Here’s another old review.

This one definitely could have been improved in a number of areas, but you learn as you go.

I hope you enjoy.

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It’s been a small number of years since Worship Music graced our ears.
It was received well and considered a strong album in their discography.
Now that For All Kings has been released, it’s fair to say that they’ve added another solid album to their name.

After a fairly dramatic introduction, “You Gotta Believe” kicks into a higher gear. It powers along, slowing down at one point for a groovier section (showcasing the shredding skills of Jon Donais for the second of many more times) before picking up pace again.
It gives a good idea of how the album flows.

Tracks alternate between being fast, slower and groovier, and grandiose frequently enough to prevent the album from dragging for the most part. When going through the last few tracks, it can feel a bit tiresome at times after “Blood Eagle Wings”, but this doesn’t last very long.

Whilst there are plenty of melodic sections that, combined with the lyrics, provide hopeful and encouraging moments, the heavier section help enhance their intensity.
Being mostly about social ills and injustice, it is easy enough to go overboard with being melodic or heavy to the point where the listener can become apathetic.
Anthrax struck a good balance here, moving in and out of each when it should happen. The listener doesn’t end up feeling overwhelmed as a result.

The lyrics themselves vary between cheesy and tasteful, but considering the strength of the performance that Joey Belladonna gives, they don’t drag the album down.
Whilst he sounds very much at ease in his delivery, he also sounds as though he’s not giving anything less than 100%, providing the punch the lyrics require.

This is not to say the rest of the band don’t give it their all. Charlie Bennante’s drumming is never in excess (even when it’s fast and relentless) and Frank Bello’s bass provides a solid bottom end, never leaving the songs feeling empty. Scott Ian riffs away with strong conviction whilst Jon Donais adds in highly technical-sounding solos that are long enough to be impressive without overstaying their welcome. This works well in the album’s favour as everyone’s working for the good of the song rather than the good of themselves.

Anthrax have never been the thrashiest band, but that’s not a problem.
They do what they do well and it pays off on For All Kings.
Worship Music was a good album in many ways and it helped to renew interest in Antrhax. They could have ridden on its success for a long time.
They probably could have churned out something pretty quickly after it, but they don’t sound like a band that are content with doing so.
They worked hard at furthering what they knew instead of phoning it in.

For All Kings is an album that sounds very much like a band wanting to work together and succeeding.
It’s an album that can be celebrated as one of their strongest.