Anthrology: No Hit Wonders (1985-1991) (DVD)
Island Records, 2005
REVIEW BY: Paul Hanson
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 11/29/2005
The DVD version of
this release includes 13 "videos."
Among the treats on this release are four live videos of the band,
prepping us for our look at their parallel release
Alive 2 on Wednesday and Thursday. These videos all include
vocalist Joey Belladonna and guitarist Dan Spitz.
This collection starts with a live-in-Germany version of the frantic "Metal Thrashing Mad." It is interesting that the band includes this song as it was 1) released on the Fistful of Metal album and 2) that album came out prior to Joey Belladonna joining the band. Early fans will appreciate the tip of the hat to a classic Anthrax song. "Indians" and the live version of "Among The Living" capture the band in their primal forms. The video of "Indians" is an edited version of the album version. "Living" captures the band as an intense live act.
The other videos do serve their purpose of showing the band as it has progressed over the years. There is a striking contrast between the performance video of "Among The Living" and the performance video of "Got The Time." The "Among The Living" video has dark lighting and seems to focus more on the band in a live environment, onstage. "Got The Time" has equally dark lighting, but focuses directly on the energy that comes from when the band plays live. The band is set up in an apartment and comes across as just "jamming" and getting off on their music. The other noteworthy video is for the group's collaboration with Public Enemy, "Bring Tha Noize." This video serves as a visual testimony to the energy that comes through on the audio version.
As with most DVDs, some bonuses are included. The "I'm The Man" live montage captures the humor of the band. The video commentary by the band offers insight into the idea behind the videos as well as the back story of where the band was when the video was filmed.
This DVD is an entertaining retrospective collection that shows how Anthrax's sound has remained heavy throughout the years, and showcases the band visually at various points in their career between 1985 and 1991.