Review by JD on February 8, 2009.

The innovators of classic thrash has gotten this DVD re-released for what ever reasons. These guys are legendary in the annals of Metal History. They, along with a handful of other have shaped the Thrash scene and made it possible for more extreme metal to surface and spread across the globe.

This DVD shows the time when they were bold enough to cross Rap music and Metal into a whole new style. I have to say, back then as now... I did not jump on the bandwagon. I do respect that the band had the brass balls to do something like this when they collaborated with Public Enemy knowing the risk of having one hell of a backlash by the metal world back then... but the stuff that is rap influenced that they ended up doing over the years, was not my cup of tea.

The DVD has some real metal on it, blasting out such Anthrax classics as 'A.I.R' and 'Indians' in concert that show them at their finest. I loved that they were both musicians and showmen as well It is when they start doing stuff like 'I'm The Man' and the song with Public Enemy, 'Bring The Noize' that they lost me. I love innovation and expansion of the normal ways of music in general, but I always thought that Rap and Metal was not a good thing to combine... and should never do so. I never liked the whole groundswell of this music ever, and the DVD does not change that..

I may get some fiery hate mail from fans of Korn and the other NU-Metal people... but I know that they will respect my opinion in the end. I do not like rap in metal, but I would not stop it either. I have let go of the distaste I had with the whole rap/Metal thing. They are metal regardless of what they choose to put into it.. the brotherhood (and Sisterhood) of metal needs to stand together even when we don't see eye to eye all of the time..

With what Anthrax has done here on their live concert DVD "Live Noize", I will give it what I think is a fair assessment. It is not my style for the most part, but it was done well and shows a band that dares to push the boundaries into a whole new arena. They are also one of the originals, and needs to have respect thrown in.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 9
Originality: 10 (they did start the whole rap/metal thing)
Overall: 8

Rating: 8.4 out of 10