Anthrax: Music of Mass Destruction - Live in Chicago [2003]

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic!!! look and learn Metallica.......2007-04-11

this is a superb DVD. the other reviews go into more detail than I will but one thing that stands out for me is the attention and thought that's gone into editting and presenting this gig.

the show itself is absolutely superb - amazing when you think that Anthrax have been around for 20-odd years yet they have the look and energy of a group just starting out.

Metallica could learn a thing or 2 from this performance, attitude and package for sure.

Music Thunderball.......2007-01-31

After all these years of waiting for a John Bush-era Anthrax DVD we finally got one. And it does not disappoint: it is neither a bland greatest hits DVD with just the-songs-people-know-since-the-eighties nor is it one of these "bold" discs that ignore all the classic stuff; Anthrax are still promoting their latest, almost universally loved album "We've Come For You All", and it shows - we have several songs from it here and it's yet another proof for how great this last effort is. On the other hand, we have a whole bunch of Anthrax's most popular tracks from the Belladonna times - if you haven't heard John Bush lending them his voice, there's one more huge reason you should stop reading this review and go buy the DVD!

All songs the guys chose for this disc are great but if you want to know about my personal highlights, here they go: "What Doesn't Die" opens the concert and right away tells us that the musicians do mean business. Oh, is this track heavy! And John Bush is soaking with sweat after some ten seconds of singing it!; "Got The Time" aways belonged to my favourite "speedos" by this band and I was a bit afraid they weren't going to include it on their DVD. Here it is, though, and it soon leaves Bush with, apparently, no single drop of sweat in his body; "Safe Home": just great! Only now, after watching it being performed live have I recognized the true beauty - and power - of this latest single; "Room For One More": ask me to choose my five favourite songs by Anthrax and this one's there. And listening to it now reminded me once again how good the album "Sound Of White Noise" is; "Belly Of The Beast": great atmospheric trip to the band's last album with Belladonna; "Refuse To Be Denied" is, I think, my favourite track from "We've Come For You All"; "Only": need I say more, folks? This hybrid of breakneck rhythm and uber-cool melody is again one of the band's greatest achievements and to hear it live is so thrilling that I am simply lost for words; then there's "Be All, End All" which I always thought was way underrated and am very glad to have it recorded here; and, finally, Benante starts drumming the intro to "Indians". And then he stops. 'D'you wannit?' asks Bush, dripping sweat. The audience goes crazy, obviously. "They wannit" he then tells Benante in a tired voice and the drummer starts the mighty track once again. Who the hell would not want "Indians"?!

These were the personal highlighlights but please note that I omitted such killer tracks as "Caught In A Mosh", "Antisocial" or "I Am The Law". They are all here, they sound best they could, but I'm just used to hearing them during an Anthrax show, that's why no place for them above. And what about "Bring The Noise"? I never really thought it is Anthrax at its finest but it works miracles when performed live and, like in this case, closing the show. A true music thunderball! Plus, it's nice to hear it degenerate into "Whiplash" for the final few seconds. And did I say Bush does his dive into the crowd during this one? And from quite an impressive height? There you go. A brave man. A brave band. And one genius, ear-splitting DVD.

There are some bonus features here, too. Two tracks where you can play with the camera angle ("Fueled" and 'Metal Thrashing Mad'), interviews, a gallery, discography and, most importantly, there's a CD with a shorter version of the concert. Adding these to DVD's is one of world's best ideas and it is good to see it employed for an Anthrax DVD, too.

Anthrax - harder than their kids.......2005-08-05

One of the guys from Stormtroopers of Death (I think it was Scott Ian) once said 'We're going to be the first generation thats tougher than our kids'. The performance on this DVD could be strong evidence for that theory.

Its true that many of the tracks are 'older' 'thrax staples, but they just illustrate how great a band they are. This stuff is still harder than contemporary metal. No need for show-boating, no need for make-up, just full on metal, non-stop.

Anthrax show their versatility within the metal genre. High-speed classics like Got the Time are balanced by power-ballady Safe Home. A great chance to enjoy the John Bush era too, since the band reforned the original lineup.

Nicely put together for a metal DVD. Lots of mixed angles with a couple of tracks including multi-angle shots (like the tracks on Cunning Stunts).

A mixed bunch of DVD extras. One mini-vid for each band member. Scott's is probably the only one of any real interest.

But you get all this AND a live CD too! Its reall annoying when you have a great live DVD but can't listen to the music outside your front room. The live CD in this set contains a slightlky different line up of tracks to the DVD. Some different songs, and some slightly edited versions of the DVD tracks (not the music, just some of the links are reduced).

A great package. Classic metal history that won't be embarassing in a few years time 'cos their clothes or hair aren't fashionable.

Anthrax Greatest Hits Live?.......2004-07-29

This live DVD has obviously had a lot of effort put into it, with lots of camera effects and split screens, and even the main menu is interesting (a split screen of the audience entering the venue and the band backstage). The sound is generally good, though to my ears the guitars could have been slightly stronger in the mix. It's a good show but, surprisingly considering the well-received We've Come For You All, there's only a woeful 4 songs from the new Anthrax album, with the rest of the 18 track set-list being geared towards Anthrax Greatest Hits live. Yes, the old songs are classics, but the emphasis is skewed a little too far towards celebrating past glories over promoting the new material. Still - essential for Anthrax fans. Comes with a bonus CD featuring 12 of the live tracks.

One of the greatest live bands!.......2004-05-02

This DVD is a MUST for every Anthrax fan. The setlist is very good (nice to hear The Belly Of The Beast singed by bush-the best version ever) and the sound is amazing! The bands energy on the stage is very high, and there is no minutes wasted for doing stopid solos, etc. Also the new guy,Rob Caggiano fits the band "like a glove". When I saw the band in Helsinki on the start of this tour, I think he was a bit callous, but now it is all gone. This DVD is very near perfect! There is only one thing to criticise: the viewing of this very skilled and own style having drummer,Charlie Benantes gamera angles! There is no gamera behind or the top of him, and his briliant work is seen moustly from the front. Thats the ONLY negative thing in the whole box. From the first minute to the end...just 100% great music!

Anthrax is in it's best performence ever!

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