GIG REVIEW: Anthrax & Alien Weaponry – Sydney 28th March

Anthrax played live at the Enmore Theatre, supported by Kiwi thrash powerhouse Alien Weaponry, and my ears are still ringing in the best way possible. From start to finish, it was a relentless evening of pure metal energy.

Huge credit to Alien Weaponry. They kicked off their set with a powerful haka, immediately commanding attention and setting the tone. Their groove-heavy thrash hit hard, and the use of te reo Māori gave everything a distinct identity that really stood out. They had the pit moving early and by the end of their set the room was already buzzing. Not an easy crowd to win over, but they absolutely nailed it. Their energy was relentless, their riffs tight, and by the time they finished, the crowd was fully warmed up for Anthrax.

Then the slow burn intro detonated into pure chaos as the main act, Anthrax, took the stage. A massive screen dropped over the stage, playing a gritty, almost comic-style animated sequence while the tension built in the room. You could feel everyone leaning forward, waiting for that first hit. The second the screen lifted, it was instant chaos. No easing in, no buildup, just straight into tight, loud, relentless thrash.

Anthrax hit the stage like a band with everything to prove. The pit erupted instantly and somehow managed to keep that intensity going the entire set. It never dipped. Scott Ian was incredible to watch all night. Every riff was razor-sharp, locked in, and delivered with that signature precision. But more than that, you could see how much he was enjoying it. Constant movement, feeding off the crowd, completely dialed in. He is the backbone of that sound and it shows.
Scott Ian is the engine, and he never lets it stall. Those riffs were relentless, precise, and hit with serious force from start to finish.
Joey Belladonna turned the entire room into part of the band. He was constantly lifting the mic out toward us, getting the entire crowd shouting back every chorus, feeding off that energy and amplifying it. And vocally, he is still hitting everything clean. Those highs are still there.
Charlie Benante hits like a hammer and never misses. Every strike felt deliberate and powerful, driving the whole show forward without a second of slack.

The setlist was built for impact, not nostalgia. It sent the place into overdrive, “Madhouse” had everyone yelling every word. You could literally feel the floor shifting under your feet. One of those moments where the whole room just locks into the same energy.

The pit was absolute chaos, but never out of control. Bodies were going down constantly, but hands were always there to pull people back up just as fast. Huge credit to security as well, who were switched on all night and kept everything moving safely without killing the vibe.
The crowd was in constant motion from the first note to the last. A real mix of longtime fans and newer faces, all locked in together, no standing around, just movement and shared energy from front to back.

The Enmore Theatre barely contained the chaos. Sweaty, loud, packed, and pushing its limits all night. Exactly how a thrash show should feel.
Decades in, and Anthrax still sound dangerous. Still sharp, still heavy, and still delivering a live show that hits just as hard as ever.,

written & photos by Daniel Farr – Farski Photography

Anthrax