This week, thrash metal band Anthrax released its long awaited eleventh studio album “For All Kings,” which is the band’s sixth album featuring Oswego native Joey Belladonna on lead vocals.

The first track on “For All Kings” is “You Gotta Believe,” which opens with a short musical intro, then slams right into a heavy guitar riff, reminiscent of the band’s earlier records. “For All Kings” picks up right where the band left off on their last release “Worship Music,” which many believe is a return to form for the band after the John Bush era.

Gone are the days when the band made songs about novels and comic books such as “Among the Living,” which was based on the Stephen King novel “The Stand” and its main antagonist Randall Flagg or “I am The Law,” which is written about the comic book character Judge Dredd.

This is evident in the new song “Evil Twin,” which drummer Charlie Benante said was inspired by the various mass shootings that have occurred over the last several years.
On this record, Anthrax maintains a combination of a heavy edge and melody on songs such as “For All Kings,” “Breathing Lightning,” and “Suzerain,” while finishing out with the fast paced “Zero Tolerance.”

A new addition to the band is lead guitarist Jon Donais, formerly of Shadows Fall, who joined the band as a touring member in early 2013, replacing long time guitarist Rob Caggiano, and was confirmed as a full member of the group later that year. Donais’ playing style on this record makes it feel like he has been with the band for much longer than a few years. Along with the core of the band, Benante, bassist Frankie Bello and rhythm guitarist Scott Ian are as strong as they ever were. Belladonna’s vocals may be the best they have ever been on this record, creating an album that is sure to please even the most diehard Anthrax fan.

Anthrax burst onto the scene in 1984 and has since been considered one of the leaders of the thrash metal scene. Since then, there has been no looking back.

Along with the others of the Big Four: Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer, they continue to be the standard bearers for metal. Throughout their 30-plus year career, Anthrax has continued to evolve musically by not really changing at all. Whether it be the original year with Belladonna or the in between years with John Bush as lead singer, Anthrax has proved time and again why they stand the test of time. That is why the cover art for this album is so fitting, giant crowned statues of the band members.

Fans have waited many years for this record. However, from the intro of “Gotta Believe” all the way through the ending of “Zero Tolerance,” “For All Kings” does not disappoint and was well worth the wait. To quote the band’s rock/rap single “I’m the Man,” “So, as this rap is winding down/It’s plain to see, we wear the crown.”

Rating: 4.5 out of 5