“We’d like to give a big thanks to Anthrax for giving us this opportunity…” Mortal Sin’s vocalist Mat Maurer announced to the crowd, “Have you had a good time?”. The crowd did have a good time. Our very own legendary Australian metallers, Mortal Sin played a good consistent set, before gracefully retiring from the stage by asking the crowd, “Are you ready for Anthrax???”

The crowd was indeed more than ready to see the world’s favourite New York Heavy Metal titans, the “Kings of Speed Metal”, Anthrax. Dubbed alongside Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth, as one of “The Big 4” of 80’s Heavy Metal, this tour marks the band’s 20th anniversary. And although this tour is not made up of the original line-up, it is certainly the definitive line-up.

Upstairs a handwritten banner that read, “Australia Welcomes Back the Real Anthrax” hung over the balcony. The crowd was an enthusiastic and eclectic mix from ages ten to forty (I suspect many were on a “father and son night out”), in Misfits, Slipknot, System of The Down, and Iron Maiden t-shirts, united here tonight by the one of the founding forefathers of metal.

As Mortal Sin left the stage, the crowd eagerly awaited the metal legends to appear. We were pleasantly surprised by a documentary on the history of Anthrax as a pre-show for the concert. The crowd was particularly amused at the scene of Anthrax as special guests on the ‘90’s TV show, Married with Children (indicative of the band’s humour). The doco concluded with the promise, “Stay Tuned For More Metal”. We hear the theme song to The Blues Bros/Peter Gunn theme and before we know it, Scott Ian arrives on stage, shortly followed by, Joey Belladonna, Dan Spitz, Charlie Benante and Frank Bello, dressed in their Anthrax jersey uniform, looking like a team, and warming the crowd with their 1987 classic, Among The Living.

To witness these timeless avant-garde classics like, Caught In The Mosh, NFL, Got The Time and In My World, played live is a privilege. It’s obvious to see where contemporary metal/punk/hardcore bands get their influences from – a reflection of the true genius that is Anthrax.

Usually at a concert there are the songs that stand out the most. However, in this case, there were no “standout” songs… there were no “moments” – they were all “standouts”... and the entire concert was a “moment” to remember. It was awe-inspiring to see the band nail every note, every chord… on every song. Ian, Spitz, Bello, Benante and Belladonna all worked in unison to deliver an energetic and flawless performance – all this from a band that is actually twenty years old.

But despite being musical legends, it doesn’t seem like the twenty years of compliments have gotten to their heads.  They seem genuinely humbled by the crowd’s appreciation. Belladonna expressed his gratefulness by thanking the audience after nearly every song.

The band are infamous for pushing metal boundaries, challenging the metal establishment and constantly reinventing themselves, while staying true to who they are. It was particularly evident with the song, I’m The Man, where Belladonna rested his vocal chords and handed the mic over to Ian and Bello, who looked like they were having a ball. This post-modern hip hop/metal song exemplified their ability to be more than just another “thrash band”.

But the most anticipated song was of course, the Native Americans’ plight song, Indians. And the question on everybody’s mind was, “Will Belladonna wear his signature Indian headdress?” – indeed he did.

The show ended with the handwritten “Welcome Back” banner appearing on stage. Belladonna draped himself with the banner, while Scott Ian proudly holds up his Dimebag signature guitar, as the crowd cheered their hearts out. This Anthrax tour may mark a twenty-year milestone in their careers, but seeing this line up together once again after a ten-year hiatus was more like a milestone in our lives.

From the very beginning of the night to the very end, Belladonna couldn’t thank the audience enough. But by the end of the concert, it was we, who couldn’t thank them enough.