ANTHRAX – Chile On Hell
September 19, 2014, 9 years ago
(Megaforce)
“I don’t have words to describe how I feel right now… you guys are the best fucking audience we’ve ever played to! Thank you so fucking much!” says guitarist Scott Ian – completely in awe – at the end of the new Anthrax DVD and Blu-Ray, Chile On Hell. Rewind to an hour and 45 minutes ago, when this disc – filmed May 10, 2013 at the sold out Teatro Caupolican in Santiago, Chile – was popped into the home player with cold beer and fresh popcorn at the ready. In the very first song, “Among The Living”, an audience member lights a roadside flare and proceeds to lead an absolutely huge circle pit. During “Indians” more flares are lit! How are such items smuggled into the venue? Even more perplexing is the fact that concert security does absolutely nothing to curb these potentially dangerous activities. But those in attendance don’t seem to mind; in fact they are super enthusiastic and overflowing with energy. Although Chile On Hell doesn’t feature the lavish production values of an Iron Maiden DVD, it sure as Satan gets the point across that “it’s a Madhouse.” In fact, so mad that the cameramen are actually on stage with the band, at times only inches away. As if to prove the point that the lens is too close for comfort, during the cover of AC/DC’s “T.N.T.”, vocalist Joey Belladonna actually grabs one of the video crew’s cameras and starts filming while singing – too funny. For “In The End”, Anthrax borrows a page from the Black Label Society playbook by draping their amps with flags featuring the images of Ronnie James Dio and Dimebag Darrell – the tune is written about and dedicated to both late, great metal stalwarts. Occasionally interspersed between songs is welcome off-stage footage including shots of Anthrax artwork utilized by the band over their 30 year career, very brief interview clips with Mike Portnoy, David Ellefson, and Zakk Wylde, as well as assorted random footage. Breaking into Slayer’s “Raining Blood” as tribute to Jeff Hanneman (R.I.P.) is super classy and incredibly well received. Personal favourites that made the extensive set list include: “Caught In A Mosh”, “Fight ‘Em ‘Til You Can’t”, and “Antisocial”. Be sure to stick around after the credits for a cool little feature entitled Randoms & Righteous Scheduling.