The Milkmans Music Blog: Anthrax, Testament, & Death Angel January 27 2012

This would turn out to be an interesting show! My first time seeing Anthrax. And with Testament to boot! It was myself and (as almost always) Tim. Both of us stoked for this show. Tim missed the first time I saw Testament. We had bought a parking pass for this one. We got there early for some reason so we parked and just killed some time sitting in the car before the show. I was January so it was to cold to stand outside just waiting. As we sat there, Tim joked about everyone that walked near the tour buses saying it was Chuck Billy. And then as one guy walked by and some guys came running up to him, and Tim said "Holy Shit! It really is Chuck Billy!" Those guys were getting their picture taken with him as we tried to hurry and grab the camera and get out there to meet him too. Alas, we were to slow and to far away. He was gone. Oh well.
As we made our way in, some guy from the venue was out front telling everyone that Scott Ian and Charlie Benante would not be here for this show and they were offering refunds. But, they also said there would still be a show! Now I know what you're saying, An Anthrax show without Scott and Charlie?! Is that even an Anthrax show? Well I'm here to tell you it is! We decided, like everyone else to stay. From the looks of it, I don't think anyone took the refund.
Now Death Angel is a band that I had always heard about, but never really got into. It makes me a little sad to think of all those years wasted not listening to Death Angel. Grade A Bay Area Thrash Metal right there! A short opening set, but a great one! They made a fan out of me tonight. As well as a few others I'm sure. Here's their set and some pics.
1. I Chose The Sky
2. Mistress Of Pain
3. Truce
4. Claws In So Deep
5. Buried Alive
6. The Ultra-Violence/Thrown To The Wolves

Up next, Testament! This band is so underrated. Quite literally some of the best musicians in the world in one band! And the most Metal Frontman ever! Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson are arguably the best metal guitar duo ever! Gene "The Atomic Clock" Hoglan on drums. The nickname says it all! Greg Christian is a phenomenal (and highly underrated) bass player. And then there's Chuck Billy! Not only does he have a killer voice, but he is without a doubt THE best Air Guitar player ever! I would go see Testament on a weekly basis if they toured my state every week. As always, this set was awesome. Here it is and a few pics.
1. The Preacher
2. The New Order
3. The Persecuted Won't Forget
4. Practice what You Preach
5. Over The Wall
6. Souls Of Black
7. Into The Pit
8. Electric Crown
9. Henchmen Ride
10. More Than Meets The Eye
11. D.N.R.
12. 3 Days In Darkness
13. Disciples Of The Watch

And now, How the Hell are they going to pull this Anthrax set off without Charlie and Scott? Well first of all you get Gene Hoglan on the drums! Probably one of the few drummers that can do Charlie justice. Then you leave the guitar work in the hands of a very capable Rob Caggiano. Now Scott's presence was obviously missed, but Rob was great! One of my favorite guitarist. and then you have the guys from Death Angel fill in on some of the songs. Now to say this set went off without any mistakes would be a lie, but considering how long they all had to put this together shows the professionalism in all of these musicians. And lets not forget Joey Belladonna and Frank Bello! Joey screaming his head off and Frankie soldiering on with I'm sure a heavy heart. All in all this was an amazing and unique show. As much as I would have loved to see all the members be there, you have to realize they are human too. Scott with some form of ailment and Charlie spending time with his dying mother (Frank Bello's aunt) . The rest of the guys really put on a Hell of a show! Here's the set list and some pics.

1. Earth On Hell

2. Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't

3. Caught In A Mosh

4. Antisocial

5. The Devil You Know w/ Rob from Death Angel

6. Indians w/ Ted From Death Angel

7. In The End w/ Rob

8. Got The Time w/ Ted

9. Medusa w/ Ted

10. Madhouse w/ Rob

11. Metal Thrashing Mad

12. I Am The Law