We’ve known for a while now that Anthrax had headed into the studio last year to record a handful of covers. Just recently, it was announced that the EP, Anthems, would be released as a standalone album in March (it was initially thought to be for a special edition of Worship Music. The title track, so to speak, is streaming now on Rolling Stone. The cover of Rush’s “Anthem,” originally on their 1975 sophomore album Fly By Night, is a pretty reverent take on the original. Of course it’s heavier, but Joey Belladonna’s vocals comes pretty close to hitting the highs that Geddy Lee did. Here’s what drummer Charlie Benante told Rolling Stone about the song:
“When I was first learning to play drums, I would strap on my headphones, play along with [Rush’s live album All the World’s a Stage] and be transformed. I remember talking with Cliff [Burton] and Kirk [Hammett of Metallica] back when we first met, and we all agreed how much of an influence Rush was on all of us. I don’t [know] if you would hear anything that sounds like Rush in Anthrax’s music, but the passion, the drive, the musicianship and the appreciation is all there.”
Listen for yourself over at Rolling Stone, and check out the rest of the track listing here.
