Anthrax (noun). A serious bacterial disease of sheep and cattle, typically affecting the skin and lungs. It can be transmitted to humans, causing severe skin ulceration or a form of pneumonia.
Last night at The Riverstage (7 March) in Brisbane, the crowd were the sheep/ cattle and Anthrax the disease as they played the part of incubator to Slayer's Final World Tour.
Unfortunately, a combination of traffic and scheduling caused me to miss Behemoth. But seriously, since when have metal bands ever started before the sun sets?
The Riverstage is an impressive venue, with a sloping viewing platform that provides an all-encompassing view of the stage no matter your viewpoint.
It is custom-made for live concerts and aside from the rain clouds that had threatened throughout the day, there was no better place to be to celebrate all things metal than on the outskirts of Brisbane's CBD overlooking the river.
Granted, that tranquility was about to be shattered by the menacing sounds of heavy metal music, but the outdoor setting provided a fitting backdrop and location to the ensuing carnage.
The crowd was surprisingly subdued while Anthrax's minions scampered about stage setting things up. But as the strains of 'Number Of The Beast' began to filter through the PA the static tension lifted considerably and when Anthrax launched into Pantera's 'Cowboys From Hell', the game faces went on and the sea of bodies began to press forward.
Anthrax could rightfully headline their own Australian tour, but tonight their role was in support of their thrash-metal brothers and they played their part to perfection.
Running through songs from only four of their albums, the set included 'I Am The Law', 'Be All, End All', 'Caught In A Mosh' and 'Evil Twin', but it was their two cover renditions that sent their fans into a frenzy.
'Got The Time' provided the spark that set Scott Ian racing around stage, with his frenetic playing and youthful exuberance seeming to magnify with each song. 'Antisocial' still sounded as vibrant and relevant as it did when Trust first released it.
By the time Ian gave his customary speech/ battle call towards the end of the set Anthrax had once again proved their worth with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer.
As the curtain drew across the front of the stage, the Slayer chant began to reverberate gaining voice and traction with each break between backing tracks. If you strained your eyes you could see the silhouetted form of Marshalls as they were strategically placed on stage to maximise output, with an eerie calm falling over the near capacity crowd as the stage lights came on and Slayer's pre-show entertainment kicked into gear.
With a swirling mess of inverted crosses and pentagrams painting the front of stage, the curtain dropped with the stage awash with red lights giving it the appearance of the very place that now started to bubble underneath our feet.
Launching into 'Repentless' then 'Blood Red', Slayer started the show the same way they have literally thousands of times throughout their distinguished career – with a mastery and air of musical arrogance that is befitting their stature in the genre.
There was no time for self-appraisal or teary farewell tales, the night was about celebrating the musical legacy of one of the finest thrash bands ever, and in honour of that Tom Araya and co. ripped through a selection of songs from nearly all of their studio albums, barely stopping to take a breath let alone waste time speaking.
There was a poignant moment about half an hour in when Araya stood centre stage silently, bathed in spotlight and and taking the spectacle in. As the crowd yelled requests and sentiments his eyes remained closed, soaking up what was to be the band's final hour on stage in Brisbane.
Ripping through 'Mandatory Suicide', 'Payback', 'War Ensemble' and 'Seasons In The Abyss' every song was greeted with rapturous applause and respect.
To single out individual songs as highlights would be an affront to the rest of the set list, with each note returning different audience members retreating into past memories.
Slayer have always been a band by the people, for the people, letting their music dictate terms rather than trend nor image. They come from a time when ego WAS a dirty word and throughout their tenure have refused to conform to anything they oppose.
They are, put simply, a metal institution and to see them go out still at the top of their game on their own terms was as much a privilege as a pleasure.
With the rain clouds again gathering menacingly, it seemed even the Gods favour Slayer and as the set drew to a close and the imminent performance of 'Raining Blood' drew nearer the raindrops began to steadily fall in what would prove to be the ultimate salute.
Rain started to fall during 'Hell Awaits' and relaxed somewhat by 'South Of Heaven', but as the familiar intro to 'Reign In Blood' blasted through the speakers the rain gathered momentum and by the mid-point of the song was bucketing down.
Despite this no one ran for cover, with the timing and significance of the moment hammering home the reality that Slayer were about to finish their set.
'Chemical Warfare' and 'Angel Of Death' closed proceedings, with the majority of the crowd refusing to budge as the house lights came on and signified there would be no more encores.
Tom Araya immediately retreated to the right of stage and stood in silent tribute, looking over the crowd and smiling warmly. It was not an act of valour or one done out of necessity, it was a heartfelt gesture wholly for himself with his legion of fans invited along for the emotional journey.
As the remaining band members spread over the stage and had their own personal words with the Slayer faithful, Araya stood defiant, transfixed to the spot and sharing a moment that will long remain in the memory of an appreciative army of supporters.
As he reached out to grab the microphone the crowd cheered and the Slayer chant became almost deafening, but Araya waited patiently for silence before making his closing statement to people that have supported him and his band for nearly four decades.
“Thank you very much,” he managed despite visually choking up. “I'm gonna miss you guys.” We will miss you too Tom.
