(Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat)
A new video shows Anthrax, uncharacteristically, performing an acoustic version of their song, “Breathing Lightning.” The video features band members sitting semicircle in a recording studio, sitting on stools and strumming acoustic guitars, while vocalist Joey Belladonna adds percussion and belts his distinct pipes. Anthrax played the song during a recent appearance on the Sirius XM radio station Opie Radio.
The song comes off Anthrax’s 2016 album For All Kings, their much anticipated 11th studio album, and their first album that features new guitarist Jonathan Donais. The thrash metal band, founded in 1981, is now in its fourth decade of existence. While the band has evolved, both in members and musical innovation, their consistency is remarkable. Anthrax has been, and still is, a relevant name in metal. This month they continued their legacy on the road with with the start of a Fall 2016 tour, alongside popular metal band Slayer.
Whatever you think of Anthrax, skeptic or cult follower, this acoustic rendition of “Breathing Lightning” is worth a listen. Band lyricist Scott Iansays that the song “is about pushing forward and not letting anything stand in your way.” That message may come across more clearly in this nuanced recording of the song, an easy-listener friendly version, stripped of the harsh metal sounds that might otherwise turn one away.