Persistence of Time

Persistence of Time is an ambitious fifth album on which Anthrax, around angular riffs and urgent rhythm, digs more multifacetedly and deeply into thrash metal’s aggression. Deliberately restraining the positive humor of the previous works, it foregrounds the taut urgency derived from hardcore punk and heavy, hard riffs. A record strongly showing the band’s serious, mature side. From the dramatic, long development of the opener “Time” to the astonishing speed of “Got the Time,” a hit cover of Joe Jackson, every song is engaging, while cuts like “Blood,” “Keep It in the Family,” “In My World” and “Belly of the Beast” convey the work’s fullness. By restraining the former humor, conversely its hard tension stands out all the more. A record that greatly widened its expression as thrash metal by strengthening a darker, more introspective air. Also an important work capping the maturity of the early golden age during Belladonna’s tenure. After this, the band would face a turning point of a major vocalist swap. A powerful, engaging, fulfilling work showing Anthrax’s serious evolution.