Lineup: Joey Belladonna - Lead Vocals; Frank Bello - Bass Guitar, Vocals; Charlie Benante - Drums, Guitars; Scott Ian - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals; Daniel Spitz - Lead Guitar

Chicago bubbled over with excitement tonight as Masters of Metal, Anthrax, would reunite for a tour showcasing the original lineup with Joey Belladonna on vocals, Daniel Spitz, Scott Ian, Frank Bello, (who at the time was with Helmet), and Charlie Benante on drums. In the crowd were some of Chicago's metal celebs; Shaun Glass, Adam Zadel and Tim Schoefield from Soil, Dan Donnegan from Disturbed, and local boys Johnny and Kyle from Skank. As it turns out some of the men in Anthrax are local boys themselves. Despite their New York upbringing, Spitz and Benante both have familial ties here in the Chicago area.

There was also a surprise visit from the boys in Lamb Of God who were split off in two pairs of Mark Morton and Chris Adler, then Willie Adler and John Campbell and Randy Blythe going solo. All were seen banging their heads to several of the tunes and drinking especially the latter, Blythe who was seen having several beers. All in good fun though as the patrons and celebrities were treated to a thirty minute video presentation showing the history of Anthrax and the nearly ninety minute set.

The mostly over twenty-five crowd cheered and banged their heads in unison to all the tunes which included songs like, “Keep It In The Family”, “I Am The Law”, “Got the Time”, “Among The Living”, “In My World”, “Got The Time”, as well as a surprise performance of a song they said they wouldn’t do, “I’m The Man.” The crowd knew the words to every tune and even moshed with some of the young bucks in attendance, showing anthrax that they still have some of the best and most loyal fans around. All the members sported a black tee with red pentagram on the front and commemorating their twentieth anniversary on the back stating, “Anthrax 20".

Speaking of treats, the crowd treated Joey to a chant of, “Joey, Joey, Joey…” at the end of some songs and during the video the crowd booed when the report came up about Joey not being in Anthrax anymore.

Overall, all a great time was had by all. Anthrax still is a band that metal fans of all ages can appreciate. All hail one of the original metal masters, Anthrax, who is ready to tear up the world with their brutal attack. All hail and here’s to another twenty!

Setlist: Contact, What Doesn't Die, Got The Time, Caught In A Mosh, Safe Home, Room For One More, Anti-Social, Nobody Knows, Belly Of The Beast, Inside Out, Refuse To Be Denied, 604, I Am The Law, Only, Be All End All, Indians, Bring The Noise, (whiplash) *1st verse only

Interviews & other points of interest

Anthrax at the Dimebag Benefit Concert

Charlie Benante Interview

Joey Belladonna Interview

Anthrax 2006 Reunion Tour Review

Anthrax Reunion Tour 2005 Tour Dates

04/30/05 Chicago, IL House Of Blues
05/01/05 Chicago, IL House Of Blues
05/04/05 Dublin, IRE Ambassador Theater
05/05/05 Glasgow, UK Barrowlands
05/07/05 Nymegen, HOL Dynamo Festival
05/12/05 Brisbane, AUS Arena
05/14/05 Sydney, AUS Roundhouse
05/15/05 Melbourne, AUS Palace
05/16/05 Adelaide, AUS Heavan
05/18/05 Perth, AUS Lookout
06/09/05 Sövelsborg, Sweden Sweden Rock Festival
06/11/05 Nottingham, UK Download Festival
06/12/05 Monza, Italy Gods Of Metal
06/24/05 Le mans, France Fury Fest
06/25/05 Dessel, Belgium Graspop
06/26/05 Tolmin, Slovenia Metal Camp Fest
07/02/05 Löbnitz (near Leipzig), GER With Full Force
07/09/05 Athens, Greece Rockwave

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