Saturday, February 18, 2023 brought me back to the Fox Theater in Oakland California. It also brought me back to 1987 and being 19 years old again. That was the last time I had seen Anthrax live. Fortunately, they are all the same members as it was all those years ago. They are celebrating they 40th anniversary this tour and this was the next to the last stop. Supporting this tour were Black Label Society and the Bay Area’s own, Exodus.
When Exodus hits a Bay Area stage, you know it! These hometown favorites had the crowd going from the first note. Before they hit the stage, Queen‘s “We Will Rock You” blasted out over the speakers from the PA system. When Exodus took the stage, they broke right into “The Beatings Will Continue (Until Moral Improves)”. I have covered quite a few shows, including punk and hardcore shows. I have never had to dodge so many crowd surfers as with this show. It seemed like a never-ending flow of them. Shredding their way through the set, it’s no wonder they have become a Bay Area icon. Zetro’s vocals were spot on, and the rest of the band played with an enthusiasm that would start a tour, not end it. Perhaps it was because of playing to the home town crowd? Maybe these guys are just that intense.
Exodus are:
Tom Hunting – drums, lead vocals
Gary Holt – guitars, backing vocals
Steve “Zetro” Souza – lead vocals
Jack Gibson – bass, backing vocals
Lee Altus – guitars
Set list:
1). We Will Rock You (Queen song)(recorded intro)
2). The Beatings Will Continue (Until Morale Improves)
3). A Lesson In Violence
4) Blood In, Blood Out
5). Blacklist
6). Piranha
7). Prescribing Horror
8). Bonded By Blood
9). The Toxic Waltz
10). Strike of the Beast
11). We Are the Champions (Queen song)(recorded outro)
When Back Label Society hits the stage, they hit the stage with a mission. Zakk Wylde instantly takes control of the stage as they break into “Funeral Bell.” The whole set is run like a well oiled machine only stopping to acknowledge the Oakland Chapter Berzerkers in attendance. The only hiccup was a piano issue at the beginning of “In This River”. This song is dedicated to, mostly Dimebag Darrol and Vinnie Paul Abbott, but to all the people we have lost over the years. Always a favorite part for me is the duel behind the back guitar solos with Zakk and Dario towards the end of the set.
Black Label Society are:
Zakk Wylde – lead and rhythm guitar, lead vocals, piano, rhythm guitar, bass
John DeServio – bass, backing vocals
Dario Lorina – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals
Jeff Fabb – drums
Set list:
1). Whole Lotta Love / War Pigs (recorded intro)
2). Funeral Bell
3). The Beginning…At Last
4). Destroy & Conquer
5). Destructive Overdrive
6). Heart Of Darkness
7). A Love Unreal
8). You Make Me Want To Live
9). In This River (dedicated to Dimebag Darrell Abbott and Vinnie Paul Abbott)
10). Trampled Down Below
11). Set You Free
12). Fire It Up
13). Suicide Messiah
14). Stillborn
Anthrax opened up with something I had never seen before. A short documentary of musicians touting the praises of the band’s 40-year history. Hitting the stage with “Among The Living” both the band and the crowd exploded. At the start of “I Am The Law”, they introduced Oakland’s own Robb Flynn of Machine Head as a guest guitarist. Throughout the night, Joey would hold the mic out to the crowd and let us sing the chorus. The audience participation is always one of the best parts of live music. “Bring The Noise” was one of the crowd favorites for sure despite it only being a short version. The show wrapped up with “Indians” and left everyone wanting a few more. Alas, it was over and it was time for us to go.
Seeing Anthrax again after all these years was so amazing. Their exuberance on stage brought me back and made me feel young again.
Anthrax are:
Scott Ian – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, lead guitar, lead vocals
Charlie Benante – drums
Frank Bello – bass, backing vocals
Joey Belladonna – lead vocals
Jon Donais – lead guitar
Set list:
1). Among The Living
2). Caught in a Mosh
3). Madhouse
4). Thrashing Metal Mad
5). Keep It in The Family
6). Antisocial (Trust cover)
7). I Am The Law (with Robb Flynn of Machine Head)
8). Hymn 1
9). In The End
10). Only
11). Got The Time (Joe Jackson cover)
12). Bring The Noise (Public Enemy cover)(first verse only)
13). Indians
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Photographer of about 10 years, I have been shooting concerts for about 8 of those years. I started to get serious about concert photography about 6 or 7 years ago and now try to shoot as many as I can. I shoot mostly rock but, have done some country and big band stuff. I love music and since I am nowhere close to being a musician, this is a way I can be a small part of what, in the words of Henry Rollins, “gets me through the highs, the lows and everything in between”.
