THERE’S ANTHRAX UNDER THE COVERS

Let’s be real: Anthrax have a not-great track record with covers. Sure, their version of Trust’s “Anti-Social” is just swell, but did anyone like that Refused cover they had on Worship Music last year? And when’s the last time you put on the Bellardini-Bush duet version of “Ball of Confusion?”

So, keeping that in mind… what would your reaction be if I told you that Anthrax are releasing a covers EP?

Well, hey, guess what? ANTHRAX ARE RELEASING A COVERS EP!

It wasn’t a secret that the band recently recorded a handful of cover tunes — they’ve even added one of those songs, Black Sabbath’s “Neon Knights,” to their live repertoire as of late (video here) — but the purpose of the recordings went unannounced until yesterday. Although, funny story, the Sabbath cover actually isn’t even gonna be on this thing, because it’s really intended for a Dio tribute album that Wendy Dio is curating. Which actually makes me really curious to know who else is gonna be on that album.

But I digress!

The songs the EP will feature are AC/DC’s “T.N.T.,” Boston’s “Smokin’,” Journey’s “Keep on Runnin’,” and Rush’s “Anthem.” Those all seem to me, on the surface at least, to be not-especially-obvious choices of songs for ‘Thrax to thrash, but also totally appropriate selections (note that three of the originals featured vagina vocals, a style to which Joey Bellardini is well-suited).

But like I said, I’m skeptical of the whole thing. I know, I know, “So what else is new?” But c’mon, that cover of “New Noise” was INTOLERABLE. I get the heebie-jeebies just thinking about it. [shudders]

We still don’t know what the EP is called yet, but it will be out in September to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the release of Worship Music. Because that’s an anniversary that needs commemorating. WE WILL NEVER FORGET.

-AR

[via The PRP]