The Greater of Two Evils

The Greater of Two Evils is a reconstruction-type work on which Anthrax re-illuminates its past classics through the current band’s playing and the latest production. In particular, it has ambitious content: many early signature songs, released during Joey Belladonna’s tenure, were fan-voted and newly re-recorded with John Bush’s vocals. Rather than merely tracing past material, by carefully reinterpreting it with a mature voice and modern sound pressure at the time of recording, the band’s sure change can be clearly confirmed. More than subtle differences of tempo and key, the figure of Anthrax at the time strongly appears precisely in the details of the playing — how the choruses are layered, the distance of the guitar and how the rhythm sinks. The way Belladonna-era classics are sung by Bush’s voice is a truly fresh, intriguing experience for fans. You can enjoy comparing the appeals of the two different vocalists. An intriguing project work with a different kind of interest from the fresh surprise of a new album. It also serves as a fine entry for looking back on a milestone of the band’s long career. Reaffirming the old signature songs while letting you read how Anthrax organizes and re-grasps its history, it is a valuable record — a work well worth hearing for fans.