Worship Music | ||||
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Studio album by Anthrax | ||||
Released | September 12, 2011 | |||
Recorded | 2008–2011 | |||
Genre | Thrash metal, groove metal | |||
Length | 65:43 | |||
Label | Megaforce, Nuclear Blast | |||
Producer | Rob Caggiano, Jay Ruston | |||
Anthrax chronology | ||||
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Singles from Worship Music | ||||
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Deluxe edition | ||||
Professional ratings | |
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Aggregate scores | |
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 75/100 |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
About.com | |
Allmusic | |
The A.V. Club | B |
The Boston Phoenix | |
Classic Rock | 8/10 |
IGN | 8.5/10 |
Los Angeles Times | |
Loudwire | |
Metal Forces | 7/10 |
PopMatters | 7/10 |
Worship Music is the tenth studio album by American thrash metal band Anthrax. The album was released on September 12, 2011 internationally, and on September 13 in the United States. It was the band's first album of original material since 2003's We've Come for You All, the first full-length Anthrax album to feature vocalist Joey Belladonna since 1990's Persistence of Time, and the final album with guitarist Rob Caggiano prior to his departure in January 2013.
The album's creation was a lengthy process, with work beginning as early as November 2008. The album was delayed due to issues with the departure of vocalist Dan Nelson, and the re-joining of John Bush who ultimately decided not to commit to the album. The band eventually reunited with Belladonna, and finished recording in April 2011. Worship Music was positively received upon release, with critics describing it as "fresh and eruptive as ever" and qualified it as a return to form for the band. The record debuted at number 12 in the United States, their highest chart position since 1993's Sound of White Noise.
In the December 2008 edition of his monthly SuicideGirls column, Food Coma, guitarist Scott Ian revealed that he had been in the studio working on the new Anthrax album since November 4. Ian went on to say that drums, bass, and rhythm guitar had been arranged for 19 tracks, and that the process of recording the vocals had begun. "We should be mixing at the end of January and soon after that giving birth to a really pissed off, loud, fast and heavy child." In a subsequent May 2009 Food Coma column, Ian announced that the album was being mixed by Dave Fortman, whose previous credits include albums by Evanescence and Slipknot.
The album was initially scheduled to feature Dan Nelson on vocals. However, following the events later that year, he was no longer a member of the band. When asked what would happen to the completed studio album featuring Nelson's vocals, Ian said: "Until we have a new singer, I can't tell you what will happen to the record. We'll probably change a few things on it, including the vocals." Ian also indicated that the album's release could be delayed until 2010. It was assumed that John Bush was going to record new vocals for the album after his reunion with the band. However, this did not happen. In an interview at the time, Bush said he was trying to re-record vocals for some of the songs that had already been recorded.