Artist: Anthrax Album: The Greater of Two Evils

Year: 2004
Duration: 1:27:49

A of the Album: The Greater of Two Evils by Anthrax

Anthrax is one of the most influential bands to ever emerge from the thrash metal scene of the 1980s. They've released countless iconic albums over the years, from the groundbreaking Among the Living to the experimental Stomp 442. In 2004, Anthrax released The Greater of Two Evils, a re-recording of their classic material with then-new vocalist John Bush. In this post, we'll take a critical look at the album and discuss its place in the band's discography.
The Greater of Two Evils is essentially a greatest hits album, with songs from the band's first six studio albums re-recorded with John Bush on vocals. The album's purpose was to reintroduce the band to fans who may have lost interest after the departure of the band's original vocalist, Joey Belladonna. The re-recordings feature updated production values and a heavier overall sound compared to the original versions.
The album opens with the track Deathrider, originally from the band's debut album Fistful of Metal. The updated version features blistering guitar work from Scott Ian and Rob Caggiano, but Bush's vocals lack the raw energy of Belladonna's original performance. The same can be said for other tracks on the album, such as Metal Thrashing Mad and Caught in a Mosh.
However, there are some standout tracks on The Greater of Two Evils. One of the best is the updated version of Antisocial from the 1988 album State of Euphoria. The new version features a killer guitar solo from Caggiano and Bush's vocals work perfectly with the song's melody. Another highlight is the updated version of Fueled from the 1995 album Stomp 442. The track's heavy groove and catchy chorus are perfectly executed by Bush and the rest of the band.
Despite these highlights, The Greater of Two Evils falls short when compared to Anthrax's classic albums. The re-recordings lack the spontaneity and adventurous spirit of the originals, and Bush's vocals can't match the intensity of Belladonna's. Additionally, while the updated production values may appeal to some listeners, they may come across as too polished and sterile to fans of the band's earlier work.
In conclusion, The Greater of Two Evils is an interesting addition to Anthrax's discography, but ultimately falls short when compared to the band's classic albums. While there are some standout tracks, the re-recordings lack the energy and spontaneity of the originals, and John Bush's vocals can't match the intensity of Joey Belladonna's. If you're a die-hard Anthrax fan, it's worth checking out, but newcomers to the band are better off starting with one of their classic albums.