Written by Brian Furman, September 30, 2016 at 8:39 p.m.
Slayer and Anthrax are legends…
That is complete common knowledge, but we should at least put it out there. Both bands could stand up on the stage and literally piss all over their fans and people would still show up and chant their names in unison.
Both bands have been around 30+ years, pretty much invented thrash metal, and are part of the Big Four – with Megadeth, and Metallica… and are so badass that the mere mention of their names send shivers through the spines of the masses and calls minions into the streets…..
That was definitely the vibe on Tuesday, September 27th in Orlando, where both bands split the bill with openers, and legends in their own right, Death Angel, were at the Hard Rock Live in Citywalk, just outside Universal Studios. The venue was great, but I couldn’t get over the fact that the Shrek ride was a few feet away, a far cry from the dingy, sticky-floored punch-palaces where both bands originated in New York and California respectively.
Anthrax played the part of opening band for Slayer, and turned their hour long set into a twisted panic of thrash with the energy and stamina of bands half their age. Lead singer Jory Belladonna’s croon sounded crisp as he sprinted back and forth around the perimeter of the stage as if being chased.
The band was clearly having fun, interacting with the crowd with guitarist Scott Ian screaming “Do you like thrash metal” at the top of his lungs before ripping into “Caught in a Mosh” from their 1987 album Among the Living.
Touring on the heels of their excellent 2016 release For All Kings, the band only played a handful of songs from that record, warming up the crowd with live favorites “Got the Time” from Persistance of Time, “Anti-Social” from State of Euphoria, and live staple “Indians” from Among the Living.
The rememergence of Belladonna to their live set has energized the band, giving the older songs a jolt with the band on point, sounding better than ever. However, Anthrax’s set felt rushed, and it was clear by the end that they were just getting started. New bands take note.
Slayer came to the stage with a white cloth draped in front blocking the audience’s view to the stage, their pentagram logo emblazoned on the front. When the curtain dropped the band ripped into “Repentless” from the newest record of the same name. There are only two original members left in the band, vocalist and bassist, Tom Araya, and lead guitarist Kerry King, but no one seemed to care. Former Exodus guitarist Gary Holt filled in for the late Jeff Hanneman, and veteran drummer Paul Bostaph rounded out the quartet with both doing justice to the bands material.
Kerry King strutted out looking like a 23rd century biker with chains on his belt as big as his head and coupled with tattoos that wind down his skin like a river. Araya and his bass smiled above the crowd as if he knew a secret, slowly sauntering around the stage in a deliberate fashion taking it all in.
The band played 20 songs from all over their catalog leaning heavily on their 2016 release, Repentless, but sprinkling in crowd favorites, “Disciple” from God Hates Us All, “War Ensemble” from Seasons in the Abyss, and “Fight Til Death” from the bands debut, 1983’s Show No Mercy. The last six songs of their set put the bar out of reach as they rattled off “Seasons in the Abyss”, “Hell Awaits”, “South of Heaven”, “Raining Blood”, “Black Magic”, and “Angel of Death” in consecutive order.
Both Anthrax and Slayer showered the Orlando crowd with praise as they screamed along with the every note, and every Kerry King stare. The pit was alive and the drinks were flowing, with the minions awaiting both bands trek back to Florida.
