Customer Reviews

Stomp 442

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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Originally released in 1995, Stomp 442 was the second 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.

Stomp 442 carries on the same tradition of Sound of White Noise. It's great to hear an album so unrepentantly metal at a time when metal had become a 4-letter word to most music buyers. This was not some weak attempt at grunge. Despite the absence of founding guitarist Dan Spitz, Stomp 442 had all of Anthrax's signature thrash style, but with an intensity that would have been right at home on a hardcore punk album. Songs like "Riding Shotgun" and "Drop the Ball" are just punishing. Bush's vocals are as good as ever, and seem to me to be the glue that holds the whole album together. Stomp 442 doesn't have the immediate impact that Sound of White Noise had, but it doesn't take too many spins before you realize you're getting a first-rate metal album, and one that is more than worthy of the Anthrax name.

NOTE: This particular reissue of Stomp 442 features some multimedia content. If you're looking for the best possible version of the album, you'll want to look for the 2001 reissue, which features 4 bonus tracks, including covers of Celtic Frost's "Dethroned Emperor", Huskur Du's "Celebrated Summer", and KISS's "Watchin' You".

This is the second re-issue of this album, from their european carrier Nuclear Blast. It features the full 11 track album and 2 videos for Nothing, and Fueled, great additions to my collections since I do not have them any where else. This album was put out during a time when metal was not at the top anymore, and it sticks true to anthrax's fast, heavy brand that had come together with the addition of John Bush. I highly recommend this along with the "Sound of White Noise" re-issue on nuclear blast that comes with a separate 4 video VCD. You will not be dissapointed.

Accept no substitute! Stomp, Volume 8 & White Noise are the true/mature Anthrax. Forget the shorts, forget Joey(no offense). The Bush era 'Thrax far outshines anything they've done before or since!

"Sound of White Noise" ushered in the John Bush era for Anthrax, but "Stomp 442" cemented it. Often overlooked, this was one of Anthrax's best albums. (Being that it came out in 1995, I think it was overwhelmed by all the crappy grunge music that was clogging up hard rock radio)
Belo, Bush, Ian and Benante didn't seem to mind not having a true "lead guitarist" at this time... and their songs didn't really need it. They did just find tapping into the talent of Paul Crook (who I believe would end up on the road with them on the "442" tour) and the classic wild wailings of close friend Dimebag Darrel (who would "fill in" for 'Thrax up until his untimely death).

Buy this, turn it up and rock the crap OUT!! You'll wonder why you haven't owned this disc until now.

Top Tracks: Fueled, Riding Shotgun, In A Zone, American Pompeii