis and Klansmen, which is always a welcomed sight. However, as entertaining as this was, at six minutes, it felt excessive and was time that could’ve been allocated to another song, especially with the 11 PM curfew looming.

Without fail, the curtain fell, and the rulers of New York thrash metal stormed onto the stage with “A.I.R.,” the first of three tracks from “Spreading The Disease.” While people often overlook Anthrax for some reason, their live performances have consistently been razor-sharp. Scott Ian remains as precise and incisive as ever, alongside fellow guitarist Jonathan Donais, whose eleven years in the band have flown by, and of course, the energetic Frankie Bello on bass. Although nearly forty years have passed since its release, the song still sounds refreshingly heavy and impactful. However, there is an ongoing debate among fans concerning frontman Joey Belladonna. While he undoubtedly retains a dedicated following, there are many who argue that bringing him back into the band was a mistake, and his live vocal performance often fuels this contention. He’s not lacking in enthusiasm, as he brings palpable energy to the stage, but it was admittedly a challenge to discern the lyrics, and while he isn’t in poor form like Vince Neil, he was the one area of weakness tonight.

Yet, nobody wants to dwell on the downsides, and as mentioned, Belladonna and the rest of the band pressed on, sustaining the energy with a fantastic cover of Joe Jackson’s “Got The Time,” before giving fans their first taste of the classic “Among The Living” album with “Caught In A Mosh.” The setlist also included some newer tracks, with Anthrax showcasing “Fight ’em ’til You Can’t” and “The Devil You Know” from 2009’s “Worship Music,” which received a favorable reaction. They still had heavy hitters left in their repertoire, with “Madhouse” roaring to life, as did their homage to the legendary UK comic book character Judge Dredd, “I Am The Law.”

Fans will recognize that their rendition of Trust’s “Antisocial” is always a highlight of an Anthrax concert, and tonight was no exception. As the band announced the approach of the show’s conclusion, they performed “Indians,” and then Scott Ian prompted the crowd for one last song, exclaiming, “Well you’re getting one whether you like it or not,” and concluded the set with “Gung Ho.” Despite the critiques regarding the vocal performance, Anthrax consistently impresses with their musicianship and vigor, solidifying their status as one of the tightest live thrash metal bands to date, and tonight served as a vivid reminder of why they continue to command respect and admiration.