Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Anthrax's *real* best album, April 14, 2006
If it hadn't been for poor marketing, this probably would have been one of the biggest hits of 98. After Stomp 442, which suffered from many songs that pretty much sounded alike, Anthrax increased their range for Volume 8 and came up with a collection of songs that are heavy, funny, and dynamic.
The only thing that stops it from being a 5-star winner is the fact that it's not all that groundbreaking. Still, it's far better than anything from the Belladonna years.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Anthrax continue to stretch out, November 9, 2005
Another reviewer noted that Dimebag Darrel played on this recording, and he did indeed assist on an album that saw a few different things going.
Anthrax still delivered heavyweight riffs, powerful vocals from Jon Bush and some incisive, biting tracks. "Born Again Idiot," that title pretty much says it all, and other killers were "Catharsis" and "Hog Tied."
There were a number of tracks were you heard some very different sounds from the band, with members taking up some different instruments and trying out some new stuff. Hardly filler.
The comedic side of the guys is still there. "Cupajoe" is hilarious (and is on my answering machine--keeps the telemarketers away!).
Doesn't matter what purists think--this album rocked, and I enjoyed it highly.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another Monster Anthrax Album, April 13, 2007
Originally released in 1998, Volume 8: the Threat Is Real was the third album of "the Bush era". I was always aware of Anthrax growing up, but aside from their goofball "I'm the Man" single, the band never really made much of an impact on me until they replaced vocalist Joey Belladonna with Armored Saint's John Bush. Bush's energetic and intense yet still melodic vocal style just seemed like such a better fit for Anthrax's brand of thrash, and I still view that lineup's debut - 1993's Sound of White Noise - as the best Anthrax album ever.
Volume 8 is the band's first album since being unceremoniously dumped by their record company. Some have argued that the previous two Anthrax albums (1993's Sound of White Noise and 1995's Stomp 442) were mediocre efforts, causing the label to kick the band loose. Anyone can listen to either of those albums and come away unimpressed needs to have their heads examined! Volume 8 is another high-octane performance by the new and improved Anthrax, and picks up right where Stomp 442 left off. It is undeniably a metal album, albeit a more diverse one than previous efforts. You certainly wouldn't have found a country-esque song like "Toast to the Extras" on Among the Living! Guest appearances by Pantera's Phil Anselmo and Dimebag Darrell reinforce Volume 8's metal credentials
Anthrax is a band that gets smarter and more creative with each release, yet still manages to maintain their "metal thrashing mad" aggression. The songs on this album, for all of their melody, remain completely heavy and undeniably "metal". Volume 8 may seem a bit uneven at times, but with so many tracks there are bound to be a few "off" moments. Still, the fact remains that an average Anthrax song is still going to be better than many other bands' best efforts.
The 2003 reissue of Volume 8 features three bonus tracks, four if you count the fact that the previously hidden (and incredibly powerful) song "Pieces" is now a separate track. In addition to a new studio track called "Giving the Horns", the band gives us another pair of diverse covers - Radiohead's "the Bends" and DRI's "Snap/I'd Rather Be Sleeping". When it comes to cover songs, Anthrax never ceases to amaze me with their unorthodox choices. How many other metal bands will cover both Iron Maiden and Radiohead? If you're one of the faithful who bought Volume 8 the first time around, you may want to consider replacing your old version.
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